R Ashwin Sends Rishabh Pant Warning To Delhi Capitals In Mega Trade Talks With Chennai Super Kings

The Delhi Capitals have reportedly entered trade talks with the Chennai Super Kings, involving their captain Axar Patel. The spin-bowling all-rounder could be on his way to CSK, though it isn't clear which player DC would want in return. Analysing the trade rumours, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that although he is finding it difficult to wrap his head around this trade, there are a few things that Delhi need to be wary about if they are letting Axar go.

For Ashwin, Delhi could want the likes of Dewald Brevis or Noor Ahmed in place of Axar if they let Axar go. Since Kuldeep Yadav has already left the franchise for Lucknow Super Giants, in a trade deal involving Rishabh Pant, the franchise is short on spin-bowling options.

"Why is this trade even possible? Think about why this trade could even make sense. A player of this commodity can give them balance. If Axar comes, they will not need Akeal Hosein at all. Why is Delhi even thinking, if at all they are? Where Ganguly was the mentor at Pretoria Capitals, Brevis did well single-handedly, and he will rate him. They might go after him. And Brevis is with CSK. They let Kuldeep go, so Noor Ahmed could be enticing too," he said in a video on his YouTube channel 'Ash ki Baat'.

Axar's potential departure would leave Delhi with the big task of finding a new captain. Though Pant has led the franchise in the past, Ashwin doesn't want the left-hander to be given that role. For Ashwin, veteran opening batter KL Rahul is a much better option to fulfil the void that would be left by Axar if the trade deal goes through.

"It might be possible. It can happen. KL Rahul is a good and experienced option. Pant needs to play freely. If someone can convince him not to take captaincy and play freely as a player, it is Dada (Ganguly). No one else can. It may not be a bad call," he said.

Should Delhi Capitals Let Axar Patel Go?

From a pure cricketing standpoint, the Delhi franchise should hold onto Axar Patel rather than trading him to Chennai. Quality Indian all-rounders who can bowl four tight overs of left-arm spin and bat anywhere from No. 5 to No. 7 are among the rarest assets in the IPL, making Axar virtually irreplaceable in DC's core tactical blueprint.

Also, sending Axar to Chepauk, a venue tailor-made for spinners, would solve CSK's biggest tactical missing piece while directly empowering a rival team. Unless DC get an extraordinary swap that addresses their core weak spots, such as a proven Indian middle-order powerhouse or marquee fast bowler, letting go of their captain and most reliable utility player makes very little cricketing sense.

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