MLC 2026: Here Are the Complete Squads of Every Franchise and Tournament Preview

Major League Cricket (MLC) has returned for its fourth season, and the palpable buzz surrounding this edition feels more significant than ever before. The 2026 tournament, which commenced on June 18, is set to captivate fans until its grand finale on July 18. Across multiple venues in Texas and California, six formidable franchises will engage in intense battles, delivering a compact yet action-packed spectacle tailored perfectly for the modern T20 cricket aficionado. The rapid growth of MLC signifies its increasing importance in the global T20 landscape, drawing top talent and growing its fanbase with each passing year.

MLC 2026. (Credits: X.com)The season ignited with an eagerly anticipated clash between the Texas Super Kings and Seattle Orcas at the Grand Prairie Stadium. Following this explosive opener, the tournament swiftly transitions into a rigorous double round-robin format. This structure ensures that every team faces each of its rivals twice, providing ample opportunity for strategic play and thrilling rivalries to develop. The intensity of this format means every match carries significant weight, influencing team standings and morale.

Points are allocated simply: a win earns two points, while a no-result or abandonment due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances awards one point to each side. However, the seemingly straightforward points system holds a hidden layer of complexity: Net Run Rate (NRR). NRR can quietly emerge as either a team’s most formidable ally or its harshest adversary. A single poor collapse or an overwhelming victory can dramatically alter a team’s NRR, potentially shaping its entire season and determining its playoff fate. Teams must not only aim for wins but also strive for dominant performances to secure a healthy NRR.

Once the league stage concludes, the top four teams will advance to a familiar yet inherently high-pressure playoff system. The top two qualifiers are afforded a valuable second chance in the Qualifier match, with the winner proceeding directly to the final. Meanwhile, the third and fourth-placed teams face a high-stakes knockout Eliminator, where defeat means instant tournament exit. The winner of the Eliminator then challenges the loser of the Qualifier in the Challenger match for the remaining spot in the final. From this point onwards, the competition is pure drama, culminating in a thrilling final encounter to crown the MLC 2026 champion. This structured playoff format ensures that only the most resilient and consistent teams vie for the ultimate glory.

MLC 2026 now feels less like an exhibition and more like a proper, intensely competitive league. The structure is clear, but the pressure is undeniably real, and it is precisely this combination that fuels the excitement and draws in a global audience. The caliber of international and domestic talent assembled across the franchises promises a month of compelling cricket. Here are the complete squads for all six teams, ready to compete for the prestigious MLC 2026 title:

MLC 2026: Complete Squads of All 6 Teams

MI New York (MINY)

Led by the seasoned Kieron Pollard, MI New York boasts a formidable lineup featuring explosive wicketkeepers and a balanced bowling attack. Their squad depth and experience make them strong contenders.

• Kieron Pollard (c)
• Quinton de Kock (WK)
• Ryan Rickelton (WK)
• Nicholas Pooran (WK)
• Monank Patel (WK)
• Agni Chopra
• Tajinder Dhillon
• Trent Boult
• Sunny Patel
• Nosthush Kenjige
• Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
• Tristan Luus
• Rushil Ugarkar
• Corey Anderson
• Corbin Bosch
• Romario Shepherd
• Faisal Khan Ahmadzai
• Kunwarjeet Singh

Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR)

The Los Angeles Knight Riders, under the captaincy of Jason Holder, combine power-hitters with versatile all-rounders and a diverse bowling arsenal, making them a dangerous opposition.

• Sunil Narine
• Jason Holder (c)
• Alex Hales
• Unmukt Chand
• Saif Badar
• Colin Munro
• Andre Fletcher (WK)
• Nitish Kumar
• Jahmar Hamilton (WK)
• Carmi le Roux
• Kristopher Ramsaran
• Ali Khan
• Lloyd Pope
• Andre Russell
• Shadley van Schalkwyk
• Karthik Gattepalli
• Matthew Tromp

Texas Super Kings (TSK)

With Faf du Plessis at the helm, the Texas Super Kings feature a blend of experienced international stars and promising domestic talent, promising aggressive cricket and strategic play.

• Faf du Plessis (c)
• Rilee Rossouw
• Calvin Savage
• Smit Patel (WK)
• Saiteja Mukkamalla
• Joshua Tromp (WK)
• Adam Milne
• Nandre Burger
• Keshav Maharaj
• Hardus Viljoen
• Akeal Hosein
• Mohammad Mohsin
• Abhimanyu Lamba
• Wiaan Mulder
• Milind Kumar
• Donovan Ferreira
• Shubham Ranjane
• Amshi de Silva

Washington Freedom (WF)

Captain Steve Smith leads Washington Freedom, a team well-equipped with dynamic all-rounders like Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra, complemented by a strong pace attack.

• Steve Smith (c)
• Mark Chapman
• Mukhtar Ahmed
• Lahiru Milantha (WK)
• Andries Gous (WK)
• Lockie Ferguson
• Ben Dwarshuis
• Amila Aponso
• Saurabh Netravalkar
• Asif Mehmood
• Abhishek Paradkar
• Yasir Mohammad
• Glenn Maxwell
• Rachin Ravindra
• Obus Pienaar
• Ian Holland
• Marco Jansen
• Nikhil Chaudhary
• Jack Edwards
• Mitchell Owen

San Francisco Unicorns (SFU)

The San Francisco Unicorns, captained by Matthew Short, boast a squad with exciting young talent and seasoned performers like Ravichandran Ashwin, making them unpredictable and potent.

• Finn Allen (WK)
• Zia-ul-Haq
• Connor Esterhuizen
• Saideep Ganesh (WK)
• Sanjay Krishnamurthy
• Lhuan-dre Pretorius (WK)
• Ollie Peake
• Aakarshit Gomel
• Xavier Bartlett
• Haris Rauf
• Mohammad Ilyas
• Juanoy Drysdale
• Ravichandran Ashwin
• Hassan Khan
• Hammad Azam
• Matthew Short (c)
• Aaron Hardie
• Anirudh Immanuel

Seattle Orcas (SO)

Led by Marcus Stoinis, the Seattle Orcas present a powerful batting lineup and a varied bowling attack, featuring prominent international players ready to make a significant impact.

• Shimron Hetmyer
• Shehan Jayasuriya
• Tim Seifert (WK)
• Shayan Jahangir
• Matthew Breetzke
• Sujit Nayak
• Sharad Lumba
• Rahul Jariwala (WK)
• Tim Robinson
• Cameron Gannon
• Lungi Ngidi
• Ottneil Baartman
• Harmeet Singh
• Tanveer Sangha
• Jasdeep Singh
• Ayan Desai
• Dasun Shanaka
• Marcus Stoinis (c)
• Ali Sheikh

As the MLC 2026 season unfolds, these meticulously assembled squads are prepared to deliver high-octane cricket that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Each team brings a unique combination of skill, experience, and strategic depth, ensuring that every match is a thrilling contest. The journey to the final will be a testament to resilience, tactical brilliance, and individual heroics. Follow every ball, every boundary, and every wicket as the Major League Cricket season writes its next exciting chapter.