IPL: Kings XI Punjab to be renamed Punjab Kings
One of the eight original franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kings XI Punjab, has changed its name. The franchise will be called Punjab Kings from the 14th edition of IPL. Reportedly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been communicated regarding the same. It is understood that the board has given the approval. Here is more.
A look at the details
The team officials gave the confirmation about the development. It has been learned that the franchise is planning a grand 're-launch' in a few days in Mumbai, ahead of the auction. The franchise will turn up at the auction in Chennai as Punjab Kings. Notably, the BCCI, in a recent internal communication to the teams, addressed the side as Punjab Kings.
Punjab have been below-par of late
The Punjab side, owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul, have been below-par since the inaugural edition. They have had only one third-place finish and one runners-up position in the 13 seasons. The KL Rahul-led team finished on number six in the last edition (2020). They last qualified for the playoffs in the 2014 edition.
A look at the players released and retained by Punjab
Here are the players retained and released for IPL 2021. Released: Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh. Retained: KL Rahul (c), 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
A clause for officials attending the player auction
In another update, the BCCI has introduced a clause of brief quarantine for those attending the auction. In an advisory sent to the teams, the BCCI said, "Before checking into their respective rooms, they (those arriving on February 17) will undergo a Rapid Antigen Test followed by an RT-PCR test for COVID-19. All individuals must quarantine in their respective rooms until results are available."
Officials should test COVID-negative before attending the auction
For those arriving on the day of the auction, the advisory says, "All personnel arriving must quarantine in their respective rooms until results of the RT-PCR test are available." "Reports of samples collected before 9 am on 18th February 2021 will be available by 1 pm. Only those individuals who have tested negative for COVID-19 will be permitted to attend the IPL 2021 auctions."
