5 interesting similarities between Sourav Ganguly's Pune Warriors India and MS Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants

3. Common links

Mitchell Marsh, Ashok Dinda and Steve Smith were a part of both Sourav and Dhoni’s teams

Both the sides have three common links. Three players represented both the sides; they are: Steve Smith, Ashok Dinda and Mitchell Marsh.

Steve Smith played well for both the franchises amassing 362 and 270 runs in 2012 and 2014 respectively. This year, the Australian skipper played only 8 games before pulling out from the tournament owing to an injury. Smith, in his time with RPS, scored a hundred even though it went in vain as his side lost that game to Gujarat Lions.

Ashok Dinda featured for both the sides, picking up 7 and 9 wickets respectively in 2012 and 2014. Whilst he has picked up 7 wickets once again this year, his economy rate has improved since 2012 with the bowler giving away 7.04 runs per over compared to 8.08 in 2012.

The young Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was part of both the franchises. Whilst not playing a single game in 2012, this year’s IPL saw him make only 3 appearances before crashing out of the tournament due to an injury