Indian Premier League side Kings XI Punjab have decided to change their name before IPL 2021. According to reports, the KL Rahul led side were looking to change the name of their team. Besides, the management will probably bring changes to the look of the team as well. Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman and Karan Paul are the co-owners of the Kings XI.
The Punjab side play their home matches at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali. Two other stadiums in Dharamsala and Indore also serve as venues for their home games. KXIP have made it twice into the play-offs of the competition. Their most successful stint was in 2014, where they became the runner-ups losing to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the finals. In the earlier season, they won just 6 out of their 14 matches, not making into the Top 4.
According to Cricbuzz, the management has already made their wish known to BCCI, who have given approval for the change. The exact reason for the change is yet to be out. However, it is in speculations that a ‘relaunch’ may take place soon in Mumbai, prior to the auctions on February 18. In a recent internal communication to the teams, the BCCI also hailed the side as the Punjab Kings.
Will Kings XI Punjab Benefit from the name Change?
Kings XI Punjab are not the first franchise to change their names in the mega competition. They join Delhi Capitals and Rising Pune Supergiant who did so in 2018 and 2017 respectively. while the Delhi Daredevils changed to the Delhi Capitals, their Pune counterparts just dropped a ‘s’ from their name. Hence, they were Rising Pune Supergiant from Rising Pune Supergiants.
The name change, however, proved beneficial for both the franchises. DC made it to the play-offs twice in the last four years. They even finished as runner-ups in IPL 2020, which took place in UAE. RPS finished at the penultimate spot in 2016, under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After their change, they were the runner-ups in 2017 with Steve Smith leading the side.
