IPL 2018: Is Sehwag Quitting 'Kings XI Punjab'  Franchise?

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta slams Sehwag badly after the team's defeat against Rajasthan Royals. News are that angry Sehwag could quit the franchise. Virender Sehwag is considered as one of the most fearless batsmen in his playing days, found himself at the receiving end of a vitriolic verbal barrage from Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta on Tuesday, after the Kings failed to chase a modest target of 158 against Rajasthan Royals.

The argument became so heated that we have news that Sehwag may quit King X1 Punjab.  Kings XI mentor Sehwag’s five-year association with the franchise, jointly owned by Preity, Ness Wadia, and businessman Mohit Burman, could end with this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Those who are conversant with the altercation said Preity approached Sehwag even before the players had retired to the change rooms after the match and questioned him about the ‘tactics’ used during the game.

According to media news, Preity launched into Sehwag's decision for sending skipper Ravichandran Ashwin in at number three, ahead of more accomplished batsmen such as Karun Nair and Manoj Tiwari against the match with Rajasthan Royals. Sehwag's this move backfired as Ashwin fell for a duck. The source said Sehwag initially played it cool. “However, when Preity continued to blame him, saying ‘unnecessary’ tinkering with the playing XI had led to a spate of defeats, Sehwag tried to reason with her." Sources also revealed that Sehwag has been facing a problem with Preity Zinta as she is continuously interrupting him in his work.

“Viru had told the other owners to rein in Preity. He told the owners that he’ll not comment on Preity’s acting chops and she should refrain from talking about his cricketing acumen,” a franchise source said. Those close to Sehwag told that he kept his cool and is not commenting because he doesn’t want the players to lose their focus, especially when they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. When this newspaper sent him a message asking whether he was denying the incident, he chose not to respond.