The Hypothetical T-20 League of Pune- Final Teams

In December 2009, it was proposed to start off a hypothetical T-20 league in Pune featuring 20 teams. A preliminary idea was proposed in this article.Based on this proposal and building on 4 years of research into locations and bases for the teams, the Pune Municipality has hypothetically approved and given a green light to the formation of this league. The long pending approval was finally given a hypothetical go ahead following indecision over the involvement of (Be)Sahara Pune Warriors  in the upcoming IPL after the fallout between Sahara and BCCI. Explaining why the decision took so many years to come to fruition, board member Jajwal Kisskar said “Not enough teams had registered since half of the playing and watching population disappeared to the exotic stadium at Gahunje.” However since “this year participation of Pune was uncertain, and even in case of participation, there was to be a boycott of the IPL team -due to it being a blot on the face of the city, accelerated the creation of the league” he added.

Even if Pune Warriors would have been a part of the IPL, the chances of the local league occurring was a certainty; the abject performance from the PWI team being cited as a key reason for the drastic action. Punekars, it seems had lost patience with the so called superstars who, judging by their performance over the past 3 seasons (when the franchise was a part of IPL), were next in line to have full time access rights on the hallowed turfs on the road outside Shanipar- for obvious reasons. That said, given the fact that IPL cheerleaders and superstars from other teams and other eye candy won’t be coming to the town, the only way to keep Punekar busy during what are otherwise blazingly hot  weeks of April and May  was to organize a hypothetical local T-20 tournament. The added logic behind this, as per sources, is to distract Punekars to sports so that perennial issues which plague the city during these months- such as load shedding, power cuts, drying up of dams to drought level situations, rave parties, urinary riverflows, engineering exams, annual brain drain to US and other controversial issues do not make unwanted headlines on the front pages of local dailies such as Dupaar, Pune Horror, etc and land politicians in a soup.(Its more like chiwda).

The decision to form the league was passed after a unanimous vote of confidence given to its formation in a recently concluded meeting held at Sarasbaag Padva Pahat Samaroha between the Mayor, Corporators, Nagarsevaks and other non working politicians and dignitaries from various wards. The league will be headquartered at the Bhaurao Phanas Ground, although the ground wont be utilized for playing any matches other than the final. The committee of Board of Members was created during the meeting as well and consists of famous political and apolitical faces from the city. The committee will be headed by Mr. Umesh Gultekdi who is known as the Pappa of Sports in Pune, and was singlehandedly responsible for getting the city onto the global sporting arena with fiascos such as 6-CYG(ma). Various other corporators, leaders and personalities from  media houses complete the team. Rushicase Kaanneetkar, of the last ball 4 against Pakistan fame, is also included on the team as a Technical Advisor.  A complete list of the board members is given below:

• Umesh Gultekdi - President
• Shirish Chapat- Vice President
• Sunil Charole- Director
• Udyan Doshi- Treasurer
• Jajwal Kisskar- Publicity and Outreach
• Paradweep Chawat- Publicity and  Outreach
• Chandrakant Tusar- Infrastructure
• Nohit Thalak- Media Outreach and spokesperson.
• Aadhuri Pisal- Sponsorship.
• Mapak Dinkar- Stadium Maintenance.
• Rushicase Kaanneetkar- Technical Advisor.

Other board members with negligible voting rights include remaining corporators and nagarsevaks.

As of now, 20 teams from geographically different areas of the city have been selected representing areas as diverse as Sadashiv Peth, Kasba Peth, Mandai, Parvati, Ganeshkhind, Cantt,Katraj, etc. Matches will take place over 3 months in a round robin league format similar to the EPL, with the top 4 teams qualifying for the semifinals. As of now the dates and schedule for the tournament is yet to be released, but sources tell that it is most likely going to be a direct competition to the IPL, since it is believed no one will watch it as Sachin, Dravid and Dada wont be a part of it. The matches will be played all day on the home grounds of various teams. Places such as Ramanbaug, Mahatma Phule Mandai, Nehru Stadium, Deccan Gymkhana etc will be used as stadiums by the various teams. Each team will contain a squad of about 22 players, although in emergency situations they may be able to draft people only from the wards which they represent. Players will be played on a post-paid basis depending on how they perform throughout the tournament. Bidding for players will be held on a date approved by the University of Pune and Pune Municipality making sure there is no clashes with any practicals or any Bandhs. Players appearing for Engineering exams will be given a special consent to give the exam in December without a backlog in their academic record if they don't do well in the May exams.

We at Puneri Misal have compiled a list of the teams, their home grounds, practice grounds, Snacks and drinks, sponsors and specialities of each team. Have a go through the teams. Support the team with with your heart and tastes as well, for all winners of lucky draw at home contests will  will be given a free voucher at the restaurants and joints serving the team snacks and team drinks!

1) SSN Frugals (Sadashiv Shaniwar Narayan Frugals.)

Home team for: Sadashiv, Shaniwar Narayan Peths

Home ground: SP College Maidan, Ramanbaug.

Practice grounds: Scout Ground.

Sponsors: Chitale Dairy

Team Snack: Bedekar Misal

Team Drink: Sujata Mastani

Team Motto: Jo sutte paise deil tyala match pass miltil.

Broadcast partners: Vijay Talkies, Alka Talkies

Kit Provider: Ramesh Dying.

Head Cheerleader: Smt. Kaveribai Chimanrao Jog. “Kautai”; Mrunmayi Deshpande

2) Mandai Makads

Home team for: Shukrawar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Guruvar Peth.

Home Stadium: Mahatma Phule Mandai.

Practice grounds:

Sponsors: Varpe Bandhu Naralwale

Team Snack: Shrikrushna Misal

Team Drink: Indrayani Rasavanti Gruha Usacha Ras.

Team Motto: “Amcha Ganapati Sharada Ganapati”

Head Cheerleader: Sunny Vahini Dhumal-Patil.

Kit Provider: Tulshibag(Maharashtra) Sportswear

Broadcast Partners: Vasant Talkies, Ratan Talkies.

3) Hadapsar Hippos

Home team for: Hadapsar, Kondhwa, Mundhwa, Wanowrie

Home Stadium: Aditi Gardens, Magarpatta.

Practice grounds:Anna Saheb Magar ground

Sponsors: Magarpatta Developers

Team Snack: Amanora Developers.

Team Drink: Gujar Mastani.

Team Motto: Ek saath- HADAPSAR!

Broadcast Partners: Pvr Cinemas

Kit Provider: Ipassion Sports.

Head Cheerleader: Poonam tai Sasane

4) Kothrud Kutras

Home team for: Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Karve Road, Nalstop, Warje

Home Stadium: Krishnasundar Lawns

Practice grounds: Jog school ground

Sponsors: DG Foundation.

Team Snack: Sweekar Snacks/Mankar Dosa

Team Drink: CAD-M/CAD-B

Team Motto: Kothrud che Kokrus

Head Cheerleader: Kumudini Karve

Kit Provider: Goodwill Hosiery

Broadcast Partners: Citypride Kothrud, Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha

5) Parvati Popats

Home team for: Parvati, SahakarNagar, Neelayam, Sarasbag, Satara Road

Home Stadium: Fulora Maidan

Practice grounds: Relax(Stratigic discussion), Taljai(Actual Practice).

Sponsors: Relax Pav Bhaji.

Team Snack: Relax Pav Bhaji

Team Drink: Relax Chickoo Shake

Team Motto: Ayushyabhar RELAX

Kit Provider: North Point, Parvati

Head Cheerleader: Abhya Kulkarni-Bagul

Broadcast Partners: Relax, Neelayam, Laxminarayan

6) Deccan Dukkars

Home team for: Deccan, Prabhat Road, Law College Road, Bhandarkar Road, BMCC Road, Karve Road upto Nalstop.

Home Stadium: PYC Gymkhana

Practice grounds: PYC, Law college ground.

Sponsors: Champion Sports

Team Snack: Appa chi Khichadi

Team Drink: Irani Chai, Goodluck

Team Motto: “Gar vaare, Nadi Kinaare”

Kit Providers: Champion Sportswear

Head Cheerleader: Indrayani Dakshine.

Broadcast Partners: R-Deccan

7) Fergussonian Firangs

Home team for: FC Road, Remaining parts of deccan, Model Colony, Agricultural college Road, SB Road.

Home Stadium: Fergusson College Ground

Practice grounds: Chittaranjan Vatika, Fergusson chi Tekdi.

Sponsors: Vaishali Restaurant

Team Snack: SPDP

Team Drink: Roopali Coffee extra kadak.

Team Motto: F**k the rest, we are the best yaa.

Head Cheerleader: Salonee Hotkarni

Broadcast Partners: Kimaya, FC Road, R-Deccan

Kit Providers: Tilak Sports.

8) Paud Road Roadies

Home team for: Paud Road, Ideal Colony, Bhusari Colony

Home Stadium: MIT college ground

Practice grounds: Ideal Colony

Sponsors: Vanaz

Team Snack: Chaitanya Paratha

Team Drink: Durga Cold Coffee

Team Motto: Rasta Bapacha, gadi bungawaaa

Head Cheerleader: Anandi Kulkarni

Kit Provider: MG Sports

Broadcast Partners: City Pride Kothrud, Yashwantrao Chavan

9) Ganeshkhind Gorillas

Home team for: Ganeshkhind Road, Baner, Aundh, Khadki

Home Stadium: Range Hill

Practice grounds: Government Polytechnic ground

Sponsors: E-Square

Team Snack: Kadhai  

Team Drink: Coffee stop

Team Motto: GG ka team na gaon ka na ghar ka

Head Cheerleader: Parmila Singh Mukherjee

Kit Provider: Natekar Sports

Broadcast Partners: E-Square

10) Kasba Kavalas

Home team for: Kasba Peth, Somwar, Mangalwar and Rasta Peth

Home Stadium: Santaji Ghorpade Stadium, Juna Bazaar

Practice grounds: Juna Bazaar

Sponsors: Nakoda Metalworks

Team Snack: Shahji’s Paratha

Team Drink: Jay Bajarang Raswanti Gruha

Team Motto: “Amhi prachin Punekar”

Head Cheerleader: Pureka Sunekar

Kit Provider: AG Kachi & Sons

Broadcast Partners: Appolo Talkies

11) Swargate Travellers:

Home team for: Swargate, Marketyard, Mukundnagar

Home Stadium: Nehru Stadium

Practice grounds: Marketyard  

Sponsors: Gultekdi Marketyard Sangha

Team Snack: Panchami Veg.

Team Drink: Swaminath Milkshake

Team Motto: Ya Ravji, tumhi Bus-a-bhavji.

Head Cheerleader: Swargatee Barate

Kit Provider: Nu Life Sportswear

Broadcast Partners: City Pride Satara Road, Ganesh Kala Krida Mancha

12) Cantonment Campers

Home team for: Camp, Wanowrie, Kondhwa

Home Stadium: Pune Race Course

Practice grounds: St. Vincent’s Ground

Sponsors: Dorabjee’s

Team Snack: Budhani Wafers, Marzorin Sandwich

Team Drink: Clover Juice Centre- Pineapple juice

Team Motto: “Here we come YZs”

Head Cheerleader: Amruta Arore-Patil

Kit Provider: Planet Sports

Broadcast Partners: Westend

13) Shivajinagar Psychos

Home team for:  Shivajinagar, JM Road, Apte Road, Bhamburda

Home Stadium:  CoEP ground

Practice grounds: Agricultural college Ground

Sponsors: Shruti Mangal Karyalay

Team Snack: Modern Cafe Puri Bhaji

Team Drink: Shrikrushna Juice Center

Team Motto: Chaahe Koi mujhe Junglee Maharaj kahe

Head Cheerleader: Mangala Bhamburdekar

Kit Provider: Deccan Sports

Broadcast Partners: Mangala, Rahul

14) Hinjewadi Hagglers

Home team for: Hinjewadi IT Park

Home Stadium: Hinjewadi Park

Practice grounds: Infosys Basketball Court

Sponsors: Infosys

Team Snack: Tamanna Cafeteria

Team Drink: Tamanna Cafeteria

Team Motto: “Aytit ala, ITeet gela”

Head Cheerleader: Tanisha Sahasragupt Kohli

Kit Provider: SS Sports

Broadcast Partners:Capriccio Movie Theater

15) Bohri Ali Brainiacs

Home team for: Ravivar Peth, Ganesh Peth, Ghorpade Peth, Nana Peth, Bhavani Peth

Home Stadium: Ghorpade Udyan

Practice grounds: Timber Market

Sponsors: Bohri Ali Hardware Shop Union

Team Snack: Purohit Sweets

Team Drink: Kela Tea Centre

Team Motto: “Inshallah We Rock”

Head Cheerleader: Sakina Nusrat ul Jaan

Kit provider: Traxindia

Broadcast Partners: Alpana, Bharat

16) KP Partywallas

Home team for: Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar

Home Stadium: JN Petit School Ground

Practice grounds: ABC Farms

Sponsors: YZS Associates

Team Snack: Burger King

Team Drink: Frappy

Team Motto: “Rock On at the HRC!!!”

Head Cheerleader: Annie Chunawala

Kit Provider: LD Bhave & Sons

Broadcast Partners: Hardrock Cafe

17) Balewadi Badaks

Home team for: Balewadi,Sus, Pashan, Bavdhan

Home Stadium:  Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium, Balewadi

Practice grounds: Scientist Hostel ground, Pashan

Sponsors: Charan Sweets, Gol Market

Team Snack: Joshi Wadewale

Team Drink: CCD Chandani Chowk

Team Motto: “CYG(ma) 6 stadium!”

Head Cheerleader: Sanaatai Bhutte

Kit Provider: Natekar Sports

Broadcast Partners: Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex, Kalam Auditorium

18) Katraj Kolhas

Home team for: Katraj, Bibwewadi, Padmavati, Dhankawadi

Home Stadium: Bharati Vidyapeeth Ground

Practice grounds: Rajas Society

Sponsors: D-Mart

Team Snack: D-Mart

Team Drink: D-Mart

Team Motto: Saap ala kadhi an dasla kadhi

Head Cheerleader: Janabai Jugad

Kit Provider: Atharva Sportswear

Broadcast Partners: Citypride Satara Road

19) Vitthalwadi Warriors

Home team for: Vitthalwadi, Sinhagad Road, Wadgaon, Dhayari

Home Stadium: Sinhagad Institute of Technology, Ground

Practice grounds: Bhidebaag(Abhiruchi)

Sponsors: Venkateshwara Hatcheries

Team Snack: Annapurna Wadewale

Team Drink: Kailash Juice Bar, SIT

Team Motto: Budruk, Khurda, Hingane, Bingane, saglikade fakta Vittha Vitthal

Head Cheerleader: Irawati Vitthal Dhayrigude

Kit Providers: Shakti Sports

Broadcast Partners: Funtime, Abhiruchi

20) Lohegaon Jets

Home team for: Lohegaon, Nagar Road, Yerawada, Viman Nagar

Home Stadium: Anand Garden

Practice grounds: Pune Golf Course

Sponsors: Phoenix Mall

Team Snack: Chaat Bazaar

Team Drink:  Starbucks

Team Motto: “ghetla Viman, Kela uddan”

Head Cheerleader: Mallika Lulla

Kit Provider: Total Sports

Broadcast Partners: BIG Cinemas

These are the 20 teams that will take part in the inaugural PPL organized by Pune Municipality. We have covered Home stadiums, practice grounds as well as team snacks and drinks as well as kit providers to make it easy for the fans of each team to make up their loyalties. We will update the special interesting feature of each team in this space shortly- once the player auction has been done and teams are finalized. Details will be provided for what kind of attitude to expect from each team, as well as their idiosyncrasies. Keep a watch for this space, for it will be updated soon! Till then, we thank Umesh Bhau Gultekdi and his team for organizing such a grand event for us Punekars! 

Sincere thanks to: Sanjeev Gadgil, Anant Devi, Pranav Phadke, Aniket Kunjir, Hrushikesh Sagar and Anushree Datar for helping to compile the list and fill imaginary and hypothetical names in one way or the other. We also thank Zomato.com Google maps etc.