The 2025 edition of Major League Cricket kicked off on June 12, with a commanding performance by the San Francisco Unicorns, who thrashed Washington Freedom by a staggering 123 runs. As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to seeing several top-tier T20 stars—fresh from their IPL stints—bringing their flair and explosive style to the MLC. With global attention turning to the American T20 scene, these players are set to dazzle once again as they don the jerseys of their respective MLC franchises.

In this feature, we spotlight five such players who are poised to deliver standout performances in the ongoing season. Having impressed with their consistency and match-winning efforts during the IPL, these cricketers are expected to carry that momentum into MLC 2025. Their recent form, combined with their experience in pressure situations, makes them ones to watch as the tournament unfolds. Let’s take a closer look at these potential game-changers.

5. Sunil Narine (LA Knight Riders)

The former West Indian cricketer is among the star players in the ongoing MLC. The 36-year-old performed well with the bat as well as with the ball in the recently concluded IPL season, scoring 246 runs with a strike rate of 170 and claiming 12 wickets with his clever off-break.

Sunil Narine will be captaining the team this season. LA Knight Riders would be looking to improve their performance from the last season, when they finished 5th.

4. Faf Du Plessis (Texas Super Kings)

The former South African skipper and batter played for Delhi Capitals during the 2025 IPL season and is captaining the Texas Super Kings in the ongoing MLC.

 Last season, Faf Du Plessis scored 520 runs for TSK with an average of 52.50 and will be aiming to perform well this season also. TSC performed decently last season and were third in the points table, but this time around, they would be aiming to win the trophy.

See Also: Watch: SEA vs WAS : Match 04 Weather and Pitch Report – MLC 2025

3. Heinrich Klaasen (Seattle Orcas)

Klaasen, who recently retired from International cricket, played a crucial role for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recently concluded IPL 2025, scoring 487 runs in 13 innings. He is named as the captain of the Seattle Orcas during the ongoing MLC.

The former South African wicket-keeper batter could score just 97 runs in 7 MLC games last season, but this time around, the right-hander would be aiming to showcase his prowess with the bat.

2. Trent Boult (MI New York)

Boult bowled brilliantly for Mumbai Indians during the 2025 IPL season, claiming 22 wickets and finishing joint third in the wicket-taking list. The left-arm Kiwi pacer will be representing MI New York in the 2025 MLC.

Boult performed impressively during the 2023 MLC season, claiming 22 wickets, but had an ordinary 2024 season where he claimed 9 wickets. This time around, Boult's form would be crucial if the MI New York sees itself as a contender for winning the trophy.

1. Nicolas Pooran (MI New York)

The former West Indian cricketer, who retired from International cricket recently, looked in fine form for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 IPL season, scoring 524 runs in the entire season with a strike rate of 196.

He will be captaining the MI New York team and will be hoping his side improves its standing in the points table as in the last season MI New York team finished 4th in the table. Pooran's destructive hitting and his ability to take the game away form the opposition with his aggressive intent will be crucial for MI New York.

New Zealand opener Finn Allen played a brilliant knock of 151 off 51 balls in the first match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, while playing for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom, which was played on June 12. Washington won the toss and chose to bowl first as Finn Allen smashed Washington bowlers all around the park, cracking 151 in 51 balls, including 5 fours and 19 sixes with a strike rate of 296.08. Unicorns scored 269/5 in 20 overs and managed to win the match by 123 runs. In this sensational knock, Allen broke records that are highlighted in this piece below:

5. Highest sixes in a T20 Innings

Allen smashed 19 sixes in his 151-run knock in 51 balls during the first MLC 2025 match. He hit 19 sixes, which is the highest by any batter in a T20 innings. The right-hander managed to break the previous record held by Chris Gayle, who had hit 18 sixes during the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League final.

4. Highest score by any batter in the history of MLC

Former West Indian left-hander Nicolas Pooran held the record for scoring an unbeaten 137 in 55 balls while playing for MI New York against Seattle Orcas during the 2023 MLC season, where he hit 10 fours and 13 sixes. Allen managed to break this record by scoring 151 on the 12th of June 2025 while playing for San Francisco Unicorns, thus becoming the highest scorer in a particular match in the history of the tournament.

See Also: WATCH: Rachin Ravindra's consecutive sixes against San Francisco Unicorns in match number 1 of MLC 2025

3. Fastest Centurion in the history of MLC

Allen scored a century in the opening game of the 2025 MLC tournament in just 34 balls. Former West Indian left-hander Nicolas Pooran, who retired from International cricket, earlier held the record for the fastest century in the tournament's history when he scored a century in 40 balls during the 2023 season against Seattle Orcas while playing for MI New York. The right-hander managed to get past this record on 12th June 2025.

2. First Batter to score fastest 150 in a T20 match

Allen scored 150 in just 49 balls during his knock of 151 in 51 balls while playing for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom on the 12th of June 2025. Earlier, South Africa's Dewald Brewis held the record for the fastest 150 in a T20 game when he had scored 150 in 52 balls in a CSA T20 challenge match for Titans against Knights. Allen got past this record with a brilliant 150 in 49 balls in the 2025 MLC opener.

1. Fastest Century by a New Zealander in T20s

Allen's 34-ball century for San Francisco Unicorns during the opening match of the 2025 MLC campaign is the fastest in the shorter format in any T20 tournament by a New Zealander. Earlier, former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill held this record when he had scored a 35-ball century for Worcestershire against Northamptonshire during the 2018 Vitality Blast T20 tournament. Allen broke this record by scoring a century in 34 balls. 

Pant and Pooran Light Up Social Media with Musical Chemistry

A heartwarming moment of interaction between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad has taken social media by storm. Shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the official handle of LSG, the clip shows West Indian aggressive batsman Nicholas Pooran singing hit Bollywood number "Tere Sang Yaara" from movie "Rustom." Resistant to solemn moments with the clip is Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who can be heard enjoying Pooran's rendition, smiling and apparently adding at some point.

The clip went viral in seconds, and thousands of comments, retweets, and likes poured in from the waiting audience to witness this moment of cross-cultural harmony within the IPL squad. Pooran, who was a fire-cracker fielder, also showcased his off-field amiable personality and his apparent fondness for Hindi music. Pant, who was recovering from his recent illness and preparing for the IPL season, was spotted looking calm and smiling, which endeared him to the fans even further.

Someone get him a Bollywood contract please 😂🎙️ pic.twitter.com/1p8Sv6A7zq

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 13, 2025

This is a humorous twist presenting the good camaraderie and esprit de corps which cannot be avoided with IPL teams because players with disparate backgrounds assemble to play together. The video relief from competition on the pitch reveals the familiarity and fraternity with which the players associate off the field.

Also Read:-Top 5 unused players in IPL 2025 who deserve spot in playing XI

Some of the fans witnessed Pooran's wonderful Hindi rendition and savored the warm and comforting atmosphere at LSG camp. The friendship between Pant and Pooran, being both the star players of the team, increased the enthusiasm further among the LSG fans for the next IPL season. This viral clip is the living proof of the bonding potential of music between the ordinary man and the strong bonding that is formed between the cricket fraternity all over the world. It has indeed left the viewers holding their breath waiting for such a peek into the social life and interactions of their cricketers.

The 2025 IPL season features another thrilling match listed on the schedule as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face off against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 16 held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. The game might be decided by three players:

1. Nicholas Pooran (LSG)

This season has been a great one for the West Indies stumper-batsman. In just three matches, he has amassed 189 with a stunning strike rate of 220. He is very aggressive and also a great finisher, there by becoming indispensable for LSG. Pooran who played an efficient 67-run knock off 31 balls in the last game, has been their biggest weapon to set them on a winning path. His fight against MI’s bowlers will be a crucial one.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians Playing 11 vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2025 Match 16

2. Ashwani Kumar (MI)

Youthful bowler of Mumbai Indians, Ashwani Kumar, has taken everyone by surprise this season. The 23-year-old was fantastic in his debut IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders, ending up with 4 wickets for 24 runs in just three overs. His natural speed, the swing, and the deceptive action have so far made him MI’s lead bowler. His skill, if maintained, would bring trouble to the LSG’s batting lineup, particularly in the powerplay.

Also Read: LSG VS MI : Match 16 Weather and Pitch Report – IPL 2025

3. Tilak Varma (MI)

Tilak Varma is the most stable batter for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing season of the league. In the last three games, his brilliant cushion of 45, 72, and 39 runs propelled the team to a strike rate above 150. The young lad’s ability to steer the innings and sometimes, if the need arises, to fire off a quickfire inning makes him one of the most valuable middle-order batsmen for MI. When faced with the ace bowlers of LSG, his anchoring role will be most needed.

Given that these three players are on top of their game, the LSG vs MI showdown will be quite exciting, full of runs and absolutely breathtaking.