Pune Warriors

Pune Warriors India, representing the bustling city of Pune in Maharashtra, first entered the fray of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2011. This team, however, didn’t have the longest of spans in the competition, being dissolved in 2013 due to financial difficulties and issues with the BCCI over franchise fees. Yet, in its brief tenure, Pune Warriors managed to etch a few unforgettable moments and earned a place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts.

Despite their short-lived history, the Warriors had a decent roster and boasted several key players who brought charisma and skill to the team. Yuvraj Singh, the iconic Indian all-rounder, captained the side initially, attempting to galvanise the squad with his dynamic performances and leadership. Other notable players included the prolific Australian batsman Michael Clarke and all-rounder Angelo Mathews from Sri Lanka. Indian youth talent, like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, found a platform to showcase their prowess and gain valuable experience in the process.

However, silverware eluded the Warriors throughout their IPL stint. Their best performance saw them finishing 9th in the 2012 season, a campaign highlighted by their spirited victories against more seasoned teams. Matches against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) were particularly noteworthy, as each encounter steeped in tension, encouraging an emerging rivalry between the two sides.

In terms of playing style, Pune Warriors were known for their aggressive batting lineup, thanks in large part to Yuvraj Singh and the explosive South African cricketer, Graeme Smith. The team advocated for a fearless batting approach, though at times this left their bowling unit shouldering immense pressure to defend scores.

The Warriors played their home matches at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, located in the vibrant locale of Pune. The venue, later renamed Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, bustled with fans adorned in the team's signature blue-orange kits, revelling in a festival-like atmosphere unique to IPL matches.

Despite their brief existence, the Pune Warriors remain a cherished memory for fans who appreciated their effort and the subtle rivalries they sparked. Their presence, albeit short, added a chapter of plucky resilience and remarkable individual performances to the IPL saga. While their dissolution left an absence, the echoes of ambition and passion linger among cricket followers who fondly recall those adventurous seasons.

Robin Uthappa
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 39

Manish Pandey
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Ross Taylor
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 41

Yuvraj Singh
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 43

Marlon Samuels
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 44

Angelo Mathews
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 37

Mitchell Marsh
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33

Abhishek Nayar
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 41

Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Ashok Dinda
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 41

Rahul Sharma
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak Googly
Age: 38

Tirumalasetti Suman
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 41

Aaron Finch
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 38

Steven Smith
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak Googly
Age: 35

Luke Wright
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 40

Mithun Manhas
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 45

Ajantha Mendis
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 40

Ishwar Pandey
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Ali Murtaza
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 35

Kane Richardson
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 34

Udit Birla
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Mahesh Rawat
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 39

Wayne Parnell
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Krishnakant Upadhyay
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 38

Parvez Rasool
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 36

Raiphi Gomez
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 39

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
City: Pune
Country: India
Capacity: 37406