Predicted winners of Major League Cricket 2023 may surprise you.

Major League Cricket (MLC) is an exciting new professional cricket league in the United States, showcasing the thrilling Twenty20 format. With the inaugural season just around the corner, cricket fans are in for a treat. Six teams, representing major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, New York, and Washington, will battle it out in a round-robin format, followed by intense qualification and elimination matches, culminating in an epic final showdown. This highly anticipated season promises to deliver riveting matches and plenty of betting opportunities. Stay tuned as we dive into the MLC schedule, providing insightful tips and predictions to help you make informed decisions and maximize your enjoyment throughout the competition. Get ready for a cricket extravaganza like no other!

About Major League Cricket (MLC)

The first season of Major League Cricket (MLC) is the result of careful planning by cricket authorities. MLC is approved by USA Cricket and run by American Cricket Enterprises, with investments from top Indian Premier League teams. The league aims to attract American viewers and promote cricket within the country. It consists of six teams, featuring a mix of international stars and local players. Interestingly, each team must have at least five local players, including one young player under the age of 23. This approach ensures a balance between international talent and the development of local cricket in the USA. MLC promises exciting matches while supporting the growth of cricket in the country.

Predicted winners of Major League Cricket 2023

MI New York

MI New York, a franchise Twenty20 cricket team based in New York, is set to compete in the Major League Cricket (MLC). Established in 2023 by Indiawin Sports, the same ownership group behind teams like Mumbai Indians, MI Cape Town, and MI Emirates, MI New York aims to contribute to the development of cricket in America. As part of their expansion plans, the team has acquired a minor league affiliate, the Manhattan Yorkers, competing in the Minor League Cricket (MiLC). While their home ground is under construction at Marine Park, with an expected capacity of 10,000, MI New York currently plays their matches at the Grand Prairie stadium in Texas. In the inaugural MLC season, MI New York made their draft picks, including American batter Steven Taylor and United States national team captain Monank Patel. The team’s full squad, announced on June 14, features international stars such as Rashid Khan from Afghanistan, Trent Boult from New Zealand, and Kagiso Rabada from South Africa. West Indies’ Kieron Pollard has been appointed as the team’s captain.

• Captain: Kieron Pollard
• Key Acquisition: Trent Boult, known for his exceptional one-handed catches
• Key Players: Dewald Brevis, David Wiese, Kagiso Rabada, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Behrendorff, Steven Taylor, and more
• Expert Prediction: MI New York is predicted to secure first place in the 2023 championship according to cricket experts.

Los Angeles Knight Riders

The Los Angeles Knight Riders, also known as the LA Knight Riders, are a professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Los Angeles, California. They compete in Major League Cricket (MLC) and are owned by the Knight Riders Group. The team is set to have their home ground at Great Park in Irvine, California, which is expected to be completed by 2024-2025 with a seating capacity of over 10,000 spectators. The Knight Riders’ minor league affiliate, the Hollywood Master Blasters, also participates in the developmental league, Minor League Cricket. In the 2023 season, the Knight Riders made their draft picks, including Ali Khan as their first pick, and announced a squad comprising players like Jason Roy, Adam Zampa, Sunil Narine, and Lockie Ferguson. Narine was named the team’s captain, with Phil Simmons as the head coach, Bharat Arun as the bowling coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate as the batting coach.

• Captain: Sunil Narine
• Key Acquisition: Unmukt Chand, a talented right-handed batsman and off-break bowler, known for leading India to victory in the 2012 U-19 World Cup.
• Key Players: Andre Russell, Bhaskar Yadram, Jason Roy, Rilee Rossouw, Saif Badar, and more.
• Expert Prediction: The Los Angeles Knight Riders is predicted to secure the second place in the championship 2023, according to cricket experts.

San Francisco Unicorns

The San Francisco Unicorns, an American franchise cricket team based in San Francisco, California, compete in Major League Cricket (MLC). The team is owned by Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, co-founders of Cambrian Ventures. Plans are in progress to construct a stadium at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds with a seating capacity of 15,000. During the first season of MLC, the Unicorns will play their matches at the Grand Prairie stadium in Texas. In March 2023, the team unveiled their name, logo, and announced a partnership with Cricket Victoria. Australian international Aaron Finch was signed as the team’s captain, while notable players like Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Tajinder Singh, Smit Patel, and Marcus Stoinis were drafted. South African pacer Lungi Ngidi was also added to the team’s roster. The Unicorns appointed former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as their head coach for the 2023 season.

• Captain: Aaron Finch
• Key Acquisition: Brody L Couch, an impressive left-handed batter who showcased his talent by scoring 393 runs in the previous season.
• Key Players: Marcus Stoinis, Lungi Digi, Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Tajinder Singh, Chaitanya Bishnoi, and more.
• Expert Prediction: The San Francisco Unicorns is predicted to secure the fifth place in the championship 2023.

Seattle Orcas

The Seattle Orcas are a professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in Seattle, Washington, the team was established in 2023 as one of the inaugural franchises in MLC. The Orcas are owned by an investor group, including Satya Nadella, Soma Somasegar, Samir Bodas, Ashok Krishnamurthi, Sanjay Parthasarathy, and the GMR Group. They have a minor league affiliate called the Seattle Thunderbolts, who were the champions of the 2022 Minor League Cricket. The team plans to have their home ground at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, with a capacity of up to 6,000 spectators. Former Indian cricketer Pravin Amre serves as the team’s coach.

• Captain: Wayne Parnell
• Key Acquisition: Dasun Shanaka, a dynamic middle-order batsman known for his explosive batting skills and reliable right-arm seam bowling.
• Key Players: Sikandar Raza, Harmeet Singh, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, Cameron Gannon, and more.
• Expert Prediction: The Seattle Orcas is predicted to secure the fourth place in the championship 2023.

Texas Super Kings

The Texas Super Kings are a professional Twenty20 cricket team participating in Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in Dallas, Texas, they were established in 2023 as one of the inaugural teams in MLC. The franchise is co-owned by the Chennai Super Kings, Ross Perot Jr., and Anurag Jain. The team’s home ground is the Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a capacity of 7,200, expandable to 15,000 for major events. The Texas Super Kings are led by former South African captain Faf du Plessis and coached by Stephen Fleming, who also serves as the head coach for the Chennai Super Kings and the Joburg Super Kings. The team made notable draft picks, including Rusty Theron, and announced overseas signings such as Ambati Rayudu, Devon Conway, and Dwayne Bravo. Mohammad Mohsin was selected as their Domestic Wildcard Pick, and Imran Tahir replaced Rayudu in the squad.

• Captain: Faf du Plessis
• Key Acquisition: Devon Conway, an impressive left-handed batsman who made a remarkable 200 at Lord’s, showcasing his talent on a grand stage.
• Key Players: Mitchell Santner, Daniel Sams, David Miller, Gerald Coetzee, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, and more.
• Expert Prediction: The Texas Super Kings is predicted to secure the third place in the championship 2023.

Washington Freedom

The Washington Freedom is a professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in Washington, D.C., the team was established in 2023 as one of the inaugural franchises in MLC. The team is owned by Indian American entrepreneur Sanjay Govil. Their home ground is planned to be at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, with a capacity of 12,000 spectators upon completion in summer 2025. The Freedom is coached by Greg Shipperd, who currently coaches the Sydney Sixers, and captained by Moises Henriques, the captain of the Sixers. The team made notable draft picks, including Andries Gous, and announced direct signings such as Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Glenn Phillips. Greg Shipperd serves as the head coach, and Dale Steyn as the bowling coach.

• Captain: Moises Henriques
• Key Acquisition: Wanindu Hasaranga, a powerful lower-middle order batsman known for his impressive performance in the 2017 Premier League Tournament, scoring 586 runs at an average of 39.06 and a strike rate of 93.
• Key Players: Anrich Nortje, Wanindu Hasaranga, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Adam Milne, Moises Henriques, and more.
• Expert Prediction: The Washington Freedom is predicted to secure the sixth place in the division.

The predictions for the winners of MLC 2023 may just hold some unexpected surprises. With the talents of world-class players, strategic leadership, and the thrill of each match, anything can happen on the field. The anticipation builds as teams battle it out for supremacy, showcasing their skills and determination. So, hold on to your seats and get ready for an exhilarating ride as the predicted winners of MLC 2023 could provide us with thrilling upsets and unforgettable moments in the world of cricket. Like this post? Don’t forget to check out our other short stories in our Quick Read section