Ranking the 6 squads ahead of MLC 2024
The second edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC 2024) is slated to kick off on July 5, with defending champions MI New York slated to square off against 2023 runners-up Seattle Orcas. As the tournament reaches its second segment, it promises to be bigger and better with many world-class players from across the globe slated to take part.
All the six teams in MLC 2024 boast of some of the biggest names in world cricket. Just like the Indian Premier League, where most of the teams are well-balanced and have the ability to beat any given team on their day, the MLC also has the potential to become one of the best T20 leagues in the world.
The USA players were massively benefited by the exposure of rubbing shoulders with some of the world's best in the tournament's inaugural edition. The opportunity of playing at the highest level resulted in their emergence in world cricket. They made history by qualifying for the super eight in the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
The local contingent will be very crucial for all the six teams, and their performances could go a long way in deciding the eventual outcome of the tournament. With a couple of days to go for the second season of MLC to commence, let's rank the six teams according to their strengths:
Ranking the 6 MLC 2024 teams
#6 San Francisco Unicorns
While all six teams have some of the biggest names in world cricket, the San Francisco Unicorns look a relatively weaker side compared to the five other MLC 2024 teams. While they have players who can make a huge impact, but, on paper, they could be the weakest side of the competition.
In Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk, the Unicorns have two of the most swashbuckling batters going around at the top of the order. What will keep them in good stead is having Pat Cummins at the helm of things. Not only is he a world-class bowler, he has been an inspirational captain and will look to lead the Unicorns to the playoffs.
The likes of Corey Anderson and Sherfane Rutherford are the all-round options for the Unicorns who have the ability to turn games with both bat and ball. Both are powerful strikers of the ball, having the ability to demolish any bowling attack. Josh Inglis is expected to take up the wicket-keeping duties, with Jahmar Hamilton as the second-choice keeper.
The bowling department lacks variety but has some serious pace. Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett and Matt Henry will forge a solid pace bowling trio, but all three playing together is highly unlikely. They have some good local bowlers as well, but they hardly have any experience at the top level.
#5 Texas Super Kings
While not many might agree with this ranking, especially given the fact that the Texas Super Kings have some big names in their ranks, what makes them a relatively weaker side is not having enough players who are consistently playing at the highest level.
They will be led by an experienced Faf du Plessis who is also the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
Aiden Markram will be a pivotal member of the Super Kings but didn't have the greatest of times with the bat during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their foreign all-round options - Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner and Aaron Hardie - have the ability to make a massive difference with both bat and ball.
Devon Conway is expected to don the gloves and will be crucial to their chances in the tournament. He will look to get his side off to a good start in MLC 2024. The bowling department will be led by the two Afghan bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad, who are match winners on their day.
#4 Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom have a well-oiled unit but might not be among the best in MLC 2024. They have a strong top order with Travis Head handling the opening duties.
He recently became the top-ranked T20I batter and will look to continue his exploits at the top of the order. Steve Smith is also part of the squad but whether he will be a part of the XI remains to be seen.
In Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra, the Freedom have two of the most swashbuckling all-rounders going around. Maxwell and Ravindra didn't have the greatest of T20 World Cup campaigns and will look to make it up in the second edition of MLC. Marco Jansen could also be used as an all-round option.
The bowling will be led by Akeal Hosein who could be a massive factor with the new ball. Saurabh Netravalkar, who had a brilliant time in the T20 World Cup, could be another wicket-taking option with the new ball.
The pace department will be led by Lockie Ferguson, who is one of the most tearaway quicks in world cricket.
#3 Seattle Orcas
What makes the Seattle Orcas one of the best teams in MLC 2024 is the presence of two of the best T20 batters in the world.
Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock will be part of the squad and are expected to make a significant contribution if the Orcas are to progress further in the tournament.
Ryan Rickleton also packs a punch and can take any bowling attack to the cleaners. Shehan Jayasuriya, who is a local player, had a brilliant time with the bat in the inaugural season. The side will be led by Wayne Parnell who will look to lead the side admirably and also make a significant contribution with the ball.
Nandre Burger, Nathan Ellis, Obed McCoy and Cameron Gannon make a lethal bowling attack with variety and skill sets. Burger and McCoy are both left arm seamers but bring different variety to the table.
Ellis has a range of slower deliveries up his sleeve, while Gannon is also expected to make a mark in the competition.
#2 Los Angeles Knight Riders
There was a competition for the top spot, but unfortunately due to the relative weakness in the local talents, the Los Angeles Knight Riders couldn't quite seal the top spot. However, on their day, the Knight Riders have all the skill sets to replicate what the Kolkata Knight Riders achieved in 2024.
Jason Roy is part of the squad and will be eager to make a difference after being left out of the England T20 World Cup squad. He has been off the boil, but an impressive showing in the MLC might just help him get back in the reckoning for national selection.
David Miller, who announced his retirement from T20Is after the T20 World Cup final, might need some time to recover from the World Cup final loss but is expected to make a strong statement in MLC 2024. Three of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket at the moment have been roped in by the Knight Riders.
Sunil Narine will be in charge of the side, while Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan will forge the core of the team. Russell is arguably the greatest T20 player while Shakib is still one of the biggest all-rounders in world cricket. The bowling department lacks balance, but several top class all-rounders balance the team.
#1 MI New York
The defending champions arguably have the best-rounded unit in MLC 2024, and it will take a big effort from all five other teams to stop MI from lifting their second MLC title. A stalwart for MI, Kieron Pollard will be in charge of the side, with some of the best local players in the squad.
Tim David and Dewald Brevis are integral part of the MI family and are expected to make an impact. In Nicholas Pooran, the defending champions have one of the most brutal power hitters in world cricket. He smashed an incredible 137 off 55 in the final of the inaugural edition against Seattle Orcas.
They have the best bowling attack in the tournament. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will be high on confidence after brilliant individual performances in the T20 World Cup.
Trent Boult is still one of the best new-ball bowlers while Rashid is the best wrist spinner in the format. Overall, it's very difficult to look beyond them as the best side in the competition.