IPL 2019: Varun Chakaravarthy is a Back-up Spinner Who Adds Value to Kings XI Punjab - Preity Zinta

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) co-owner Preity Zinta termed mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy as the backup spinner who adds value to the franchise in the long run. Meanwhile, KXIP roped in the Tamil Nadu born spinner for a whopping sum of Rs 8.4 crores at the auctions earlier this month.

Confirming that Ravichandran Ashwin will continue to lead the KXIP this season, Zinta cited the reason behind picking Varun for such a massive amount.

“Varun Chakaravarthy is an underexposed mystery bowler along with being a backup spinner who will add value to the team. Kings XI Punjab has always wanted to give chance to untested talent and Varun is a long-term investment for us,” Zinta told PTI.

“I feel that with guidance from coach Mike Hesson, he (Varun) will be able to hone his capabilities and contribute to team’s success,” she added.

Preity Zinta seemed happy that Kings XI were able to pick players whom the management thought as the missing link from the last edition.

“We opted a thought through strategy for the 2019 VIVO Indian Premier League auctions. We wanted to pick up players that could fill in the missing gaps and create a remarkable team line-up.

In conclusion, she added that her team is ready to adapt to any conditions if the mega tournament has to move out of India.

“We have faced such scenario in the past (2009 in SA and 2014 in UAE) and are adequately ready for the upcoming season,” she signed off.