• Home
  • Who Said What
  • You Were Released R Ashwin Blames Punjab Kings For Not Backing Varun Chakaravarthy

"You Were Released," R Ashwin Blames Punjab Kings For Not Backing Varun Chakaravarthy

Arnav Chopra

Varun Chakaravarthy with Ravichandran Ashwin (Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com)Varun Chakaravarthy with Ravichandran Ashwin (Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com)

Prolific former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed a bigger story from the Indian Premier League (IPL) back in the day regarding current mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin, while talking to Chakaravarthy, gave a massive insight.

Ashwin Lauds KKR For Backing Varun While Criticising Punjab

After reaping the rewards of backing Tamil Nadu mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, Kolkata Night Riders went on to win IPL 2024 on the back of Chakaravarthy's explosive spinning abilities.

Currently teammates with veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin at Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025 for Dindigul Dragons, the duo appeared on Ashwin's YouTube channel on the show "Kutty Stories" and discussed Chakaravarthy release.

After making the first-mover advantage, Punjab Kings, who had Chakaravarthy in the IPL 2019, played him in one game where he took a wicket, but soon released him after the end of the year as alongside their then-skipper Ravichandran Ashwin.

Chakaravarthy was then bought in the auction by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2020 edition, which saw him get on the big stage, as he turned out to be one of the finest spinners in IPL history with 100 wickets so far in the cash-rich tournament.

Speaking about the incident, Ashwin revealed that before he was traded to Delhi Capitals ahead of the season, he requested Punjab management to keep hold of Varun in the side, but they didn't listen to him and released him, after which KKR seized the opportunity.

"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."

This turned out to be a massive moment in IPL history, as Chakaravarthy is now among the most in-demand players among the current crop of bowlers.

Chakaravarthy And Ashwin Set The TNPL Stage Alive With Top-Notch Performances

Currently at third position on the table, the Dindigul Dragons, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, have four wins in six matches, as they are coming off a solid victory over Nellai Royal Kings by four wickets, where Chakaravarthy and Ashwin both claimed two wickets each.