In the glittering world of the Indian Premier League, where cricket meets entertainment and business, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) franchise has had its fair share of drama off the field. While fans cheer for sixes and wickets, behind the scenes, the PBKS controversies IPL enthusiasts rarely get to witness have shaped the franchise’s journey significantly.
Let’s pull back the curtain on three major controversies that have defined the PBKS story and potentially impacted their quest for that elusive IPL trophy.
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The Complex Structure of Punjab Kings Owners and Their Relationships
Before diving into the controversies, it’s important to understand who holds the reins at PBKS. The ownership structure reveals a complex dynamic that sets the stage for the conflicts that followed:
| Owner | Shareholding | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Mohit Burman | 48% | Vice Chairman of Dabur Group |
| Preity Zinta | 23% | Bollywood actress and entrepreneur |
| Ness Wadia | 23% | Businessman from the Wadia Group |
| Others | 6% | Minor shareholders |
This distribution of power, with no single entity holding a clear majority, created a perfect storm for disagreements when tough decisions needed to be made. The Punjab Kings owners have often found themselves at odds over strategic directions, player selections, and financial decisions.
3 Major IPL Controversies That Rocked Punjab Kings Franchise
1. The Recent Ownership Tussle: Preity Zinta vs. Mohit Burman
The most recent PBKS controversy IPL followers are witnessing involves a high-stakes legal battle between co-owners. In 2024, Bollywood star Preity Zinta filed a petition in the Chandigarh High Court challenging Mohit Burman’s decision to sell 11.5% of his shares to a third party.
At the heart of this dispute is Zinta’s claim that existing owners should have the first right of refusal for any share sale. With the stake valued between Rs 540-600 crore, this isn’t just about ownership percentages—it’s about control and the future direction of the franchise.
“The internal agreement clearly states that existing promoters must be offered shares first before approaching outside parties,” a source close to the franchise revealed.
The case, scheduled for hearing on August 20, 2024, has created uncertainty around the team’s operations during a crucial planning phase for the upcoming season.
2. The BCCI Termination Shock of 2011
In one of the most dramatic IPL controversies involving team ownership, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated the franchise contracts of Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) and Rajasthan Royals in 2011.
The termination came after alleged violations of three franchise agreement terms, sending shockwaves through the cricketing world. For a franchise that had invested millions in building a team and brand, this existential threat required immediate action.
The Punjab Kings ownership responded by taking the matter to court and eventually paid a penalty of Rs 1 crore to continue their participation in the league. While they survived this crisis, the incident highlighted the operational challenges and compliance issues the franchise faced.
3. The Personal Turned Professional: Zinta-Wadia Controversy
Perhaps the most personal of all PBKS controversies IPL has witnessed began as a romantic relationship and ended in a courtroom drama. Co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia, who were once a couple when they purchased the franchise together, saw their relationship deteriorate dramatically.
In 2014, Zinta filed a molestation complaint against Wadia, alleging he had threatened and intimidated her during an IPL match at Wankhede Stadium. The high-profile nature of both individuals turned this into a media sensation that overshadowed the team’s on-field performances.
The legal battle dragged on for four years before Zinta eventually withdrew the complaint. However, the damage to the franchise’s public image and the strained relationship between two major stakeholders had lasting effects on team operations.
Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who captained the team during this period, later described the ownership as “erratic at times,” suggesting that these personal conflicts spilled over into cricket decisions.
PBKS IPL Review: How Ownership Disputes Affected Performance
When conducting a PBKS IPL review, it’s impossible to ignore how these boardroom battles have translated to on-field struggles. Despite being one of the original eight franchises, Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) has reached only one final (2014) and has yet to lift the trophy.
The numbers tell a revealing story:
- 17 different captains in 17 years
- Only one IPL final appearance
- 8th place finish in the 2024 season with just 5 wins in 14 matches
“When ownership isn’t aligned, it creates a handbrake effect on progress,” explained a sports management expert who has worked with multiple IPL teams. “Players and coaches sense the instability, which affects performance.”
The constant changes in team leadership, coaching staff, and strategy can be directly linked to the fractured decision-making at the ownership level. While other successful franchises have built consistent cultures and approaches, Punjab Kings IPL performance has suffered from a lack of continuity.
From Kings XI Punjab to PBKS: A Journey Marked by Controversy
In 2021, the franchise underwent a significant rebranding, changing from Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings. This wasn’t just a cosmetic change but an attempt to refresh the franchise’s image after years of underachievement and controversy.
“The rebranding was about moving forward and creating a new identity,” a team spokesperson explained at the time. However, as the recent legal dispute shows, changing the name didn’t resolve the underlying tensions within the ownership group.
For fans who have stuck with the team through thick and thin, these PBKS controversies IPL seasons have been marked by are particularly frustrating. While they cheer for on-field heroics, the off-field drama continues to cast a shadow over the franchise’s potential.
What Lies Ahead for Punjab Kings?
As the 2025 IPL season approaches, Punjab Kings finds itself at a crossroads. The resolution of the current ownership dispute will likely determine the franchise’s direction for years to come.
With new captain Shreyas Iyer at the helm, management hopes to finally bring stability and improved performance to a team that has underachieved for most of its existence. However, until the ownership issues are resolved, the cloud of uncertainty will continue to hover over the franchise.
For IPL controversies involving team owners, the PBKS saga serves as a cautionary tale about how personal relationships, business decisions, and cricket management need to work in harmony for a franchise to succeed.
As one cricket analyst put it: “In T20 cricket, teams need clarity and decisiveness both on and off the field. Until Punjab Kings resolves its ownership issues, they’ll continue to struggle to compete with more stable franchises.”
The Punjab Kings story reminds us that in the business of sports, what happens in the boardroom can be just as important as what happens on the field. For PBKS fans, the hope remains that their team can overcome these controversies and finally realize its potential in the world’s most competitive cricket league.
FAQ:-
Who owns PBKS IPL?
Punjab Kings (PBKS) formerly Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), is a professional IPL franchise cricket team based in Mullanpur, Mohali, Punjab, that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise is jointly owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul.
Who is the CEO of Punjab Kings?
The CEO of Punjab Kings is Satish Menon.
