Overview
Kings XI Punjab have been the traditional underachievers of the Indian Premiere League (IPL). Kings XI Punjab are on the way to revamp before the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). If the reports are to be believed the Punjab-based team will be changing their name and logo before the auction for the 2021 IPL. Kings XI Punjab henceforth will be called Punjab Kings. The franchise, which is owned by the Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, and co-owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia and Karan Paul, are reportedly welcoming the new season of the IPL by revealing a new name on the eve of the IPL auction, February 17 in a reportedly grand launch. Hope that brings some luck to now called Punjab Kings. Kings XI Punjab(now Punjab Kings) almost qualified for the knockouts last season by winning last 6 out 7 matches, so one can easily say that the mental toughness of the team is a thing to look in. The management consists of tenured ones like Anil Kumble and Wasim Jaffer. KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran had been the standout performers of the last season and they have only improved after that.
News from the Franchise
Kings XI Punjab will become the latest team after the likes of Delhi Capitals (Delhi Daredevils) and now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (Rising Pune Supergiants) to opt for a change in the team name. According to the Press Trust of India, the decision to change the name to Punjab Kings has come after much deliberation. However, it’s not a sudden decision as the Punjab-based franchise have been looking to change the team name for quite some time now. IPL 2021 is likely to kick off from April and a mini-auction in the lead up to the 14th season will be held in Chennai on February 18. KXIP’s best performance has been in the 7th edition of the league, when they reached the finals in IPL 2014.
Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI
Auction Strategy
Kings XI Punjab would be heading into the IPL-2021 Auctions as one of the busiest teams. Kings XI Punjab released as many as 9 players, including the likes of Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The Punjab-based side will have the biggest purse at the IPL 2021 auction — Rs 53.20 crore. They need to bring in an all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan might be their biggest hunt to look out for. Apart from that they also need to look for an overseas fast-bowler who can bowl in slog overs alongside Mohammad Shami. If you look at their spin department then they already have the newbie Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin. Top-order looks rock solid but they have to find the replacements of Karun Nair and Glenn Maxwell. With the huge amount in their purse one could say that they have the good opportunity to balance their squad in the upcoming IPL-2021 Auctions that is set to take place from 18th February 2PM.
A look of the current setup in a Glance
Retained players:
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel.
Released players:
Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeeshan Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.
Ahead of the IPL-2021 Auctions, team Cricketkeeda.in wishes Auction Strategy a good luck for the coming season!!