Dejected over the ouster of Kings XI Punjab from the Indian Premier League, the team’s fans have initiated a signature campaign to garner public support against the BCCI decision. A group called Fans of Kings XI Punjab has been constituted, comprising students and commoners.
“So far we have collected over 2,000 signatures and messages in support of KXIP. We will also organise a candle light march in support of our team,” says Amit Kumar, of Fans of Kings XI Punjab.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India had announced that Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab will be scrapped from IPL for violating franchisee conditions, barring both teams from IPL 4.
Kumar says, "We will send a copy of the signatures and messages, along with an appeal to the BCCI through the Punjab Cricket Association officials. We will also soon hold a meeting with the PCA secretary because this team represents Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. And if it’s barred from playing, cricket will suffer in the region."
Anmol Sharma, a college student, says, “The unceremonious ouster has disappointed all of us. We will always stand by our team and intensify our campaign.”
{{/usCountry}}Anmol Sharma, a college student, says, “The unceremonious ouster has disappointed all of us. We will always stand by our team and intensify our campaign.”
{{/usCountry}}Aakriti Shukla, a Kings XI Punjab enthusiast, informs that the team organised cricket tournaments to train budding cricketers. “We want the authorities to reconsider their decision,” she adds.
The KXIP franchise is jointly owned by industrialist Ness Wadia, actor Preity Zinta and two other businessmen.