Rising Pune Supergiants launch their jersey for IPL 2016

The Sanjeev Goenka owned Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG) today launched its jersey at an event in Delhi. India’s limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who will lead the RPSG, was also present at the launch. The

The team had last month unveiled its name and logo. After their picks in the IPL auction the team now features some of the biggest names in international cricket. Prior to that they had signed MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith, Faf du Plessis and R Ashwin in the IPL Draft.

They picked another 16 players in the auction which was held on 8th February. Stars such as Kevin Pietersen, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma alongside other T20 specialists will also feature in the team.

With MS Dhoni the most successful IPL captain set to lead the team, the expectations are high despite this being their debut season.

Dhoni also addressed the media at the event and answered a few questions ranging from how difficult it was to leave CSK to the players he has at his disposal at RPSG. He said: “After 8 years of IPL, it feels different to lead a different team. I would be lying if I say I have moved on. That is the special part of being a human being. There is got to be an emotional connect after eight years (with CSK).”

“If you want me to be politically correct, that is not how I am. After eight years of IPL, it feels very different to play for any other team. All of a sudden if you want me to say that I am very excited to play for a new team, don’t give credit to CSK and the fans for the love and affection they have given us, it will be wrong.

“But as a professional, I would like to thank the Pune team for taking me. Of course there will be added responsibility as captain but as a professional we are supposed to do the job with more than 100 hundred percent commitment. And that is what we will try to do,”

Will he miss his CSK teammates most of whom were around him for quite a long. He added, “There are a lot of players we will miss. We were together for eight years, our core group was the same. We were so consistent and our strength was that we played as a team. We have taken some former CSK players but then at the auction, the two new teams were expected to do most of the buying. If you look at the six other franchises, they have a settled lot.

Therefore, the pressure will be on the new franchise,”

Suresh Raina is considered his best buddy and the two have played together for India and at CSK for years but this time Dhoni will be leading Pune and Raina will meet him at the other side as skipper of Gujarat Lions. On facing him MS said, “We all know how destructive Raina is. At the same time, he will just not be playing me and us, he will be playing against the other teams too. He will be trying is best to do well. We have to make sure that we do the job that is expected from us.”

The team also managed to rope in Kevin Pietersen in the auction, while he is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen is also a tricky customer to manage around. Dhoni said: “Every player will have a role in the team. There is a basic way every cricketer plays. KP is fantastic, somebody who is aggressive and expressive on the field. Not only that, he like other seniors, has an added responsibility to groom the youngsters. We will have to wait and watch (about KP’s behaviour) but I don’t think it will be an issue,”

He also thanked the Pune team owners for giving him the opportunity, “Thanks to owners for showing faith in me. My team look good and hope they perform up to their potential. Good to have Stephen Fleming back as coach. He is an outstanding thinker.”

Dhoni, when asked about the team combination of his new team said, “With the inclusion of Saurabh Tiwary and Albie Morkel it is a balanced side. The more the all-rounders, the better the team. Considering that my team is perfect.”

How does the Pune team look like after the auction? – IPL 2016 Auction Analysis: Rising Pune Supergiants