It is that time of the year when the announcements of players getting swapped or traded in the Indian Premier League are going to be heard frequently. Not just players, franchises have also started announcing new support staff for IPL 2020.
Among high-profile names, there were reports in the past that Rajasthan Royals are looking to trade opening batsman Ajinkya Rahane to Delhi Capitals. Speculation was also rife that Kings XI Punjab is willing to swap captain Ravichandran Ashwin win either of Royals’ bowling all-rounders in Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham.
As far as appointing new support staff is concerned, Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in former New Zealand and Knight Riders captain Brendon McCullum as head coach.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore have included former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson and former Australia batsman Simon Katich as Director of Cricket Operations and head coach respectively.
Ravi Ashwin to Delhi Capitals?
Speaking to the reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of a teachers’ conclave in the national capital, Delhi Capitals mentor Sourav Ganguly also expressed interest in Ashwin. “We would be more than happy to have [Ravichandran] Ashwin if KXIP is ready to release him,” Ganguly was quoted as saying.
Despite last playing limited-overs cricket for India during the tour of West Indies in 2017, it is intriguing to know that franchises are making efforts to have Ashwin in their team.
Just our captain blessing your Twitter feed ♥#SaddaPunjab @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/57Pv185XKh
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) July 31, 2019
In 14 matches during IPL 2019, Ashwin dismissed 15 batsmen at an average of 26.66, an economy rate of 7.27 and a strike rate of 22. Overall in the IPL, Ashwin has picked 125 wickets in 139 matches at an average of 26.48, an economy rate of 6.79 and a strike rate of 23.39.
