Kings XI Punjab is a cricket franchise based in Mohali, Punjab in the Indian Premier League. The team is currently captained by Sri Lanka's captain-wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara who replaced Yuvraj Singh after the 2009 season. For the IPL3, an additional venue has been chosen at Dharamsala.
Franchise History
The first owners of the franchise included Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia (Bombay Dyeing), Karan Paul (Apeejay Surendera Group) and Mohit Burman (Dabur). The group paid a total of $76 million to acquire the franchise.
2008 IPL Season
The 2008 season started on a disastrous note for the Kings XI team as it lost its opening two matches, but then it recovered lost ground and went on to play the semi finals against Chennai Super Kings which they lost and ended up in 3rd position
Performance
The tournament got off to a slow start for the Kings XI, with the team losing their first two games. However, despite losing Australians Brett Lee and Simon Katich (who were committed to tour the West Indies with Australia), the team found its groove. Powered by their balanced bowling lineup and effective top order, the team won 9 of its next 10 matches, clinching a birth in the semi-final. In the semi-final, their run in the tournament came to an end with a comprehensive 9 wicket loss to the Chennai Super Kings.
Many credit the team for unearthing arguably the biggest find of the tournament in Shaun Marsh.The opener from Western Australia was looked over in both IPL player auctions and was signed by the franchise on 9 April.He finished the tournament the highest run scorer with an average of 68.44 and a strike rate of 139.68 in 11 innings. His innings included 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
Racism Row
On top of their strong results, the franchise found itself in the headlines for issues off the field as well. It was alleged that cheerleaders Ellesha Newton and Sherinne Anderson—both of whom are of African lineage—were denied access to the PCA Stadium due to the colour of their skin. Wizcraft International Entertainment, the event management firm hired by the team, denied the allegation and began proceedings on a defamation lawsuit against the organization who represented the two individuals.
Dispute with Punjab Police
The Punjab Police sought compensation in exchange for providing security during IPL matches at the PCA Stadium. The issue was that neither the Punjab Cricket Association, nor the franchise owners were willing to pay the amount being demanded.The dispute reached a boiling point on 23 May during the Kings XI match against the Deccan Chargers, where it was alleged that team co-owner Ness Wadia was engaged in a verbal dispute with Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, RS Khatra.Wadia eventually filed an official complaint against Khatra, contending that he was accused of stealing alcohol and team merchandise, as well as granting entrance to unauthorized personnel in the stadium.Following this event, the Punjab Police threatened to provide no security for the Kings XI's final home match, unless they were paid the sum they demanded.
2009 season
Finishing as semi-finalists last year, The Kings XI Punjab started with enormous ambitions to win the trophy.Their ambitions were supported by their new sponsors Emirates Airlines.With two available slots to fill The Punjab Kings made bids on Jerome Taylor and Yusuf Abdulla at the second IPL auctions.
The team took a hit as most of their Australian cricketers were not available.The team's pace department did not have much fire in them after Jerome Taylor backed out at the last minute with a fresh injury.
The Punjab Kings started badly losing to the Delhi Daredevils and the Kolkata Knight Riders, however got back to form by beating the Royal Challengers, Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians. Then the team witnessed a roller-coaster ride in their next eight matches with 4 wins and 4 losses.The team's semi-final hopes were crushed after losing to the Chennai Super Kings in their last match.
2010 season
Kings XI Punjab lost six matches to Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians but managed to win a match against Chennai Super Kings when the scores were level and the match went to a Super Over. Kings XI Punjab were boosted by the return of Brett Lee against Kolkata, but he was not at his best. Shaun Marsh returned in the match against Mumbai Indians. Despite of his good performance, which included a half century, the team lost the match.
They ended in last position.
0 comments:
Post a Comment