Source: OneCricket
Yuvraj Singh, a key player in India's 2011 World Cup win, led Kings XI Punjab in the first IPL season
Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, have had a turbulent journey in the IPL despite their rebranding efforts in 2021. While they've yet to clinch the coveted trophy, they've showcased moments of brilliance and come close to glory. 2014, they were on the verge of winning the trophy but fell short. However, their spirited performances have left a lasting impression on the tournament's history.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit five prominent players from the Kings XI Punjab squad 2008 and their current positions.
Yuvraj Singh's winning runs in the 2011 ICC World Cup quarter-final against Australia at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad
Yuvraj Singh, a key player in India's 2011 World Cup win, led Kings XI Punjab in the first IPL season. He's the only player to win the ICC U-19, T20, and ODI World Cups. Despite battling cancer, he was the 2011 World Cup's Man of the Tournament. Famous for hitting six sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup, Yuvraj made inspiring comebacks.
Yuvraj has shared his opinions and engaged with fans on social media platforms after he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2019. He also dedicates himself to YouWeCan, an initiative that supports cancer patients and raises awareness about the disease.
Irfan Pathan, the Indian all-rounder, played a significant role in KXIP's inaugural IPL campaign. Despite giving away 47 runs and taking two wickets in the first match, he remained unbeaten on three off five balls. Throughout his IPL career, Pathan has represented six franchises and was not picked in the 2018 IPL Auction. Pathan is a cricket analyst and will represent Jammu and Kashmir in the domestic circuit. He recently featured for the Indian Maharajas in the Legends League Cricket. Additionally, he is a familiar face in the commentary box, maintaining his association with the game beyond his playing days.
Brett Lee, the Australian fast bowler, played only four matches for Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural IPL season due to national duty. Despite this, he made an impact, conceding 35 runs and taking a wicket in the debut match against Chennai Super Kings. Known for his blistering pace, Lee represented Australia from 1999 to 2012 and was part of their World Cup-winning squads in 1999 and 2003. In the IPL, Lee also played for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2013. Currently, he works as a cricket analyst and commentator, sharing his insights and expertise with cricket fans worldwide.
Kumar Sangakkara, one of Sri Lanka's greatest cricketers, made an impactful debut for Kings XI Punjab, scoring a fine half-century (54 off 33 balls) in their maiden IPL match. He played nine games in the 2008 season, accumulating 320 runs at an impressive average of 35.56 and a superb strike rate of 161.62. Throughout his illustrious international career from 2000 to 2015, Sangakkara amassed over 27,500 runs across all formats and took over 600 catches as a wicketkeeper. In addition to Kings XI Punjab, Sangakkara also represented Deccan Chargers (2011-2012) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013) in the IPL. Currently, he serves as the head coach and director of cricket for Rajasthan Royals.
Piyush Chawla, the Indian leg-spinner, had a tough start for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, conceding 19 runs in his only over against Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina. However, he bounced back to have a successful IPL 2008, taking 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate 8.30. Despite early promise, he struggled to maintain consistency at the international level and last played for India in December 2012. In the IPL, Chawla represented Kings XI Punjab from 2008 to 2013 and has been with Kolkata Knight Riders since IPL 2014. He also played for Gujarat in the domestic circuit and joined Mumbai Indians in the 2023 season. As the only player from Kings XI Punjab's first XI still active in the IPL, Chawla is considered an IPL veteran, having played for multiple franchises.
