Kings XI Punjab’s mentor Virender Sehwag names R Ashwin as their captain for IPL 2018

Besides Chennai Super Kings, Ashwin also played for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016

By: Karan Nanda |
February 26, 2018 4:14 pm

India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 11. KXIP mentor and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag made this announcement on a Facebook live chat.

During the IPL 11 auctions held in Bengaluru on January 27, KXIP paid a whopping Rs 7.6 crore to purchase Ashwin after his former franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), sent him into the auction pool.

Besides CSK, Ashwin also played for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016.

Ashwin owns superb stats in India’s own T20 league. In 111 matches played so far in the IPL over the years, Ashwin has claimed 100 wickets with best bowling figures of 34/4.

Ashwin also has the experience of captaining in the past. He was the captain of Dindigul Dragons side in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and led them to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Previously, KXIP have had seven overseas captains in the past, including 4 Australians.

We have a new #KingOfTheNorth! Sheron, give a big welcome to the Protector of the Realm! Our new captain, @ashwinravi99! #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/pKyHeTvCls

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) 26 February 2018

Kings XI Punjab full squad:
Axar Patel (Retained, Rs 6.5 crore), Ravichandran Ashwin (Rs 7.6 crore), Karun Nair (Rs 5.6 crore), KL Rahul (Rs 11 crore), David Miller (3 crore Retained via RTM), Aaron Finch (Rs 6.2 crore), Yuvraj Singh (Rs 2 crore), Marcus Stoinis (Rs 6.2 crore Retained via RTM), Mayank Agarwal (Rs 1 crore), Ankit Singh Rajpoot (Rs 3 crore), Manoj Tiwary (Rs 1 crore), Mohit Sharma (Rs 2.4 crore Retained via RTM), Mujeeb Zadran (Rs 4 crore), Barinder Sran (Rs 2.2 crore), Andrew Tye (Rs 7.2 crore), Akshdeep Nath (Rs 1 crore), Ben Dwarshuis (Rs 1.4 crore), Mayank Dagar (Rs 20 Lakh), Pradeep Sahu (Rs 20 Lakh), Chris Gayle, (Rs 2 crore)

KXIP’s decision of picking Ashiwn as captain over players like Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul among others is worthy or not only time will tell. What’s your take on the matter? Share with us in the comments section.