The Indian Premier League is set to feature three separate Australian captains this season after Kings XI Punjab announced Glenn Maxwell as their new skipper.

Maxwell will take the reins at the franchise for the 2017 edition of the lucrative T20 tournament, joining fellow IPL skippers Steve Smith, who will lead the Rising Pune Supergiants for the first time this season, and David Warner, who led Sunrisers Hyderabad to last year’s IPL title.

With fireworks in his batting, bowling & fielding it's time to unleash the Captain in him. The King of our Pride this season - @Gmaxi_32! pic.twitter.com/HkAEYtft9w — Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) March 9, 2017

The Victorian takes over from India Test opener Murali Vijay,

Maxwell was a surprise pick for the role given his lack of captaincy experience, beating out the likes of England limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan, former West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy and South Africa veteran Hashim Amla.

Kolkata triumph despite Maxwell blitz

Vijay took over the role from Proteas batsman David Miller mid-way through last year's tournament after the side lost five of their first six games.

Kings XI went on to finish bottom of the IPL ladder.

Maxwell powers Kings XI to first win

Maxwell was the IPL Player of the Tournament in 2014 but was left out of the Kings XI side for stretches of last year's competition.

The 28-year-old will become the fourth Australian to lead the franchise after George Bailey, David Hussey and legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

Finch and Maxwell recall their encounters

Maxwell is one of three Australians in the Kings XI squad for IPL10, along with Test squad members Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis.

The news comes as Maxwell pushes for a spot in Australia’s XI for the third Test in Ranchi, with incumbent No.6 Mitch Marsh flying home with a shoulder injury.