IPL: 4 popular cricketers who you didn't know were once a part of now-defunct Pune Warriors India

Pune Warriors India are one of the four defunct franchises in the history of IPL. Despite having established stars in their squad, they failed to get going and managed to finish only in the second-last position in their three-year campaign.

While most of the IPL followers would know that Steve Smith, Sourav Ganguly, Michael Clarke, Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa were once a part of this side, there has been a complete set of others players who they would not know were once a part of Pune Warriors India.

Here we will look at those players who were once a part of this side.

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#4 Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith

However, he was released by Pune Warriors India the very next season as he could not provide explosive starts at the top of the order, possessing a strike rate of just 110.63. Graeme Smith, the former South African captain was a part of 2008 IPL winning side with Rajasthan Royals.

After having three impressive seasons with Rajasthan Royals, he was acquired by Pune Warriors India for 2.2 crores in the 2011 auction.

#4 Ishwar Pandey

With the termination of Pune Warriors India in 2014, he was acquired by Chennai Super Kings for 1.5 crores. Due to lack of consistency, he found no takers this season. Not many would have known that Pandey was a part of Pune Warriors India.Ishwar Pandey has probably been one of the faded stars of IPL. From getting a national call-up to going nowhere, he has experienced it all. The medium pacer was roped in by Pune Warriors India in 2013 after he had an impressive season playing for Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji trophy.

#2 Tim Paine

Tim Paine

Tim Paine is the cricketer who is currently having the best time of his career. From being nowhere to get a call-up and then to become the captain of Australia, he couldn't have asked for anything better than this.

The wicket-keeper batsman was bought by Pune Warriors India for 1.20 crores. He was subsequently released by the franchise as he could not make much of an impact, where he scored just 10 runs from 2 innings.

#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently one of the most prized possession of Indian cricket. The medium pacer has also been a critical cog for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their dream run this season.

The talented bowler was unearthed by Pune Warriors India for whom he performed exorbitantly without any flaw. His impressive performances for Pune got him enough recognition that was required for a national call-up.

Due to termination of Pune Warriors, he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad where he has played a pivotal role in their successful run over the years.