If you’re a cricket lover and like to keep tabs on everything related to it, then you must’ve encountered the buzz around the possibility of Sanju Samson donning Chennai’s yellow jersey the next IPL season. That’s what the thrilling IPL trade window is all about! It may sound a little enigmatic to non-fans, but it’s basically a backstage marketplace where teams can trade players before the big auction. Let’s go a bit deeper into the question of what is trade window in IPL, so that you can get a feel of what might go down in the IPL 2026 trade window.
Related Article：Leaked Move? All Signs Point to Sanju Samson in CSK
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What is Trade Window in IPL?
Well, for those who might still be wondering – what exactly is this “trade window,” and why is it such a big deal for IPL franchises? It’s merely an opportunity for the teams to trade players, either for cash or other players, or occasionally both, depending on the player’s value.
As per reports, CSK are interested in Sanju Samson if he’s open for a trade.#SanjuSamson #ChennaiSuperKings #IPL #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/v42MJUtIKT
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 1, 2025
Because it enables teams to adjust the composition of their squad, solve certain shortcomings, or let go of players who no longer suit their plans without having to wait for the erratic mega-auction, it’s an essential strategic instrument. For teams eyeing the IPL 2026 season, this window is their first opportunity to get a head start on building a championship-contending squad.
After the question, what is trade window in IPL, the most frequently asked question is what the rules and restrictions are.
When Does the IPL Trade Window Open and Close?
So, the IPL trade window actually happens in two main parts. The first part kicks off pretty soon after the last IPL season wraps up (for IPL 2026 trade window, that was around June 10, 2025, just a week after the 2025 final) and stays open until about a week before the big player auction. Then, the second part opens right after the auction finishes and keeps going until about a month before the new IPL season starts. During both of these times, teams can start chatting about trading players.
Player’s Permission
Now, here’s a super important rule: a player has to say ‘yes’ to a trade. They can’t just be moved without their permission! This means players actually get a say in which team they end up on. Trades usually happen in two ways: either one team just pays cash to another team for a player, or two teams swap players with each other.
Affect Team Budget for IPL Auction
When it comes to money, trades totally change a team’s v for the auction. If a team trades away a player, they get that player’s contract money added back to their budget, so they have more cash to spend at the auction. But if they bring in a player through a trade, that player’s contract money gets taken out of their budget. And get this, sometimes a player’s salary can even be changed (up or down!) as part of the trade, with special rules about how any extra money or a pay cut is split between the player and the team letting them go.
Every Player Can be Only Traded Once
Oh, and to keep things from getting totally out of whack and stop one team from becoming too ridiculously strong, there are usually some cool limits in place. Like, a player can generally only be traded once in a single season – no endless swapping! Plus, teams have to make sure their squad isn’t too small or too big (think usually between 18 and 25 players, like building a perfect cricket squad).
Salary Cap and International Stars
And they absolutely cannot spend more than the total money they’re allowed (that’s the salary cap, which for IPL 2026 is looking like a hefty ₹151 crore). And here’s a fun one: if an overseas player is part of the deal, they need a special ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from their home country’s cricket board before anything is final.
Past IPL Trade Window That Rocked the Boat
The potential Sanju Samson swap brings back memories of the times when the IPL trade window seriously flipped the script for teams!
🚨 No Hardik Pandya for MI just yet – he’s been retained by GT!
Live blog: https://t.co/51rwoY3xCR pic.twitter.com/6gvKpBGy4D
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 26, 2023
Hardik Pandya（GT -> MI）
Do you recall Hardik Pandya’s outrageous return to the Mumbai Indians from the Gujarat Titans just prior to the 2025 season? As you might imagine, the entire league was rocked by that huge, all-cash agreement. It totally altered both teams’ appearances, demonstrating how drastically these first actions might alter the course of events.
Ravichandran Ashwin（Kings XI -> DC）
And then there was Ravichandran Ashwin, who moved from Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) to Delhi Capitals. That was another huge one, proving that teams are always looking to grab those experienced match-winners to really beef up their lineup. These aren’t just boring transactions; they’re like bold declarations of intent, you know?
Samson’s Saga：A Glimpse into 2026’s Drama
Alright, so this brings us right back to the IPL 2026 trade window, and guess who’s the talk of the town? Sanju Samson! Seriously, the buzz linking him to the Chennai Super Kings is getting louder by the minute, hinting at a potential blockbuster trade that could just blow everyone’s minds.
𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐒𝐊?😳💛
There are some speculations that Sanju Samson might leave RR & CSK are considering him to buy in auction or a trade deal! pic.twitter.com/JKkbCYYe6O— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) June 29, 2025
If this actually happens, the Rajasthan Royals could be looking at a massive pile of cash, or maybe even a swap for some key players from CSK’s squad, which would totally reshape both teams from the ground up. Well, it’s all just whispers and speculation for now, but if this move goes through, it’s definitely going to be one of the most talked-about deals of the 2026 trade window. It just highlights how much strategic genius and pure, unadulterated drama go down in the IPL trade window!
