Kings XI Punjab To Trade Ravichandran Ashwin To Delhi Capitals

Kings XI Punjab: Amid Delhi smog, the smog over the ace spinner R Ashwin’s future in Kings XI Punjab has finally cleared. Ashwin is set to bid adieu to Kings XI Punjab and join Delhi Capitals.

Earlier, there were reports that Kings XI Punjab were eager to release Ashwin after the spinner failed to lead the team to any significant success in the last two seasons. During both the seasons, Kings XI Punjab failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Delhi Capitals showed keen interest in grabbing Ashwin and were in negotiation with Kings XI Punjab, but the deal failed initially. If reports were to be believed, the reason for the failure of the deal was Kings XI Punjab not getting 2 players in exchange for Ashwin.

Later, the Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia decided to retain Ashwin, calling him the “integral part” of the team.

“The (KXIP) Board had a rethink and it realized that Ashwin is an integral part of the team. There were discussions with Delhi Capitals but those discussions never came to fruition. The way he plays his cricket and his performances speak for him,” Wadia had said.

However, another chapter was added to the story after the arrival of Anil Kumble as director of cricket operations at Kings XI Punjab. Kumble’s reluctance to keep Ashwin in the leadership role put question marks over Ashwin’s future at KXIP again.

Now, as the latest reports have surfaced, Kings XI Punjab have finally reached a deal with the Delhi Capitals and Ashwin is set to be traded in exchange of 2 players.

The Mumbai Mirror has reported that the two players to be traded are the New Zealand star Trent Boult and the Karnataka all-rounder J Suchith.

After Ashwin departure, it is likely that KL Rahul will take over as the captain of Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2020.

“Yes, that is very much a possibility because Rahul is not only one of the senior players, but also understands the working of the team and the strengths and weaknesses of those in the team,” a source from Kings Xi Punjab was quoted saying.

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