Punjab Kings: History, Home Ground and Profile of the IPL Franchise

Punjab Kings, abbreviated as PBKS, are an Indian Premier League franchise representing the state of Punjab. They were one of the eight teams in the first IPL season in 2008 and competed for thirteen years under the name Kings XI Punjab before changing to the current name in 2021. The team plays in red and silver.

Ownership

The franchise is owned by a consortium that includes the actress Preity Zinta, the businessman Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman and Karan Paul. Zinta in particular became closely identified with the club as a visible presence at matches, and the ownership group has remained largely the same through the history of the team. The change of name in 2021 was part of a rebranding effort that came with a refreshed logo and kit.

Home grounds

For most of its history the team’s home venue was the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, also known as the I. S. Bindra Stadium, in Mohali near Chandigarh. The ground has a long record as an international venue and is known for pace and bounce, which has made it favourable for fast bowlers early in an innings. The franchise has also used Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh for some home games, and from the 2024 season began playing at the newer Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, also in the Chandigarh area.

Results

As of the end of the 2024 season, Punjab had not won the IPL title. The best performance in the competition was reaching the final in 2014, when the team finished as runners-up to Kolkata Knight Riders after topping the table in the league stage. The side also reached the playoffs in the inaugural season, 2008, when it made the semi-finals. Beyond those seasons, the franchise had a long run of seasons without reaching the knockout stage.

Notable moments

In the inaugural 2008 season the Australian batter Shaun Marsh, playing for Kings XI Punjab, finished as the leading run-scorer of the tournament and won the Orange Cap, a notable achievement for a franchise in its first year.

Fans and identity

The team has a strong support base across Punjab and among Punjabi communities in India and overseas. Supporters have remained loyal despite the long wait for a title.