Kings XI Punjab To Be Renamed Punjab Kings Ahead of IPL 2021 Players Auction, Says Report
Kings XI Punjab have reportedly changed the franchise name in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League 2021 players auction.
The Punjab-based franchise has struggled to perform in recent times and has reached the IPL playoffs only twice in 13 seasons.
Their best finish in the IPL came in 2014 when they made it to the final but was beaten by Kolkata Knight Riders in the title clash.
No owner or an official of the franchise would say the reason behind the planned transformation but the KXIP officials
According to a report from Cricbuzz, A formal communication about the name change has been made to the BCCI from Kings XI Punjab and the approval has also been obtained. The report further states that the franchise is planning a grand re-launch to announce the change in the team name.
IPL 2021 is expected to begin from the second week of April. Ahead of the new IPL edition, the IPL 2021 players auction will be held in Chennai on February 18.
Kings XI Punjab has the biggest purse (RS 53.2 Crore) heading into the auction. They have nine slots available (five overseas and four Indians).
Punjab released the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, and Karun Nair and retained only 16 players.
Kings XI Punjab
Retained Players: KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohd. Shami, M Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Prabhsimran Singh
Released Players: Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Mujeeb Zadran, Hardus Viljoen, James Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Karun Nair, Jagadeesha Suchith, Tejinder Singh Dhillon
