Punjab Kings will aim to make a fresh start under newly-appointed captain Shikhar Dhawan in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League, starting on March 31.

The Kings will look to bounce back after narrowly missing out on a playoff spot last season where they finished sixth in the league phase with 14 points from 14 matches, just two points behind fourth-placed Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Ahead of IPL 2023, PBKS appointed World Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss as their head coach for the upcoming edition of the marquee tournament.

Under his tutelage, the England cricket team won their maiden 50-over World Cup title in 2019. Bayliss has also won two IPL titles as coach, in the 2012 and 2014 editions, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

The 2014 IPL finalists have also roped in former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin as assistant coach while former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer returns as the batting coach for IPL 2023.

Punjab Kings have also announced former South Africa pacer Charl Langeveldt as the new fast bowling coach and former Indian cricketer Sunil Joshi as the spin bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad for IPL 2023

Ahead of the IPL 2023 mini-auction, PBKS retained a total of 16 players, including 11 Indian and five overseas players.

Shikhar Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Jitesh Sharma, Raj Bawa, Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, and Baltej Singh were the 11 Indian players retained by the franchise.

Among the overseas cricketers, the Kings retained star English duo Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis.

In the mini-auction held in Kochi on December 23 last year, the Kings broke the bank to acquire the services of star England all-rounder Sam Curran for a whopping INR 18.50 crore.

The franchise also roped in Zimbabwe cricket team all-rounder Sikandar Raza for his base price of INR 50 lakh.

In the remainder of the auction, the Kings signed swashbuckling left-handed batter Harpreet Bhatia for INR 40 lakh while also adding young fast bowler Vidwath Kaverappa, and all-rounders Mohit Rathee and Shivam Singh for their base price of INR 20 lakh.

Batters: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Harpreet Bhatia, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Prabhsimran Singh (wicket-keeper), Shahrukh Khan

All-rounders: Mohit Rathee, Raj Angad Bawa, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Shivam Singh

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Vidwath Kaverappa

Punjab Kings IPL 2023 schedule, fixtures and match times

Punjab Kings are placed in Group B alongside defending champions Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

On the other hand, Group A comprises Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants.

As per the format, the Kings will play 14 group-stage matches, playing each of the teams in Group B only once, and the teams in Group A twice, home and away.

The Kings will begin their quest for maiden IPL title against the Knight Riders at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on April 1.

All times are in India Standard Time (IST)