NEW DELHI: After reports emerged that Rajasthan Royals were set to trade their captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the deal appears to have taken another twist, with RR not keen on including the England all-rounder, The Indian Express reported.

However, the Royals appear interested in acquiring Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana to strengthen their pace attack. But CSK are unwilling to release him, as the young pacer is expected to play a bigger role for the franchise in the coming years.

The report further stated that Royals were eager to acquire an Indian spinner as part of the trade for Samson and had been targeting Jadeja from the outset. In fact, before finalising the deal, former captain MS Dhoni, current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, and head coach Stephen Fleming held extensive discussions with Jadeja.

"Dhoni was involved in the discussions with Jadeja to gauge his interest and only after the all-rounder too agreed on a move to Rajasthan that further talks took shape," the report mentioned.

Samson has spent a majority of his IPL career with the Royals whom he has also led since being named their full-time captain in IPL 2021.

Samson has represented RR, the winners of the inaugural IPL in 2008, for 11 years and after the conclusion of this year's edition, the wicketkeeper-batter had admitted that he was looking for a change and wanted to be released by the franchise.

Jadeja, who was a member of the Rajasthan Royals in the first two IPL editions, has spent a majority of his career at Chennai Super Kings where he has not just been one of their frontline players, but was also promoted to captaincy when MS Dhoni stepped away from the role before the 2022 edition.

The 27-year-old England all-rounder Curran has been a part of CSK as well as Punjab Kings franchises.

For the trade off to proceed, both RR and CSK will be required to provide expression of interest to the IPL governing council and once the players provide their written consents, the two teams will have to work out the final agreement, which also would be ratified by the governing body.

(With PTI Inputs)