Maxwell named Kings XI Punjab captain

Glenn Maxwell has been named Kings XI Punjab captain for the tenth season of the IPL, which starts on April 5. The Australian allrounder takes over the role from M Vijay, who was appointed captain midway through the last season. Kings XI had dropped David Miller as captain in favour of Vijay after the side had lost five of their first six games in 2016.

The move did not stop Kings XI from finishing last for the second successive season. Maxwell has never captained in the 338 matches he has played across formats and has been picked for the role ahead of Eoin Morgan, who led England to the World T20 final in 2016, and Darren Sammy, who captained West Indies to two T20 World Cup titles.

Maxwell has had an underwhelming last two seasons in the IPL, managing 324 runs in 22 matches with only two fifties. In 2014, though, he had played a pivotal role - racking up 552 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 187.75 - in Kings XI's run to their maiden final.

In addition to a new captain, Kings XI will have a new second home this season, with Indore's Holkar Stadium set to host three matches: on April 8 (v Rising Pune Supergiant), April 10 (v Royal Challengers Bangalore) and April 20 (v Mumbai Indians). The Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali will stage the rest of Kings XI's home matches.