IPL 2020: KXIP trade R Ashwin to Delhi Capitals; get Rs 1.5 crore and spinner Suchith in return

New Delhi, Nov 7: Ending days of speculations over his future, IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab on Thursday (November 7) traded off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.5 crore and Karnataka spinner Jagadeesha Suchith.

Besides Suchith, KXIP had also asked Delhi for New Zealand pacer Trent Boult as part of the Ashwin trade-off but that did not materialise.

"Everyone is happy with this deal. We are happy, Ashwin is happy and Delhi is happy. We were in talks with three teams but have finally come to this conclusion. We wish Ashwin the very best," KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia told PTI.

The senior India spinner's exit from the franchise means Karnataka batsman KL Rahul will be leading the franchise in the upcoming season in 2020. Rahul has been opening the innings for the franchise ever since joining the side in 2018 season. The talented right-handed batsman has been the best batsman for the franchise in the last two seasons.

IPL: Ashwin all set to join Delhi Capitals, KXIP likely to get two players in trade-off

Ashwin is expected to be paid Rs 7.6 crore, his auction value, by Delhi. A formal announcement will be made before the IPL transfer window closes on November 14.

Under Ashwin's leadership, KXIP showed a lot of promise in the first half of the past two seasons before losing momentum in the second half. They finished seventh in 2018 and sixth in 2019.

IPL 2020 players' auction on December 19 in Kolkata

The Tamil Nadu off-spinner made a strong comeback in the home Test series against South Africa after warming the bench in the West Indies, where Ravindra Jadeja was preferred as the sole spinner in the playing eleven.

KXIP reached the semifinals in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 before making the play-offs just once in 2014 when they finished runners-up. Now with the legendary Anil Kumble on board, the franchise is aiming to end its title drought.

(With PTI inputs)