IPL: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) co-owner Ness Wadia reveals the reasons behind not trading out Ravi Ashwin

A few days ago, it was learned that Ravi Ashwin, who played for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the last two seasons, would be traded to the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, it didn’t quite materialize and the experienced Indian off-spinner will be turning out for the Punjab franchise in the forthcoming season as well.

Anil Kumble, the newly appointed head coach of KXIP, was keen to retain Ashwin, who fetched a price of INR 7.60 in the 2018 IPL auction. In the meantime, Ness Wadia, the co-owner of the KXIP, put forth the reasons behind not trading the Tamil Nadu cricketer to the Capitals.

“The (KXIP) Board had a rethink and it realised 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 was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.

Under Ravi Ashwin, KXIP has failed to qualify for the playoffs

In both the previous seasons, KXIP started the IPL on a promising note. Unfortunately, both times, their campaign fell apart in the second half. Even as in 2018, KXIP finished seventh, in 2019, the Punjab team ended sixth on the points table after the round-robin stage.

From a personal front, Ashwin was innovative and effective, albeit a few of his decisions backfired. As far as Kumble is concerned, he replaced Mike Hesson in the Punjab setup. Hesson is currently with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as director cricket operations.

Talking about Kumble, Wadia called him ‘breath of fresh air’. Moreover, he believes that the former Indian leg-spinner has it in him to make KXIP live up to its true potential. Wadia feels that his experience in the coaching field will work wonders for the Punjab team.

“Anil is really a breath of fresh air. He is so cool, calm and collected. We are fortunate to have a relationship with him. Likewise, he sees it as an opportunity to take KXIP into something which it has the potential to be. Last two seasons, we were the best team in the first half but somehow lost focus and momentum in the second. I really don’t know what happened.

“He will bring a lot of calmness to the team and discipline most definitely. He will inspire players to really optimise their own talent without trying too hard. His rich coaching experience will help us tremendously,” Ness Wadia added.

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