IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab were renamed as Punjab Kings on Thursday. As the team’s official Twitter handle revealed the new name and the vibrant red, white, and gold logo, captain KL Rahul, and star player Chris Gayle reacted to the new name.
Nave andaaz hor wakhre josh de naal 🎺
swagat karo #PunjabKings da 💥👑🤩#SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/IVvmsx56Qb— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 17, 2021
In a video posted by the franchise, Rahul said, “I liked the name Kings XI but the team is a lot more than just 11 players. We are supposed to be like a family, supposed to feel like a family, supposed to feel like a whole unit. I am quite confident that the change in name will bring us good fortune this year.”
Gayle backed the skipper’s sentiments and said, “Absolutely, I love it. Sometimes, it’s good to have a change as well. I like what KL said. It’s not about the 11 players. It’s going to get everyone more involved. Punjab Kings is the way to go.” Head coach Anil Kumble also praised the new name and logo and said that the name will bring new energy to the team after years of ups and downs.
Co-owner Preity Zinta, who previously shared the team’s new identity on her personal Twitter handle, featured in a video by the team’s official handle to reveal the reason behind the transformation.
Zinta said, “Every brand has a natural progression over the years. If you look at other teams, everybody at some point has rebranded. And I think, for us, this was the time. Over the years we have seen people say ‘hey we love KXIP!’ and they were never getting to calling it Kings XI. Some called it Punjab XI. So we just thought we will simplify it.”
The rechristened Punjab Kings are yet to win a IPL title. However, with a new look and a hefty budget of Rs 53.2 crore, the franchise is heading towards today’s IPL mini-auction to change their fortune. Despite an outstanding 5-win streak at the end, Punjab failed to qualify for playoffs. As they have already released international stars such as Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham, Sheldon Cotrell, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the team will look to utilize their budget to acquire some match-winners.