R Ashwin Slams Punjab Kings For Not Backing Their Players in IPL
Ashwin reveals Punjab Kings ignored advice to retain Varun Chakaravarthy, who later starred for KKR and hit IPL milestone
Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a subtle dig at Punjab Kings for not backing mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy during the early years of his IPL career.
Speaking on his YouTube show Kutty Stories, Ashwin revealed that he had urged the Punjab management to retain Chakaravarthy, but his advice was ignored.
Chakaravarthy was bought by Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in the IPL 2019 auction. He played just one match that season, picking up one wicket, before being released.
Ashwin, who was Punjab’s captain at the time, said he had tried to convince the franchise to keep Varun, but they decided otherwise.
“Before I moved on to Delhi on trade, one thing I told PBKS is to not leave you, but you were released. You joined KKR and the rest is history,” Ashwin told Varun on the show.
Kolkata Knight Riders picked up Chakaravarthy in the next auction, and since then, the Tamil Nadu spinner has transformed into one of the most consistent bowlers in the league.
He now has 100 wickets in IPL history and was one of the standout performers in KKR’s 2024 title-winning season.
Ashwin, Chakaravarthy Shine in TNPL 2025
The duo currently plays together for Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025. The team is having a good run in the tournament, with four wins in six games.
In their recent match against Nellai Royal Kings, both Ashwin and Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each to help their side clinch a four-wicket win.
