Major League Cricket 2025: Who’s Playing, Who’s Shining?

The Major League Cricket 2025 season isn’t just another T20 league—it's a power-packed month of high-stakes cricket, global superstars, and rising talent battling across 34 action-filled matches. With the second full season dawning over American pitches from June 11 to July 12, every MLC team is doubling down with big signings and bold squad picks. Let’s take a look at where the excitement lies this summer.

Six franchises—Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Washington Freedom, and Texas Super Kings—have all built lineups that mix international firepower with American promise. Players from Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, South Asia, even the US national team, are all squeezing into the mix to make this a truly global cricket showcase for fans and scouts alike.

The MLC Squads and Their Game Changers

Los Angeles Knight Riders are putting the pressure on from day one. Batting lineup features Alex Hales’ flair and power, Andre Russell’s explosive versatility, and Sunil Narine’s spin magic. Throw in Caribbean heavy-hitters like Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, and there’s a squad that can chase down any target. The bowling isn’t lagging either: South African Anrich Nortje brings serious pace, while Tanveer Sangha and Spencer Johnson add variety. With all-rounders Jason Holder and Dominic Drakes handling both bat and ball, this team screams depth.

The MI New York side is hard to overlook, led by T20 master Kieron Pollard. Fabian Allen and Azmatullah Omarzai pack a punch in the middle order, Agni Chopra and Sharad Lumba are the rising names to track, and Delano Potgieter’s steady bowling gives them a reliable backbone. MI New York is rolling into the tournament with a plan to outwork, outplay, and outlast the competition for every single run.

In the Bay Area, the San Francisco Unicorns are betting big on Glenn Maxwell. The Aussie captain anchors an aggressive squad, with New Zealand dynamo Glenn Phillips, versatile Rachin Ravindra, and the specialist Mitchell Owen all in tow. The real talking point, though, comes in their quicks: Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears don’t just bowl fast—they bowl with menace. Mark Adair and Yasir Mohammad add support, promising headache after headache for opposing batters.

On the other side of the continent, the Seattle Orcas are sharp up front with Mukhtar Ahmed and Jack Edwards piling on quick runs, while Justin Dill adds balance in the middle. Bowling leader Saurabh Netravalkar is back, dependable as ever, joined by Amila Aponso and the all-round skills of Ian Holland. Seattle’s strength is in its flexibility, ready to change gears to match any opposition.

Washington Freedom are focusing on talented inclusions. Mark Chapman and Lahiru Milantha are their go-to batters, and when runs are needed in a hurry, Andries Gous (also as wicketkeeper) is on call. The bowling department isn’t short on options either—Abhishek Paradkar covers both ends, with Corne Dry and Shadley van Schalkwyk ready to control the late overs.

The Texas Super Kings are arguably the hottest team to watch this season. Faf du Plessis, who recently created a stir by retiring out on 91 in a match (not something you see every day), is leading with experience and aggression. Sikandar Raza’s all-round skills, Adam Milne’s dangerous pace (with whispers that IPL’s CSK has taken notice), and a solid bowling roster rounded out by Matthew Tromp, Cameron Gannon, and Brody Couch make Texas a real contender for the title.

All six squads are stacking up with an eye on the trophy, as fans wonder: Who’s going to explode with a bat in hand? Who’ll rip through opposing lineups with the ball this year?

• Faf du Plessis’ dramatic self-retirement on 91 had people talking—the kind of high-pressure move that tells you Texas are playing to win, not pad stats.
• Adam Milne is the go-to fast bowler for Texas, and every delivery has scouts from IPL franchises like Chennai Super Kings taking notes.
• Bowling duos Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears pose a real threat for San Francisco Unicorns—pace, aggression, and pinpoint accuracy.

Crowds are coming in with huge expectations, hoping someone breaks the mold or pulls off a once-in-a-season play. With a packed calendar and no shortage of big names, cricket fans are in for a summer loaded with surprises and unmissable moments.