Kolhapur Tuskers

The PBG Kolhapur Tuskers, commonly known as Kolhapur Tuskers or Tuskers, is a Twenty20 (T20) cricket team that represents Kolhapur, a city in Maharashtra known for its rich cultural heritage and passion for sports, in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). The team made their debut in the tournament’s inaugural season in 2023. The team embodies the spirit of Kolhapur, symbolized by the powerful tusker (elephant), which reflects strength, endurance, and regional pride.

Owned by the Punit Balan Group (PBG), the Tuskers aim to combine young talent and experienced players to create a competitive team that will appeal to fans and inspire aspiring cricketers across Maharashtra.

The Kolhapur Tuskers jersey for MPL is a stunning combination of colour, identity and regional pride. The jersey features a bold design that reflects both tradition and modern athleticism. With a primary colour palette of deep navy blue and vibrant crimson red, it represents strength, energy and confidence – qualities associated with the tusker (elephant) after which the team is named.

Kolhapur Tuskers Cricket Team History

The Kolhapur Tuskers were established in 2023 as one of the founding franchises of the Maharashtra Premier League, a T20 cricket tournament organized by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA). The team was founded with the goal of promoting grassroots cricket while also showcasing top-tier talent in Maharashtra. The franchise made an immediate impact in the debut season by finishing as runners-up, showcasing their potential despite rain-affected matches disrupting their campaign. In their first season, the team was led by former India international Kedar Jadhav. Under his leadership, the team quickly gained a reputation for their aggressive playing style and strong fan support.

In 2024, the Tuskers continued their early success, unveiling a new team jersey and strengthening their squad with strategic acquisitions such as Shrikant Mundhe and Aniket Porwal. Despite their strong performance in the 2024 season, they fell short of winning the title, with rain again playing spoilsport in the final. By 2025, the team appointed a new captain, Rahul Tripathi, and focused on intensive pre-season training to refine their strategies and aim to clinch the MPL title in season 3. The Tuskers' journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a growing legacy in Maharashtra's cricket landscape.

Kolhapur Turkers Cricket Team Information: Owner, Captain, Coach

Below are the details of the Kolhapur Tuskers team owners, captains, coaching staff and other staff related to the team.

Owner: Punit Balan Group

The Punit Balan Group (PBG), led by Punit Balan, owns the Kolhapur Tuskers. Balan, who began his career at the age of 16 under his father, S. Balan, has built PBG into a conglomerate with interests in construction, real estate, film production, and sports. The group owns teams in various sports, including the Pune Jaguars (tennis), Mumbai Khiladis (kho-kho), Maharashtra Ironmen (handball), Mumbai Muscle (Pro Panja) and Bengaluru Smashers (table tennis). Balan's vision for the Tuskers is to promote cricket at the grassroots level, while also creating a competitive franchise that reflects the sporting passion of Kolhapur. His leadership has provided the team with financial stability and reliability, allowing for strategic player acquisitions and strong pre-season preparations.

Captain: Rahul Tripathi

Initially led by former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav in the 2023 and 2024 season, the Tuskers appointed Rahul Tripathi as the team's captain from MPL's Season 3 in 2025. He is an experienced top-order batter with a notable IPL career and brief stints with the Indian national team. Tripathi is known for his aggressive batting style and calm leadership. He brings a wealth of experience to the Tuskers. His responsibilities include formulating strategies on the field, mentoring the young players and anchoring the batting lineup. Tripathi's confidence in the team's preparation and his focus on process-driven performance make him a key figure in the Tuskers' pursuit of the MPL title.

Vice-Captain: Shrikant Mundhe

Shrikant Mundhe is the vice-captain of the team, who was appointed in 2024. He is a seasoned all-rounder with experience in domestic cricket and previous IPL stints with Kolkata Knight Riders and Sahara Pune Warriors. As a middle-order batter and medium-pace bowler, Mundhe adds depth to the squad. His duties include supporting Tripathi in decision-making, contributing with bat and ball, and guiding younger players. His experience in high-pressure situations is crucial for the team’s success.

Head Coach: Akshay Darekar

Akshay Darekar, a former Maharashtra left-arm spinner, serves as the head coach of Kolhapur Tuskers. With extensive knowledge of the domestic circuit, Darekar focuses on tactical planning, player development, and team cohesion. He has led the Tuskers to the playoffs in both previous MPL seasons. His experience as a player and coach makes him proficient at aligning the team with PBG’s vision.

Assistant Coach: Amit Kushte

The Tuskers' assistant coach Amit Kushte supports Darekar in implementing training regimens and refining player roles. His role involves analyzing opposition strategies and assisting with game plans, ensuring the team is well-prepared for each match.

Fielding Coach: Amit Patil

Amit Patil, a former Ranji player and assistant coach for the Maharashtra Ranji team, focuses on boosting the team’s fielding standards. His intensive drills during pre-season camps aim to enhance agility and precision, critical for T20 cricket. Patil’s local expertise helps tailor training to suit MPL conditions.

Physio: Shreyans Bafna, Sameer Ushkewar, Steven Mathew

Kolhapur Tuskers have three physios, Shreyans Bafna, Sameer Ushkewar, and Steven Mathe,w to look after the players' fitness. Their role involves ensuring players stay fit and recover quickly from injuries, helping them maintain peak performance throughout the season.

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Sanatan Vinod

Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sanatan Vinod, designs individual training regimes to enhance core stability, endurance and explosive power. His work ensures that players remain fit, flexible and prepared for the demands of modern cricket.

Kolhapur Tuskers Cricket Team Performance in MPL Over the Years

The Kolhapur Tuskers have been a consistent force in the MPL since their debut in 2023. Since their debut in the Maharashtra Premier League in 2023, the Tuskers have been a team with potential, though they are yet to win their first MPL title. Below is a summary of their performance:

2023 (Inaugural Season): The Tuskers, led by Kedar Jadhav, finished as runners-up in the first season. Out of five league matches, the team won four games, showcasing dominance with players like Ankeet Bawne, the season’s highest run-scorer (363 runs in 8 matches) and Manoj Yadav, the highest wicket-taker for Tuskers (11 wickets in 8 matches). The rain-interrupted matches, including a washed-out final against the Ratnagiri Jets, cost them the title, as the Jets won based on a superior net run rate.

2024 (Season 2): The Tuskers, under Jadhav’s leadership, opened their campaign against Ratnagiri Jets. They strengthened their squad with players like Shrikant Mundhe and Aniket Porwal. In this season, the Tuskers made it to the Playoffs but lost in Qualifier 2 against the Eagle Nashik Titans. Ankeet Bawne was again the season’s highest run-scorer, with 415 runs in 12 matches, and Shreyash Chavan was the leading wicket-taker for Turkers and the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament (20 wickets in 12 matches).

Kolhapur Tuskers Cricket Team Records

The Kolhapur Tuskers have achieved notable milestones in their short history in the league as of now.

• Runners-Up (2023): Finished second in the inaugural MPL season, winning four of five league matches.

• Playoffs (2024): Reached Qualifier 2, with key victories including a 32-run win against Satara Warriors in Eliminator.

• Highest Run-Scorer (2023/2024): Ankeet Bawne led the MPL in runs, anchoring the batting lineup. In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he was the season's top scorer.

• Highest Team Total (2024): In the MPL 2024 season, the Turkers scored 226/4 against Eagle Nashik Titans in 19 overs while chasing the target of 222 runs. Tuskers beat Titans by 6 wickets.

• Highest Individual Score (2023): Ankeet Bawne scored the tournament’s second-highest score in the inaugural season. He smashed 105 runs against the Ratnagiri Jets. His innings included 11 fours and 4 sixes.

Kolhapur Tuskers Fan Trivia and Social Media Links

Fan Trivia

• Team Mascot: The Tusker (elephant) symbolizes Kolhapur’s strength and cultural pride.
• Jersey Design: The navy blue and crimson red jersey reflects resilience and energy, unveiled in glitzy ceremonies in 2024 and 2025.
• Fan Chant: “De Takkar” (Take on the Challenge) embodies the team’s aggressive approach.
• Youth Focus: The Tuskers include eight U-23 players in 2025, making them a favourite among young fans.
• Cultural Connection: Kolhapur’s love for kabaddi and wrestling translates into passionate cricket support, with fans known for their vibrant match-day energy.

Social Media Links

• Twitter/X: https://x.com/kohlapurtuskers 
• Instagram: @kolhapur_tuskers
• Facebook: @PBG Kolhapur Tuskers