PBG Kolhapur Tuskers: Know All About Players, Owners, Captains, Coaches, Records, and More

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers are a professional T20 cricket team representing the vibrant city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). The Tuskers made their debut in the 2023 edition of the MPL. Kolhapur Tuskers are set to grab Kolhapur Tuskers's attention during the MPL Season 3 as it aims to form a competitive club by mixing new and young players with more experienced and established players.

It has been known for its deep cultural roots and love towards sports. Kolhapur wrestled the Tuskers with astonishing passion, as they are particularly famous for kabaddi and wrestling bouts. As a representation of the Kolhapur region, the powerful Tusker (elephant) symbolises strength and endurance along with great historical and regional pride. The ownership by Punit Balan Group is a significant boost to the franchise’s credibility and future.

Team Information

Punit Balan Group (PBG) is an exciting sports-focused organisation that invests in a variety of athletic disciplines. The Tuskers hope to be a shining example for budding cricketers in Maharashtra by combining grassroots cricket development with top-tier play. With a combination of youth, experience, and competent management, they are progressively establishing a significant presence in the MPL.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Jersey and Logo

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers jersey for the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) is a striking blend of colour, identity, and regional pride. The jersey showcases a bold design language that speaks to both tradition and modern athleticism. With a primary colour palette of deep navy blue and vibrant crimson red, the jersey reflects strength, energy, and confidence — traits synonymous with the tusker (elephant), which the team is named after. The upper half of the jersey, including the chest and sleeves, is dominated by a deep navy blue shade, symbolising calm, determination, and resilience.

The sleeves are mixed with red borders, maintaining balance and flow throughout the kit. It has a prominent feature on the chest is the Gravittus Foundation logo, a key sponsor, centred beneath the collar in white and gold. Above it sits the iYprich logo. The team logo, located over the heart (left chest), is a well-crafted emblem that captures the spirit of the Kolhapur Tuskers. The logo depicts a stylised elephant head, the team’s namesake, symbolising might, wisdom, and heritage. On the right sleeve, the MPL logo is featured, signifying the team's official participation in the Maharashtra Premier League.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Captain, Vice-Captain, Details

Rahul Tripathi serves as the captain of the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers for the 2025 Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) Season 3. An experienced top-order batter with stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and appearances for the Indian national team, Tripathi brings leadership and batting prowess to the Tuskers.

Vice-captain is Shrikant Mundhe, a seasoned all-rounder with experience in domestic cricket and previous IPL teams. Mundhe's all-rounder role as a middle-order batter and medium-pace bowler adds depth to the team's lineup. The team went for the ‘Aarti’ right ahead of the competition, and Rahul Tripathi, their captain, has been confident of winning the third season of MPL.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers History

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers are one of the most exciting franchises in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), representing the historic and culturally rich city of Kolhapur. Established in 2023, the team is owned by the Punit Balan Group (PBG). In the inaugural MPL season (2023), the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers burst onto the scene with a talented roster led by senior professionals and promising young stars. With a balanced side and aggressive cricketing intent, the Tuskers reached the finals, showcasing consistency.

The second season in 2024 saw the Tuskers maintain their competitive edge. With players like Rahul Tripathi, Ankeet Bawne, and Shrikant Mundhe forming the backbone of the team, they again reached the playoffs, finishing among the top four. Heading into the 2025 MPL Season 3, the Kolhapur Tuskers are hungrier than ever. With Rahul Tripathi continuing as captain and Shrikant Mundhe as vice-captain, the team has undergone intense pre-season preparation in Pune.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Owner

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers are owned by the Punit Balan Group (PBG). Punit started working with his father, S Balan, at the age of 16, having learnt the ropes early, he formed the Punit Balan Group, which is into Construction, Real Estate, Film Production, Sports, with a presence in India, Spain, and Dubai. He owns Pune Jaguars (tennis), Mumbai Khiladis (kho kho) and Maharashtra Ironmen (handball), Kolhapur Tuskers (Cricket), Bengaluru Smashers (Table Tennis), Mumbai Muscle (Pro Panja). Balan has also provided sponsorship money to several players. Under his leadership, the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers were launched in 2023 to participate in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL).

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Administration and Support Staff

There have been many people who have been behind a successful cricket team. They are not often credited for the success of the franchise. They look after things behind the scenes, ensuring that everything operates smoothly, that the players develop to their potential, and that game plans are executed. The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, one of the rising forces in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), is no exception.

Head Coach

Akshay Darekar, a former Maharashtra left-arm spinner, serves as the head coach of PBG Kolhapur Tuskers. He has been known for his sharp cricketing intellect and calm demeanour. Darekar transitioned smoothly from professional cricket into coaching.

Mentor

Akshay Darekar provides guidance and support to players and coaching staff, sharing valuable insights from their cricketing careers. Their role is crucial in shaping team culture and boosting player confidence.

Batting Coach

There is no information about the batting coach of the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers team. It is believed that the head coach of the team, Akshay Darekar, will also be the batting coach.

Bowling Coach

The team does not yet have an official bowling coach. This role would typically involve helping bowlers develop plans against opposition batsmen, improve variations, and enhance bowling fitness throughout the season.

Fielding Coach

There is no information about the bowling coach of the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers team. It is believed that the head coach of the team, Akshay Darekar, will also be the bowling coach.

Assistant Fielding Coach

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers haven’t officially designated a separate fielding coach for their MPL 2025 campaign. There’s no mention of one in any public coaching list.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Sponsorships

For the 2025 season, the Gravittus Foundation served as the title sponsor for the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers. This partnership was prominently showcased on the team's official social media platform. AayricH appears to be a branding or apparel-related sponsor, possibly involved in sportswear or lifestyle clothing. "VIRAT" could either refer to a sports apparel brand or a custom kit manufacturer. In Indian contexts, the name is commonly connected with power or quality. The Punit Balan Group is a well-known corporate group engaged in real estate, entertainment, and sports ownership and management.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Social Media

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers maintain an engaging presence across major social media platforms, connecting with fans and cricket lovers throughout Maharashtra and India. They provide glimpses of MPL, team achievements, and behind-the-scenes training videos.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Instagram

The team’s Instagram page is the most engaging platform, offering high-quality images, match highlights, training snippets, jersey launches, and reels. It has more than 86.8K followers, which showcases the team's identity and fan following across Maharashtra. The Instagram handle name is @kolhapur_tuskers.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Twitter

The team shares live line-ups, match updates, milestones, and post-match reactions. The Twitter handle is @kohlapurtuskers. It has 12 followers, which showcases the team's identity.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Facebook

With a focus on building community engagement, their Facebook page is regularly updated with posters, match announcements, and video highlights. It has 27K followers and the name is @PBG Kolhapur Tuskers.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Stats

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers have had a mixed journey in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) since their inception. In the most recent seasons, the team has played consistently, featuring in 16 games and has a decent win record as well.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Batting Stats

Ankeet Bawne leads the chart for runs scored, and he has been a consistent and impactful batter. He is the leading run scorer for the franchise with a total of 883 runs in 21 matches. He topped the team's run charts and played a vital role in anchoring the batting unit.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Bowling Stats

Shreyash Chavan emerged as the most successful bowler for PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, finishing as the team’s highest wicket-taker. In 13 matches, he has 22 wickets, consistently providing breakthroughs.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Performance Over the Years

Since their debut, the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers have progressed steadily in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). They made an impressive start in the 2023 season. The Tuskers won four of five matches and finished second, indicating their potential as formidable challengers. The next year, in 2024, they played more games and maintained a balanced performance, winning 5 of 10 matches and finishing third overall. As the 2025 season begins, the Tuskers have had a poor start, currently sitting fourth after their first match.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers 2025 Squad: Players to Watch Out For

• Ankeet Bawane: Ankeet Bawane has been the cornerstone of the PBG Kolhapur Tuskers' batting unit, delivering consistent performances season after season. Bawane combines elegance with aggression. In the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), he has emerged as the team's leading run-getter, highlighted by his stellar performances in 2023 and 2024.
• Rahul Tripathi: Rahul Tripathi is the dynamic batting force every T20 side dreams of having, and for PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, he's been a match-winner. Known for his explosive strokeplay and fearless approach, Tripathi injects energy at the top of the order. His IPL experience will be crucial in the 2025 season.
• Shreyash Chavan: Shreyash Chavan has rapidly become the go-to bowler for PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, thanks to his consistency, control, and wicket-taking ability. A right-arm spinner with exceptional variation, Chavan led the bowling charts for the Tuskers in the 2024 season.

PBG Kolhapur Tuskers Full Squad

Rahul Tripathi, Ankeet Bawane, Shreyas Chavan, Sumit Markali, Atman Pore, Rajneesh Gurbani, Hardik Kurangale, Shubham Mane, Nilay Newaskar, Deepak Dangi, Sumit Dhengle, Shrikant Mundhe, Dhanraj Shinde, Anand Thenge, Nihal Tusamad, Sachin Dhas, Siddharth Mhatre, Atharva Wanve, Bhargav Pathak, Ayush Ubhe, Rajveer Jagtap, Digvijay Jadhav, Rhuturaj Veerkar, Vishant More, Arya Shah, Vedant Patil, Dilip Malviya, Sunil Yadav