So why has the much-talked-about Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson swap not been executed yet? It's been nearly 48 hours since the Expression of Interest (EoI) was initiated by both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to receive a formal request for approval.

The delay, it is learnt, is due to a procedural complication because of the inclusion of a third player in the deal. As is well known, the third player happens to be an overseas cricketer and the Royals' overseas quota is already full. As per the regulatory compulsions, they cannot accommodate Sam Curran of England in their roster unless they release one of their existing foreign players.

Adding to the complexity is the meager balance in their player purse - they are left with only Rs 30 lakh, while Curran's auction value is Rs 2.4 crore. As of Tuesday (November 11), the Royals already have eight overseas players - Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius - in addition to 14 Indian players.

Jadeja for Samson is not an issue since it involves a straightforward exchange of two Indian players from one team to the other. The Royals currently have 22 players in their squad, meaning they can add up to three more (the permitted squad strength being 25), provided they have enough purse balance and remain within the overseas player cap.

The matter can be fixed by releasing an overseas player of more than Rs. 2.4 crore fee. As reported earlier, the Royals are believed to be considering releasing their two Sri Lankan spinners - Wanindu Hasaranga (Rs 5.25 crore) and Maheesh Theekshana (Rs 4.40 crore) - anyway, which should create 'overseas space' and sufficient funds.

That, however, may only happen after the November 15 retention deadline, when the franchises are expected to announce their list of retained and released players. The trade may go through by then, unless the Royals announce their retentions a little ahead of the deadline.

With more time required for the deal to go through, there always remains a possibility that one of the franchises or even one of the players could have a change of heart. Will that really happen? "Possible but unlikely," said a source in the know of the whole trade. "I cannot guarantee it will not be stalled. But having come this far, the likelihood of one of them backing out is less."

Clearly the ball is in the Royals court to expedite the process if they are serious about acquiring Jadeja.