Punjab Kings
Twice league-toppers, twice runners-up.
The Punjab Kings, also known as PBKS, are a professional Twenty20 cricket team based in New Chandigarh, Punjab, that competes in the Indian Premier League. The franchise is jointly owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul. They play their home matches at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, though since 2010 they have also used Dharamshala and Indore. The team was originally named Kings XI Punjab before being renamed Punjab Kings in February 2021. They topped the league table twice, in 2014 and 2025, finishing as runners-up both times—losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025.
Quick Facts
- League
- Indian Premier League
- Captain
- Shreyas Iyer
- Coach
- Ricky Ponting
- City
- New Chandigarh, Punjab, India
- Owner
- Mohit Burman (48%)
- Ness Wadia (23%)
- Preity Zinta (23%)
- Karan Paul (6%)
- Ground
- PCA Stadium, Mohali, 2008–2023; Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh 2021–present
- Capacity
- 38,000
Lore & Background
The franchise's most successful season came in 2014, when under captain George Bailey and coach Sanjay Bangar they won all five opening matches in the UAE. Glenn Maxwell was named tournament MVP with 552 runs at a strike rate of 187.75. In the final, Wriddhiman Saha became the first player to score a century in an IPL final (115), but Kolkata Knight Riders chased down 200 with three balls to spare. That same year, Kings XI Punjab qualified for the Champions League Twenty20, going unbeaten in the group stage—including a record 120-run win over Northern Knights—before losing the semi-final to Chennai Super Kings by 65 runs despite a Parvinder Awana hat-trick. In 2025, they again topped the table but lost the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Reader's Guide
The Punjab Kings are one of eight original IPL franchises, bought in 2008 by a group including Mohit Burman (46%), Ness Wadia (23%), Preity Zinta (23%), and Saptarshi Dey (minor stake) for $76 million. Their catchment areas were Kashmir, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana—reflected in the old logo's 'K J H P H' banner. The franchise was briefly expelled from the IPL in October 2010 over the BCCI-Lalit Modi controversy, but the termination was stayed by the Bombay High Court, and the dispute ended in 2012. In February 2021, the name changed from Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings; Ness Wadia said the rebrand was planned two years earlier but delayed by COVID-19, expressing disappointment at 'not being able to win a title' and hoping to 'start afresh.' At the 2025 IPL auction, the franchise made the second highest-ever bid for a player, paying ₹26.75 crore for Shreyas Iyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Punjab Kings in the IPL?
This franchise represents the state of Punjab and plays its home matches at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Originally known as Kings XI Punjab since the league began in 2008, they officially adopted their current name in 2021.
What is their best tournament finish?
The team reached its peak performance when it finished as runners-up in the 2014 season. Despite active status, this remains their highest achievement in tournament history to date.
Are they still an active team?
They remain an active franchise in the current Indian Premier League structure while operating out of their home ground in Mohali. The team continues to compete for titles while upholding a legacy of resilience written in red and gold.
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