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The Pune-based IPL franchise, Pune Warriors India played their first T20 game in the 4th edition of Indian Premier League against Kings XI Punjab. They played three seasons and failed to reach the playoffs on all occasions. PWI finished at last in the 2012 season and came second-last in the 2011 and the 2013 IPL seasons.
Pune Warriors India were one of the five franchises which are no longer in the IPL fraternity. After the 2013 IPL season, the Pune Warriors India owners withdrew from the Indian Premier League due to financial differences with the BCCI.
They had some International stars in the squad but failed to scratch the code to win the IPL trophy. While most fans will remember the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Steve Smith donning the Pune Warriors India jersey, there were a few big names they might not remember were a part of the PWI squad. Let us now look at the players who probably didn't know were once a part of Pune Warriors India.
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#5 James Faulkner
The destructive Australian all-rounder has represented four different franchises in the Indian Premier League - the now-defunct Pune Warriors India, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions.
James Faulkner, who played for Tasmania in the domestic cricket, has played in Big Bash League and cash-rich Indian Premier League.
Faulkner started his Indian Premier League stint with Pune Warriors India in 2011. He played just one game for Pune Warriors India before moving to Kings XI Punjab in 2012. Faulkner played two games for KXIP and picked three wickets with the best bowling figure of 2/41.
He had a forgettable start to his IPL career, but he became successful after moving to Rajasthan Royals in 2013.
After BCCI suspended Rajasthan Royals from IPL for two years, Faulkner was bought Gujarat Lions and spent two seasons with them before going unsold in the 2018 IPL auction.
#4 Michael Clarke
The former Australian batsman has played for Pune Warriors India in the Indian Premier League.
One of the finest batsmen of his generation, Michael Clarke was bought by Pune Warriors India in the 2012 IPL auctions. Clarke, who has over 8000 Test runs and 7000 ODI runs, had played just 6 games for Pune Warriors India in 2012 and 2013.
Clarke has scored 98 runs in six games that he played for Pune Warriors India. He had an average of just 16.33 with the best knock of 41 and he finished his IPL career without any half-century.
He opted out of Indian Premier League auction in 2014 to reduce his workload. The former Australian cricketer ended his International career after winning the World Cup as captain in 2015.
#3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The Indian pacer has played for three different franchises in the Indian Premier League - Royal Challengers Bangalore, the now-defunct Pune Warriors India and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
One of the finest bowlers of this generation, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009. However, he had a forgettable start to his IPL career as he did not get an opportunity to wear the Red jersey in 2009 and 2010.
Then, he was picked by Pune Warriors India in 2011 and spent three seasons with them. Bhuvneshwar Kumar represented PWI in 31 games and bagged 24 wickets at an economy of around 7.
But, he became successful in the Indian Premier League after moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2014 IPL season. In 2016, he picked 23 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad and helped his team to clinch their maiden IPL title.
#2 Graeme Smith
The former South Africa skipper has represented two different franchises in the history of Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors India.
In the fourth edition of Indian Premier League auction, he was bought by Pune Warriors India. Graeme Smith had played four games and managed to score just 42 runs at a poor average of 10.50.
Pune Warriors India had decided to release him ahead of the 2012 Indian Premier League season. The former South Africa skipper opted out of IPL to recover from the injuries.
Smith, who had tasted more success in the International cricket, represented Rajasthan Royals in 2008.
He spent three years with Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals. The former Cape Cobras cricketer had played 25 games and scored 697 runs with the best knock of 91.
#1 Manish Pandey
The Indian player has represented five different franchises in the IPL - Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Manish Pandey, who started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians, had a forgettable season in 2008.
In 2009, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore and he reposed the faith of RCB owners by scoring a brilliant century in 2009 IPL season.
Then he moved to Pune Warriors India in 2011 and spent three seasons with them before they withdrew from IPL. He represented PWI in 27 games and accumulated 525 runs including three fifties.
After a decent stint with Pune Warriors, he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders and helped his team to clinch the second IPL title.
In 2014 IPL, he had scored 401 runs with the best knock of 94 against Kings XI Punjab in the final. Pandey was represented KKR in four seasons before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018.
Did we miss out on someone from our list? Sound off in the comments section below!
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