Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) is set to start afresh with a new name ahead of the player auction for the 14th of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on February 18 in Chennai. The team will now be called "Punjab Kings", as per a Cricbuzz report.

A formal announcement is expected in the next couple of days with a grand re-launch in Mumbai, but the necessary approval from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been obtained by the franchise, according to team officials.

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The franchise will be turning up for the auction as Punjab Kings and the BCCI has reportedly started using the new team name in internal communication with the eight franchises. Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, Mohit Burman and Karan Paul owned franchise is yet to win an IPL title, and has made the final just once in the 2014 edition.

KL Rahul-led team finished sixth in UAE in 2020 after a late revival in the competition but the consistency required to make the playoffs was missing. They will enter the auction with INR 53.2 crores in their purse, most for any franchise, after releasing players like Glenn Maxwell, Jimmy Neesham, Sheldon Cottrell, among others.

(Cricbuzz inputs)