India has the world's largest population. In addition, the country is also home to some of the craziest cricket enthusiasts on the planet. Over several generations, many would migrate overseas and settle in foreign countries in search of a better life.

While a few were voluntarily moved out of India by the European powers to work as indentured laborers in their respective colonies around the globe. From the exotic paradise of the Caribbean and North America to remote regions of Oceania, the influence of Indian origin people is omnipresent in every culture and pocket of the world.  

See also: Top 5 Indian domestic talents playing in MLC 2025 ft Unmukt Chand

Irrespective of the circumstances that led to their departure from India, many develop a craze towards the game in their newly adopted home over a period of time while staying rooted to their traditions. In the United States, that notion holds true. Over the years, many Indian origin folks have made their way to the States with an aim to fulfill their cricketing ambitions. Many of them can now be seen in action in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 edition. 

Below is a detailed list of Indian-origin cricketers currently participating in MLC 2025, along with their current stats from the tournament:

List of Indian origin players in MLC 2025

The Indian-origin players are certainly making waves in one of the most popular franchise leagues in North America. Through their performances, these players exemplify the growing influence of Indian-origin cricketers in Major League Cricket, contributing significantly to the league's development and success.

The influence of Indian cricket on a global scale has reached an unprecedented level in recent times. Their influence is felt in different corners of the world. India, being the most populous nation on Earth, has produced some exciting cricketing talent both domestically and internationally. From the Caribbean to as far as Africa, the world has witnessed some spectacular cricketing wonders hailing originally from the Indian subcontinent. 

The same can also be said in the case of the United States (US), a country that is home to some iconic Indian players who once starred at the domestic level. These cricketers have now been gifted to the USA cricket team and are doing wonders for them at the national level as well as the franchise level in the current Major Cricket League competition. 

Here is a list of the top five Indian domestic talents who are currently seen in action in the MLC 2025 edition.

See also: [WATCH] WTC Final SA vs AUS: Relive History in making as South Africa win ICC title after 27 years

Unmukt Chand (Los Angeles Knight Riders)

India's U-19 World Cup hero Unmukt Chand finds himself associated with the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the ongoing MLC edition. After a breakthrough performance in the U-19 World Cup in 2012, Unmukt seemed to have a promising career ahead of him. He even started taking small but notable strides in India's cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). But due to a decline in form and a lack of consistent performances, Unmukt eventually fell out of favor and decided to move to the States in search of a secure cricketing future. Despite his bitter-sweet relationship with Indian cricket, Unmukt's experience and leadership qualities bring a wealth of knowledge to the team.

Saurabh Netravalkar (Washington Freedom)

Left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar has been an incredible find for USA cricket. Not only has he been a consistent performer across several editions in the MLC, Netravalkar has also starred for the national team on a global scale as well. The memories of his super over thriller against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup were a clear reminder of what the speedster can produce against some of the best in the business. Netravalkar topped the MLC 2024 bowling charts with 12 wickets from 4 matches, averaging 9.16 runs per wicket and a remarkable strike rate of 7.66. He hails from the city of Mumbai in Mahrashtra and played a lot of domestic cricket with MCA and aslo featured for India at teh U-19 level.

Monak Patel

The right-hand wicketkeeper batter Monak Patel is currently the skipper of the USA national cricket team and also captains MI New York in the MLC. The 32-year-old hails from the Indian state of Gujarat and has represented his home state at the U-16 and U-19 levels before moving to the States in 2016. After relocating to the U.S., he initially opened a Chinese restaurant named Teriyaki Madness in Florence, South Carolina. However, the business faced challenges, leading him to sell it and return to New Jersey to be with his ailing mother. During this period, he rekindled his passion for cricket, eventually earning a spot on the USA national team in 2018. Monak did not have a very extravagent first-class cricketing career in India and unlike the likes of Netravalkar and Harmeet but has certainly managed to punch way above his weight to permanently establish his place in the USA national team. 

Harmeet Singh (Seattle Orcas)

A left-arm orthodox spinner and former India U-19 World Cup player, Harmeet Singh was the first-ever domestic player selected in the MLC draft. His leadership skills were evident as he captained the Seattle Thunderbolts to the Minor League Cricket T20 championship. Now playing for the Seattle Orcas, he continues to impress with his all-round capabilities. Harmeet played a major chunk of his first-class cricket with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and Tripura. He even featured in the IPL and played a solitary game for RR, where he picked up one wicket and conceded 34 runs.

Agni Chopra (MI New York)

Agni Chopra, hailing from a family deeply rooted in Bollywood, chose cricket over a potential film career. Representing MI New York, he has quickly become a notable figure in MLC 2025. Agni broke into the domestic secene on the back four consecetive centuries in his first four FC games. Chopra has participated in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, competing not only in the Ranji Trophy but also in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies. In summary, he represented Mizoram and Mumbai in Indian domestic cricket as recently as early 2025. His journey from Mumbai's maidans to the MLC showcases his dedication and passion for the sport. 

The T20 World Cup 2024 has wrapped up, leaving cricket fans across the globe in awe of the stunning performances and nail-biting matches. Among all the excitement, India emerged victorious, lifting the trophy for the second time. While the Indian team’s brilliance was evident, several players from different countries showcased exceptional skills. Here, we look at the best playing XI of the tournament, highlighting the standout performers.

See Also: Rohit Sharma’s unique celebrations after winning T20 World Cup 2024; FIFA and Wimbledon acknowledge

Take a look at best playing of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

This best playing XI, featuring a mix of experienced stalwarts and emerging stars, exemplifies the spirit and excitement of T20 cricket. Each player brought something unique to the table, contributing to memorable performances and unforgettable matches. As we celebrate India’s victory, let’s also appreciate the remarkable efforts of these individuals who made the tournament a spectacular event.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was a key figure in Afghanistan’s impressive run in the tournament. The Afghan opener’s stats speak volumes: 8 matches, 281 runs, an average of 35.12, and a strike rate of 124.33.

Gurbaz’s role as the steady opener ensured that Afghanistan often had a solid start. His ability to build an innings and set a foundation for a competitive total made him an invaluable asset.

2. Rohit Sharma (IND) (C)

Rohit Sharma, India’s skipper, had a fantastic tournament with the bat. Scoring 257 runs in 8 matches with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.70, Rohit led by example.

His captaincy was a masterclass in strategy. Utilizing four spinners effectively and adapting to match situations, Rohit showcased why he is considered one of the best captains in modern cricket.

3. Andries Gous (USA) (wk)

The USA’s wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous made a significant impact. With 219 runs in 6 matches at an average of 43.80 and a strike rate of 151.03, Gous was a pillar for the USA team.

Gous’s ability to handle pressure and perform in tricky conditions earned him a spot as the keeper-batter in this elite XI.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (IND)

Suryakumar Yadav continued to shine in the T20 format, scoring 199 runs in 8 matches with an average of 28.42 and a strike rate of 135.37.

His knack for adapting to different playing conditions and match situations made him a crucial player for India. Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational catch on the boundary to dismiss David Miller and help India win the T20 World Cup 2024.

5. Marcus Stoinis (AUS)

Marcus Stoinis lived up to his ‘Hulk’ nickname with powerful performances. In 7 matches, he scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 164.07 and took 10 wickets.

His dual capabilities as a hard-hitting batter and reliable bowler made him indispensable to the Australian squad. In the match against Namibia, Stoinis scored 59 runs in just 29 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 203.44.

6. Hardik Pandya (IND

Hardik Pandya bounced back from a tough IPL season with a stellar World Cup performance. He scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets, showcasing his all-round prowess.

Pandya was particularly effective in the US leg of the tournament, where he emerged as a top wicket-taker for India. Hardik defended 16 runs in the final over to ensure a famous win for his team.

7. Axar Patel (IND)

Axar Patel demonstrated his all-round abilities with both bat and ball. He took 9 wickets and scored 92 runs, contributing significantly in all departments.

Axar’s presence added depth to the Indian lineup, providing both offensive and defensive options. Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 balls crucial knock should not be overlooked. Following the loss of three wickets for 34 runs in final match against South Africa, Axar was promoted up the order as a circuit-breaker.

8. Rashid Khan (AFG)

Rashid Khan led Afghanistan with distinction. His 14 wickets in 8 matches, with an economy rate of 6.17, underlined his importance.

Rashid’s best performances came in high-pressure matches, where he delivered critical breakthroughs. He made history in a match against Bangladesh, becoming the first spinner to surpass 150 wickets in T20I cricket and the fourth bowler to record three four-wicket hauls in the tournament.

9. Anrich Nortje (SA)

Anrich Nortje marked his return to international cricket with a bang. He took 13 wickets in 8 matches, with an average of 13.46 and a best of 4-7.

Nortje’s lethal bowling in the powerplay and death overs made him a standout performer for South Africa. The speedster made the most of spicy wickets in USA, kickstarting his campaign with a 4-7 against Sri Lanka.

He’s also been effective in the West Indies, bowling a brilliant final over to secure a close win against England and getting 2-7 in the semi-final against Afghanistan.

10. Jasprit Bumrah (IND)

Jasprit Bumrah was the tournament’s best bowler, with 15 wickets in 8 matches and an economy rate of 4.17. His average of 8.26 reflects his dominance.

As if making up for the fact that he missed the last edition of the tournament due to an injury, Jasprit Bumrah has shown peak form in the tournament.Bumrah’s ability to take wickets in all phases of the game was instrumental in India’s success.

This was most visible against Pakistan in New York, where the irrepressible pacer bamboozled the opposition in each of his short spells, and guided India to a six-run win with his 3-14.

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)

Fazalhaq Farooqi was a revelation for Afghanistan. With 17 wickets in 9 matches and an economy rate of 6.31, he was a consistent threat to opposition batters.

Fazalhaq Farooqi led Afghanistan’s charge in the group stages with his scintillating new ball display, picking 12 wickets from his first three games, including a career-best 5-9 versus Uganda and 4-17 in his side’s historic win over New Zealand. Farooqi’s impressive performance earned him a well-deserved place in this best XI.

12th Man: Saurabh Netravlakar (USA)

Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 was nothing short of inspirational. He played a crucial role in USA’s surprising run to the Super Eights.

His ability to bowl effectively in both powerplays and death overs, including a memorable Super Over against Pakistan, highlighted his skill and composure.