IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab Depart For UAE Ahead Of The T20 Extravaganza

On Thursday, IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab became the first team to leave for the UAE for the forthcoming tournament, commencing from the 19th of September. The BCCI allowed the franchises to fly to UAE after the 19th of August and the teams were quick to depart for the cash-rich competition. Kings XI Punjab will take the field, chasing their inaugural IPL title while other teams have begun their preparations as well.

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Kings XI Punjab’s best year was the 2014 season in which they reached the finals for the first time. Their chief ingredient to success was Glenn Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder who played some swashbuckling knocks to light up the edition.

Glenn Maxwell will once again ply his trade for the franchise as the owners secured his services for INR 10.75 crores. However, he will miss the initial phase due to his international commitments.

Overall, KXIP haven’t been the best of the teams in history. KXIP’s players began coming together a few days back and stayed in isolation for a while.

On Thursday morning, the official twitter handle of the franchise posted a video of their athletes departing for the UAE. Their ace pace bowler Mohammed Shami tweeted a photo after boarding the flight, writing a caption “Apne munde Lion off to Dubai”.

Shami bhai, Shami bhai, aagaye ne ?#<!---->S<!---->a<!---->d<!---->d<!---->a<!---->P<!---->u<!---->n<!---->j<!---->a<!---->b #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 @<!---->M<!---->d<!---->S<!---->h<!---->a<!---->m<!---->i<!---->1<!---->1 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->C<!---->b<!---->7<!---->6<!---->6<!---->z<!---->Z<!---->d<!---->7<!---->h

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Kings XI Punjab have overhauled their coaching staff:

The one-time finalists have not only changed their captain but also appointed a revamped coaching staff. Anil Kumble will serve as the head coach while the likes of Jonty Rhodes, Charl Langeveldt, and Wasim Jaffer have entered into the mix as well. Andy Flower will also join the team as the assistant coach. KL Rahul will lead the team as previous skipper Ravichandran Ashwin moved on to Delhi Capitals.

Aside from Glenn Maxwell, the franchise has also roped in players like Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham, Prabhsimran Singh, Chris Jordan, Tajinder Dhillon, Ravi Bishnoi, Ishan Porel, and Sheldon Cottrell in the auction. Such players have proved themselves at the domestic and international level and will have to step up if Kings XI Punjab are to lift their maiden IPL trophy.

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