After Sanjay Bangar served as coach from 2014 to 2016, the next three seasons saw the position change hands from Virender Sehwag to Brad Hodge to Mike Hesson before the appointment of Kumble. However, despite the repeated change in staff, the Kings XI's see saw journey in the IPL has continued, with them having finished at the bottom in 2016, fifth the following year, seventh in 2018 and sixth this year.

Kumble's engagement with the Kings XI makes it his third IPL team as a coach or a mentor. He first became mentor of the Royal Challengers Bangalore - after leading the side previously - before being chosen as mentor also by the Mumbai Indians in 2013. When he left them two years later, Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the Indian national side but stepped down from the post after India's loss in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

The owners of the Kings XI Punjab confirmed that Kumble was being transferred other cricket and administrative powers too, alongside coaching the side.