The Indian Premier League’s 2026 trade window has erupted into a fierce tug-of-war, with three of cricket’s biggest powerhouses—Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR)—all locked in high-stakes negotiations for Delhi Capitals’ star batter KL Rahul. The scramble for Rahul’s signature has turned this off-season into one of the most dramatic and closely watched player sagas in IPL history.
KKR lead early charge, eye KL Rahul as captain
KKR have set the tone for the battle, aggressively pursuing a trade deal with Delhi Capitals. KKR’s interest is driven by a string of lacklustre seasons and a desperate need for a charismatic Indian leader. After enduring a disappointing 2025 campaign—with just five wins and an eighth-place finish—team management parted ways with Shreyas Iyer and handed the captaincy to Ajinkya Rahane. However, KKR’s leadership vacuum and the absence of a reliable Indian wicketkeeper-batter have left the squad exposed. KL Rahul, celebrated for both his batting prowess (539 runs in IPL 2025) and his calm leadership, has emerged as the perfect fit for the Knight Riders reset, potentially taking on the captain’s cap and wicketkeeping gloves in 2026.
CSK pivot to Rahul as MS Dhoni’s successor
Chennai Super Kings, long rumoured to be eyeing Sanju Samson for the post-Dhoni era, have pivoted dramatically, now zeroing in on Rahul as the ideal successor to the legendary captain. Sources indicate CSK’s management is moving on from their Samson pursuit, shifting gears in recognition of Rahul’s experience and ability to anchor the side as both leader and top-order mainstay. With the 2026 season likely to be the first without MS Dhoni in over a decade, CSK’s interest in a steady, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has never been higher—Rahul fits that bill perfectly and could be the defining figure of the team’s next generation.
RR in the fray amidst internal shake-up
Rajasthan Royals are also active in the trade frenzy, facing their own leadership and roster uncertainties as at least six players—reportedly including captain Sanju Samson—have drawn trade interest across the league. While RR have made exploratory approaches for Rahul, their focus appears split between external targets and managing internal churn at the very top.
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Will Delhi Capitals let Rahul go?
Despite the relentless interest, Delhi Capitals hold the key to this high-stakes chase. Rahul, signed for ₹14 crore in 2025, quickly became Delhi’s batting linchpin and one of their few bright spots. With KKR rumored to be readying an all-cash offer close to ₹25 crore and even dangling players like Venkatesh Iyer, Delhi faces a tough dilemma: trade away their consistent star for a monumental package, or double down and build their squad around him for 2026.
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