Major League Cricket 2026 Season: New Faces, Intense Competition Ahead

Major League Cricket is back with a new season, promising a summer packed with thrilling cricket action. The league concluded its player draft in March with a host of fresh faces ahead of the tournament.

This year's draft recorded a total of 17 players, with the six franchises finalizing their squads. With the reshuffling of seasoned players and the introduction of new faces gearing up for their debut season, the competition for the title could not be more intense.

Key Draft Picks and Team Strategies

Carmi Le Roux remained the first overall pick for the season, snapped up by the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Los Angeles had a disappointing 2025 season, with just two wins in the tournament, finishing last in the final standings. Andre Russell's side struggled with their fast bowling unit throughout the 2025 season. Ultimately, the wicket-taking charts for the top ten bowlers featured just one LAKR bowler by the end of the tournament. Carmi Le Roux's addition to the squad is expected to strengthen the team's bowling lineup, carrying the team towards a successful MLC season.

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Former USA captain Steven Taylor's MLC campaign met a sharp fall as the left-hand batter went unsold after being released by the Seattle Orcas ahead of the 2026 season. Once a top pick for the USA franchises, he is no longer in demand.

Former West Indies international all-rounder Raymon Reifer is set to feature for the Orcas, providing much-needed depth to the side.

In a setup still looking for pace-bowling depth, several players caught the eye. Texas Super Kings brought in former Sri Lanka A seamer Amshi de Silva and ex-India U19 and Rajasthan pacer Abhimanyu Lamba. Meanwhile, MI New York added Afghanistan-born Faisal Khan Ahmedzai to strengthen their attack.

The San Francisco Unicorns also bolstered their bowling unit with former Karachi Kings pacer Mohammad Ilyas and experienced seamer Zia ul Haq, who were released by Texas despite their consistent performance.

Steven Taylor's exit opened doors for Aakarshit Gomel. The former MI New York opener seized his chance by finally securing a spot in the San Francisco Unicorns after three seasons of perseverance in the minor league. The SFU actively participated in the selection, making five domestic additions to their lineup.