Yuvraj Singh's leadership stint with Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural IPL season was marked by resilience and determination.
Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, is a prominent T20 franchise worldwide, boasting a rich history and a dedicated fan base. However, despite their consistent participation in every season of the IPL, they have yet to secure their maiden title, underscoring the elusive nature of success in the fiercely competitive tournament.
The franchise's journey has been marked by numerous changes, including its rebranding to Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2021 season. Despite their enduring presence, Punjab Kings hold the distinction of having the most captains since the IPL's inception, a reflection of the franchise's quest for stability and success.
Here's a comprehensive list of all the captains who have led the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) team in the Indian Premier League's history.
Yuvraj Singh's leadership stint with Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural IPL season was marked by resilience and determination, guiding the team to the semifinals after overcoming initial challenges. Despite narrowly missing out on the knockout stages in IPL 2009, under Yuvraj's astute leadership, Kings XI Punjab showcased flashes of brilliance, winning 17 out of 29 games with a commendable win percentage of 58.62%.
Under Kumar Sangakkara's leadership, Kings XI Punjab encountered a tough season in the IPL 2010, marked by disappointing performances and struggles to gain momentum. Despite Sangakkara's charismatic presence and efforts to inspire the team, they found themselves at the bottom of the points table for much of the season, managing only three wins out of 13 matches.
Mahela Jayawardene, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan cricket, served as Kumar Sangakkara's deputy in IPL 2010 and led the Kings XI Punjab team once during that season. Unfortunately, KXIP lost the match under his leadership.
Following a disappointing campaign in 2010, Kings XI Punjab made a significant change by appointing Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist as their skipper. Gilchrist became the franchise's longest-serving captain, leading them in three IPL editions. However, despite his leadership, KXIP finished 5th in IPL 2011, 6th in IPL 2012, and 6th in IPL 2013. During Gilchrist's tenure, the team won 17 games out of 34 matches, achieving a win percentage of 50%.
Without regular captain Adam Gilchrist, the seasoned Australian all-rounder David Hussey stepped up to lead Kings XI Punjab during the IPL season. Under his captaincy, the team competed fiercely in 12 matches, securing victories on six occasions.
George Bailey made a significant impact as the captain of Kings XI Punjab during his tenure in the Indian Premier League. In the 2014 season, Bailey displayed exceptional leadership skills, guiding his team to an impressive performance in the UAE leg of the tournament. With players like Glenn Maxwell and David Miller in top form, Kings XI Punjab emerged as strong contenders for the IPL title that season. However, their fortunes were downturned in the subsequent season as they struggled to replicate their earlier success under Bailey's leadership. Despite their efforts, Kings XI Punjab finished at the bottom of the team standings in IPL 2015, marking a disappointing campaign.
Virender Sehwag's brief captaincy stint with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL made a lasting impression, particularly with a memorable tie that showcased his leadership prowess. Despite leading the team only once, Sehwag's strategic insight and cricketing experience were evident as he guided Kings XI Punjab with flair and confidence in the absence of regular captain George Bailey.
David Miller's tenure as captain of Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2016 season was marked by challenges and disappointment. Despite his explosive batting prowess and established status as one of the team's marquee players, Miller's transition to the role of captain proved challenging. Kings XI Punjab managed to secure only one victory in six games under his leadership, struggling to find rhythm and consistency on the field.
Murali Vijay's appointment as captain midway through the IPL 2016 season brought a glimmer of hope for Kings XI Punjab, but the team's fortunes continued to fluctuate. Despite Vijay's efforts to instil confidence and cohesion, Kings XI Punjab secured victories in only three out of eight matches under his leadership. Unfortunately, the team's struggles persisted, ending the season at the bottom of the points table again.
In IPL 2017, Kings XI Punjab entrusted their star player, Glenn Maxwell, with the captaincy duties to navigate their challenges. Known for his dynamic style and big-hitting prowess, Maxwell led with determination, injecting energy into the team. Despite finishing 5th in the standings, Maxwell's leadership saw the team secure victories in 7 out of 14 matches, displaying his ability to inspire and compete at the highest level.
In the 2018 mega auctions, Kings XI Punjab appointed Ravichandran Ashwin as their captain, hoping for a revival under his leadership. Despite promising starts in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the team struggled with mid-season inconsistencies, leading to missed opportunities. Ashwin's tenure saw Kings XI Punjab secure 12 wins in 28 games, with a win percentage close to 43%.
PBKS entrusted KL Rahul, their prolific run-scorer and dynamic opener, with the captaincy in 2020. Despite his stellar batting, Rahul faced challenges translating individual success into team achievements. Under Rahul's leadership, Kings XI Punjab finished 6th in the league standings in both the 2020 and subsequent seasons.
Mayank Agarwal took over the captaincy for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 after KL Rahul's departure. Despite Agarwal's determination and the team's efforts, Punjab Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing 6th out of 10 teams.
As the captain of PBKS in the IPL 2023 season, Shikhar Dhawan plays a pivotal role in leading the team towards their goal of winning the IPL trophy. So far, PBKS has won 6 out of 17 matches under his leadership.
In the absence of PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan due to injury, Sam Curran has taken on the leadership responsibility. Under his captaincy, Punjab has won 4 out of 8 matches played so far.
