Pune IPL team unveils new name, captain and logo

ByPress Release, SportsCafe Editor

01/18/2016

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The Sanjiv Goenka-owned Pune IPL team today announced the naming of its franchisee as Rising Pune Super Giants. Mr Goenka also named Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as the team’s captain for the upcoming IPL 2016 season slated to begin in April 2016.

On Dhoni's captaincy, Mr. Goenka added, “I welcome MS Dhoni as the captain of Rising Pune Supergiants for the 2016 season. He has always been a phenomenal leader for teams that he has represented, including the Indian national cricket squad. As a result, his track record as a captain as well as a player in both domestic and international arenas has been remarkable. I firmly believe MS Dhoni will lead our team extremely well on and off the field. “

In the December draft, Team Pune got on-board names such as Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith. The auction to rope in the rest of the players is set to happen on 6th February.

Pune have also explained the thinking behind choosing the name and the logo.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group said, “I hope Rising Pune Supergiants would aptly embody the DNA of the team that we believe in.”

“The name ‘Rising Pune Supergiants’ is based on a very strong foundation with the word ‘Rising’ at a deeper level tracing back to the free spirit of ‘Pune’ that never bows down before any odds. Moreover, it also depicts the heights of excellence the new team aspires to achieve being ably assisted with players like Dhoni and his team.

“The logo has a great feel and its visual elements are an amalgamation of cricketing gears. The overall impression is of ‘soaring high’. The font chosen is also bold and imparts a sense of solidity. The purple colour of the ball signifies the combination of energy and stability the team possess,” read the press release by their media team.

Meanwhile, Pune's name has evoked mixed reactions on Twitter, even Ramesh Srivats has tried to explain the reason behind the naming.

RP-Sanjiv Goeknka -> RPSG -> Rising Pune Supergiants. Initial problems for the Pune team.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) January 18, 2016

Rising Pune Super Giants. Not sure if cricket team or viagra capsule.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 18, 2016

By the time Commentator says Rising Pune Supergiants Dhoni can make a stump out
— . (@beingSUPERHERO) January 18, 2016

Breaking News: Rising Pune Supergiants is the scientific nomenclature for the team. Real name will be revealed later.
— Mihir Gujjewar® (@I_am__No_one) January 18, 2016