IPL: 5 popular players you didn't know were once a part of Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab are one of just a handful of franchises in the IPL to have never lifted the prestigious trophy.

Despite having some real superstars in their lineup, including the likes of Hashim Amla, Shaun Marsh, Yuvraj Singh etc, KXIP have always found a way to come up short.

Fans remember the likes of Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel, Murali Vijay etc plying their trade for the franchise and putting in stellar performances, however, there were other famous players who never quite got the recognition they would have liked when they were a part of the squad and have long since been forgotten.

Here, we look at five popular players who were once a part of KXIP:

#5 James Faulkner

The Australian all-rounder was a part of KXIP for just one season – 2012. Faulkner did not enjoy the best of times at Punjab though and played just two matches, scoring 14 runs and picking up 3 wickets.

After that season, Faulkner moved to Rajasthan Royals whom he represented in three editions of the IPL before heading off to Gujarat Lions.

#4 Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan's only IPL stint came way back in the first edition when he was a part of the KXIP side.

Sarwan had a torrid time though and was simply unable to come to terms with the conditions on offer. Moreover, not being tailormade for the T20 format just made things worse for the West Indian.

Sarwan scored a meagre 73 runs in four matches at an average of just over 18 and strike rate of 97, numbers that simply don't cut it in the shortest format of the game.

#3 Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif

Kaif was picked up by Kings XI Punjab in the 2010 IPL auctions, after featuring for the Rajasthan Royals in the first two editions of the competition.

His performances were far from eye-catching as he managed just 28 runs in four matches, at a strike rate of 93.3. He was subsequently dropped from the side.

Kaif then moved to RCB where he played for two seasons before his IPL career came to an end.

#2 Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad

Broad was roped in by the Kings XI Punjab ahead of the 2011 edition of the IPL for USD 400000. However, he had to pull out of the tournament due to an injury he had picked up in the World Cup.

He was also a part of their side for the subsequent season, but another injury – this time to his calf – ruled him out yet again.

Broad, till date, has never featured in the cash-rich T20 league.

#1 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Easily one of the most underrated players in the IPL, Karthik plied his trade for the Kings XI Punjab in the fourth edition of the IPL.

Karthik played all 14 games for Punjab that season, scoring 282 runs at an average of over 25 and strike rate of 128.

Karthik was then signed up by Mumbai Indians for the next edition, in exchange for R Satish, who went the other way.

He has since featured for DD, RCB, GL and is now a part of KKR.