Kings XI Punjab is a cricket franchise based in Mohali in the eight team Indian Premier League. The team is led by Yuvraj Singh who is also the Icon Player. The team is coached by Tom Moody, the former Australian all rounder.
The owners of the franchise include Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia (Bombay Dyeing), Karan Paul (Apeejay Surendera Group) and Mohit Burman (Dabur). The group paid a total of $76 million to acquire the franchise.
The 2008 season started on a disatrous note for the Kings XI team as it lost its opening two matches, but then it recovered lost ground and went on to play the semi finals against Chennai Super Kings.
The tournament got off to a slow start for the Kings XI, with the team losing their first two games. However, despite losing Australians Brett Lee and Simon Katich (who were committed to tour the West Indies with Australia), the team found its groove. Powered by their balanced bowling lineup and effective top order, the team won 9 of its next 10 matches, clinching a birth in the semi-final.
In the semi-final, their run in the tournament came to an end with a comprehensive 9 wicket loss to the Chennai Super Kings. Many credit the team for unearthing arguably the biggest find of the tournament in Shaun Marsh. The opener from Western Australia was looked over in both IPL player auctions and was signed by the franchise on 9 April.
He finished the tournament the highest run scorer with an average of 68.44 and a strike rate of 139.68 in 11 innings. His innings included 1 century and 5 half-centuries. On top of their strong results, the franchise found itself in the headlines for issues off the field as well.
It was alleged that cheerleaders Ellesha Newton and Sherinne Anderson both of whom are of African lineage are denied access to the PCA Stadium due to the colour of their skin. Wizcraft International Entertainment, the event management firm hired by the team, denied the allegation and began proceedings on a defmation lawsuit against the organization who represented the two individuals.
