Punjab Kings (PBKS) IPL Jerseys: Then and Now (2008-2024)

Punjab Kings. (Photo Source: IPL)

Established in 2008 as Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), the professional franchise cricket team based out of Mohali is one of only three teams to have never tasted success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite playing all 16 seasons. The Kings have only made the playoffs twice in their history, with their best season coming in 2014, where they topped the points table and finished as runners-up.

The squad has never been short of superstars, but apart from being able to provide some entertainment to the fans over the years, the desired results have not been achieved. Disappointed at not winning the title, the franchise decided to rebrand itself as Punjab Kings (PBKS) after 13 seasons ahead of IPL 2021, with an aim to ‘relook at things’. However, that has still not changed their fortunes.

While PBKS did not make significant changes to their logo and jersey during this transition, they did, however, make some noticeable modifications. 

Also Check: RCB IPL jerseys over the years

Let’s take a look at the evolution of the Punjab Kings’ jersey since the inaugural IPL edition: 

1. 2008

Kings XI Punjab 2008 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

In the very first season, PBKS (Kings XI Punjab) introduced red and white as the dominant colours in their jersey. The shirt was given a gradient of red and white, with the latter being featured in the middle part of both front and back sides. The player’s name and jersey number were printed in red just above the sponsor’s name – Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Spice was their main jersey sponsor in the inaugural season, while clothing retail company Provogue did the chest branding. The left side of the chest featured the KXIP logo – a shield consisting of two ferocious lions on either side and the team name in the middle. The shield is referred to as a matter of pride, while the lions mean ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ (‘Lions of Punjab’). Captained by Yuvraj Singh, KXIP finished as semi-finalists in the 2008 season. 

2. 2009 

Kings XI Punjab 2009 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

The franchise scrapped the red and white gradient design and let the red dominate while adding a silver/gold touch to the latter. The body front and back part were given red, while silver/gold appeared on the arms and both sides. A trace of the lion in the logo was placed on the lower left side of the body front part. The player’s name and jersey number were also replaced with shades of silver.

Dubai-based global airline Emirates came on board as the main sponsor for the team for three years. While Gulf Oil (the official team partner) took over the chest branding, Nimbooz (the official beverage sponsor) featured on the back replacing Kotak. Led by Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, KXIP finished fifth in the points table, beginning a streak of poor outings in the cash-rich league.

3. 2010 

Kings XI Punjab 2010 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

The Punjab franchise retained the same design and colour pattern in the third IPL edition. Even the sponsors remained the same, but they brought another change in the leadership group. Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene was entrusted with the task of leading the team but things did not go as expected.

Despite having quality players in the squad, KXIP finished last in the league stage of IPL 2010. They won just four of 14 matches in what was one of the worst campaigns in their league history.  

4. 2011 

Kings XI Punjab 2011 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Apart from reducing the contrast of the red colour on the shirt collar, for the third consecutive season, KXIP remained unchanged in their jersey designs and colour pattern. However, there were some notable changes in the sponsorship roles. While Fly Emirates remained the title sponsor, Linc Pens did the chest branding and Pearls sponsored the shirt’s back side. Reebok (left sleeve) and ACC Cement (right sleeve) were also given some space to feature on their attire. 

After a poor performance in the previous season, the franchise decided to hand over the leadership baton to former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Some improvements were seen, yet they failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing fifth in the table. 

5. 2012 

Kings XI Punjab 2012 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Yet another season without any change in their jersey and performance. Gilchrist continued to lead the side but he could not improve from last season. They finished sixth in the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs by just two points. 

Meanwhile, ahead of the season, the Punjab franchise announced new sponsorship deals with pay-TV provider Videocon d2h and apparel fabric manufacturer OCM. Videocon d2h joined the team as their title sponsor with the company’s logo printed on the front of the players’ jersey. While USPA (U. S. Polo Assn. India) did the chest branding, men’s innerwear brand Lux Cozi sponsored the back side of the jersey.

6. 2013 

Kings XI Punjab 2013 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

David Hussey-led KXIP failed to qualify for the playoffs, but their 2013 campaign will always be remembered for David Miller’s sensational hundred against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Punjab were struggling with only 51 runs on the board in the eighth over while chasing a target of 190. Miller, who came at no. 5, led his team to a six-wicket win as he smashed 101 off just 38 deliveries.

The franchise seemed to have had lost interest in making any changes given their performance and the KXIP players played in the same outfit this season as well. NVD Group replaced DTH operator Videocon as the lead sponsor. The company also did the chest branding throughout the season. Lux Cozi remained sponsors for the back side of the jersey.

7. 2014 

Kings XI Punjab 2014 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Finally, the KXIP designers got some work. After keeping almost the same design for five seasons, the franchise decided to make some notable changes to their jersey. The presence of red increased, and so did the contrast. A triangular design was given on both sides of the jersey in shades of silver. The yoke and bottom part of the sleeves were also given a silver touch. The player’s name and jersey number were replaced with golden colours. 

Meanwhile, the lion’s trace on the body front part decreased in size and printed in the opposite direction. A case of cheating and duping’ of about INR 14 crore from the NVD Group, which signed a three-year deal the previous year, saw KXIP getting a new title sponsor – Tata Motors Prima. Trip Factory did the chest branding, while Arise Mobiles sponsored the back side of the jersey. 

The overall changes seemed to have had brought some luck to the team. Australia’s then T20I captain George Bailey was hired to lead the squad for the seventh season and guess what? KXIP had their best season in the history of the league till date. They topped the league stage and went on to play the final, in which they, unfortunately, lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by three wickets. 

8. 2015 

Kings XI Punjab 2015 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

No changes were made to the jersey design or colour pattern this time. While Tata Motors Prima remained as title sponsors, HTC, a Taiwanese consumer electronics company, relaced Trip Factory in chest branding. Incidentally, the franchise struck a last-minute deal with Manforce, a condom company. 

It was rumoured that some players were reportedly shy to wear the jersey because of the condom brand’s advertisement being displayed on the back. Meanwhile, George Bailey continued to lead the side, but this time they lost 11 out of 14 matches to finish at the bottom of the league stage.

9. 2016 

Kings XI Punjab 2016 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Keeping red as the dominant colour, the franchise gave a different design pattern to the silver shades without changing their positions. Instead of going for a sharp edge, the silver designs on the yoke, sides and bottom of the sleeves were aligned in a straight line.

The 2016 season marked Tata Motors Prima’s final stint with the Punjab franchise. American retail automotive services company Valvoline took over the role of chest branding, while Mobile network operator company Idea sponsored the back side of the jersey. Star all-rounder David Miller was appointed as the captain but he handed over the baton to Murali Vijay in the second half of the tournament. However, the team finished eighth once again with just four wins.

10. 2017 

Kings XI Punjab 2017 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

KXIP continued their trend of not making any changes in jersey designs or colours. However, changes were seen in their leadership sponsorship groups. Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was appointed as their captain for season 10. Although the team’s performance improved, they were unable to finish the league stage in the top four. 

Ahead of the 2017 season, Punjab announced a team of 21 sponsors and partners. While Hero Cycles came on board as the franchise’s title sponsor, Idea and Johnson Tiles were welcomed as principal sponsors. Johnson Tiles did the chest branding while the mobile networking firm remained as shirt sponsor for the back side.

11. 2018 

Kings XI Punjab 2018 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Weeks ahead of the 2018 season, the Punjab franchise unveiled their official jersey and also announced Kent RO Systems as their chief sponsor. The silver stripes on the yoke were removed and the player’s name and jersey number were in gold lettering.

KXIP also confirmed their tie-up with Royal Stag, Detergent brand Fena (official partner) and Lotus Herbals. While Telecommunications company Jio appeared on the back of the jersey, Lotus Herbals did the chest branding. The team failed to make it to the playoffs despite having a formidable squad that included veteran spinner Ravichandra Ashwin (captain), Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul, Aaron Finch and Chris Gayle.

12. 2019 

Kings XI Punjab 2019 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

For the first time KXIP introduced blue colour in their jersey. The stripes on the yoke were brought back, but this time with blue and the design on either side was also shown in primary colour instead of silver.  

The franchise signed Aaj Tak, a popular Hindi news channel in India, as their title sponsor. They also had six sponsors and eleven associate sponsors this season. While Aaj Tak featured on the front of the jersey, Bageshree Infratech did their ad on the back and Jio on the chest. Ashwin led them in another season but they finished sixth in the table after the league stage. 

13. 2020 

Kings XI Punjab 2020 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

The designers were not asked to make any changes to the jersey design or colour pattern. Months ahead of the 2020 season, the franchise announced EbixCash as a sponsor. The financial services company’s name was seen on the front of the KXIP’s playing jersey for the next three seasons. Jio continued to do chest branding, while Avon Cycles replaced Bageshree Infratech on the back.

KL Rahul was appointed as the captain for the 13th edition. The wicketkeeper-batter ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 670 runs, but his captaincy efforts were not up to the mark as KXIP finished sixth in the standings.

14. 2021 

Kings XI Punjab 2021 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Aiming to see a change in their fortunes, the Mohali-based franchise rebranded as Punjab Kings (PBKS) and made alterations to their logo ahead of IPL 2021. Keeping the shield intact, the new logo features only one ferocious lion facing its left. Blue was removed from the jersey and silver was brought back. Stripes on the yoke were enlarged and a triangular design was given at the bottom on both sides. 

While EbixCash continued as title sponsors, the franchise roped in Mumbai-based tyre manufacturing company BKT to the group for branding on the back of the jerseys. Lotus Herbals replaced Jio to appear on the chest, with the latter finding a spot on the left sleeve. Rahul remained as the captain, but he again failed to lead the team to the playoffs. 

15. 2022 

Punjab Kings 2022 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Not many changes were brought to the jersey design in the IPL 2022 season except for two diagonal silver stripes down both sides. The jersey sponsors also remained the same from the previous season, with EbixCash being the title sponsor. 

The franchise opted to retain just two players ahead of the 2022 mega auction. With Rahul shifting to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the captaincy baton was given to Mayank Agarwal. The team’s performance and fortunes remained the same – Kings yet again finished their campaign in sixth place.  

16. 2023 

Punjab Kings 2023 (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

PBKS entered the 16th edition of the IPL without making any notable changes to their playing jersey. While financial services company Ebix Cash continued to serve as the title sponsor, Lotus Herbals and BKT continued in their roles. Meanwhile, they partnered with Campa Cola and B Natural Juices & Beverages for the 2023 edition.

Trevor Bayliss replaced Anil Kumble as the team’s head coach and Shikhar Dhawan replaced Mayank Agarwal as captain. PBKS had some impressive outings this time around, but it wasn’t enough for them to end their 9-year wait to play in the knockouts. Dhawan and Co. finished eighth in the table with 6 wins from 14 matches.

Also Read: PBKS Squad 2024 Player List