IPL auctions: Ravichandran Ashwin goes to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 7.6 crore

On Saturday, all speculations came true as Chennai Super Kings did not get the spin ace. Being the second player to go under the hammer, Ashwin was picked for a whopping Rs. 7.6 crore by Kings XI Punjab. There was some intense bidding after which Kings XI sealed the deal.

Last week, while interacting with scribes in Chennai, CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had indicated that the franchise will go all out to get Ashwin back on board.

Eyebrows were raised when Chennai Super Kings did not retain its star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the Indian Premier League (IPL) this time. That also led to speculations that he might not be picked by the Chennai franchise.

On Saturday, all such speculations came true as Chennai Super Kings did not get the spin ace. Being the second player to go under the hammer, Ashwin was picked for a whopping Rs. 7.6 crore by Kings XI Punjab. There was some intense bidding after which Kings XI sealed the deal.

 

Last week, while interacting with scribes in Chennai, CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had indicated that the franchise will go all out to get Ashwin back on board. “As I have said it is always a tough call. With Ashwin, you know we had done the same thing in the past. We will definitely go for him (Ashwin) in the auction. Ashwin definitely being a local lad, we want a lot of local players to be part of CSK,” Dhoni had said.

“We have two right-to-match options but having already retained three capped Indians, don't think we can use it. We will have to buy him out in the auction. As of now, it is tough,” Dhoni had said.

But on Saturday, the Chennai player went to Punjab.

Ashwin has 100 wickets to his name at an average of 24.99. His economy rate of 6.54 is the best for bowlers who have played in over 100 matches in the competition.