The Punjab based franchise was one of the eight teams that were part of the inaugural edition of the IPL, in 2008
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have changed their name to Punjab Kings. One of the eight initial franchises in the Indian Premier League, KXIP will use their new name from the 14th edition of the league, in 2021. A formal communication had already been made to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Approval was also granted for the same. Punjab have been laying down breadcrumbs for a major announcement for some time.
🤐🤷♂️🤭🤫#SaddaPunjab https://t.co/ifMAXDwxYR
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) February 17, 2021
They finally broke the news via their social media handles. IPL 2021 player auction to take place in Chennai on February 18
Co-owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, and Karan Paul, and coached by Anil Kumble, Chandigarh-based KXIP have nine slots to fill ahead of the 2021 IPL auction on 18 February in Chennai. IPL 2021 auction: 292 players, including 164 Indians, up for grabs
Punjab finished sixth on the points table in IPL 2020 with the same points as the two teams below them, but with a higher net run rate. Their only solace came in captain KL Rahul winning the Orange Cap. Rahul’s men will be looking to bring in some fresh faces for a first title win.
Punjab’s finest season was in 2014, under George Bailey, when they reached the IPL final (and qualified for the Champions Trophy) for the only time. They finished runners-up in the IPL and reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. However, barring 2014 and 2008, they have never made it to the top four of an IPL.
IPL 2021 is supposed to take place in April and May this year, in India. The 2020 season of the league had to be moved to the UAE following the COVID-19 pandemic.