Rising Pune Supergiant was another of the IPL’s temporary replacement franchises, created alongside Gujarat Lions to fill in for suspended teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals following the 2013 spot-fixing scandal. It played just two seasons, 2016 and 2017, reaching the final in its second and final year.
The team was owned by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, led by billionaire businessman Sanjiv Goenka. When Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals returned to the IPL in 2018, Rising Pune Supergiant was disbanded — but Goenka made clear at the time he intended to return to the IPL when the opportunity arose. That opportunity came in 2021, when RPSG Group launched an entirely new franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants, based in Uttar Pradesh rather than Pune.
Quick Facts
| Team | Rising Pune Supergiant (defunct) |
|---|---|
| Owner | RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group |
| Active Seasons | 2016-2017 only |
| Best Finish | Runners-up, 2017 |
| Reason for Disbandment | Temporary replacement franchise, ended when CSK/Rajasthan Royals returned in 2018 |
| Successor Franchise | Lucknow Super Giants (2021-present, same RPSG Group ownership) |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals suspended following a spot-fixing scandal |
| 2016 | Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions launched as temporary replacement franchises; RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group wins the Pune franchise |
| 2017 | Team reaches the IPL final in its second and final season |
| 2018 | BCCI reinstates Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals; Rising Pune Supergiant is disbanded |
| 2021 | RPSG Group returns to the IPL with a new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, in an entirely different city |
Key Ownership Highlights
- Unlike Gujarat Lions, whose owner Intex Technologies never returned to the IPL, Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group followed through on its stated intention to come back — just under a different team name and city.
- Rising Pune Supergiant’s 2017 runner-up finish remains its most notable on-field achievement, coming in what turned out to be its only other season beyond its debut year.
- The team’s short existence makes it one of several IPL franchises that only played two seasons total, alongside Gujarat Lions and (for different reasons) Pune Warriors India and Deccan Chargers.
FAQ
Who owned Rising Pune Supergiant?
The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, led by Sanjiv Goenka, owned the franchise during its two seasons in 2016 and 2017.
Does the same owner still have an IPL team?
Yes. Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group now owns the Lucknow Super Giants, launched in 2021 as a new franchise in a different city.
