Captain KL Rahul Reveals The Reason Behind Renaming Kings XI Punjab To Punjab Kings

The new name reflects plenty more togetherness than the previous one did, feels captain KL Rahul on the rebranding of Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2021. On Wednesday, a day before the IPL 2021 auction, the franchise has announced the renaming and also unveiled a new logo.

The ‘XI’ from the previous name has been dropped – KL Rahul, who took over the reins last season, reckons that a team is more than just the 11 players on the field. It is like a big family from players not in the playing eleven to the coaching and support staff.

Change in the name will bring us good fortune this year: KL Rahul

The right-hander is hopeful of better fortunes with the change in the name – as was with some of the teams earlier such as Rising Pune Supergiants, who reached the final after dropping the s to Supergiant; also Delhi Capitals, who were earlier Delhi Daredevils, reached their maiden IPL final last year.

“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,” KL Rahul told Star Sports.

KL Rahul has played 3 seasons for the then Kings XI Punjab; in 42 matches, he averages an outstanding 54.91 at a strike rate of 140.09. The wicket-keeper batsman was the leading run-scorer last year despite his team finishing 6th on the points table.

Chris Gayle, who has also been with the franchise for the last three seasons, agrees with the thought behind the new name. The West Indian has played only one tournament – the T10 league in Abu Dhabi – after the IPL 2020.

“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,” Gayle said.

Speaking of the auction, on Thursday, Punjab Kings have the biggest purse – Rs 53.20 crore – of all 8 franchises after releasing big-money signings of last season.

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