Confirmed: Ravichandran Ashwin Traded To Delhi Capitals

Kings XI Punjab have finally traded Ravichandran Ashwin to Delhi Capitals and brought an end to the entire saga surrounding the future of the spinner. Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia confirmed the news on Thursday. Ravichandran Ashwin’s future in IPL was a talking point for quite some time now.

Kings XI Punjab were set to release the off-spinner earlier but the equation appeared to have changed after they roped in former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble as their team director. As per media reports, Kumble wanted to retain Ravichandran Ashwin but the spinner himself was keen to move to Delhi Capitals.

“Everyone is happy with this deal. We are happy, Ashwin is happy and Delhi is happy. We were in talks with three teams but have finally come to this conclusion. We wish Ashwin the very best,” Wadia told PTI.

With Ravichandran Ashwin moving to Delhi Capitals from Kings XI Punjab, left-arm spinner J Suchith has headed in the opposite direction. Delhi have also paid Kings XI an additional sum of INR 1.5 crores as part of the exchange. Ashwin, meanwhile, will get INR 7.6 crores, his auction value from the IPL 2018 auction. The deal is subject to ratification by the IPL Governing Council.

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Ashwin led the Kings XI in last two seasons but without much success. Kings XI failed to make it to the playoffs in either of the two seasons. In two seasons, he picked up 25 wickets for the side. Overall, the 33-year old is one of the most consistent performers in IPL since making his debut in 2009.

So far, he has picked up 125 wickets from 139 games at an excellent economy rate of 6.79. He was an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings side that won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. With Ashwin now headed to Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab are likely to name KL Rahul as their captain.

Meanwhile, the IPL transfer window closes next week, on November 14, and more announcements of the trade-offs are likely to be made before that. The auction for the next season will take place next month.