Nicholas Pooran, having recently stepped back from international cricket, will captain MI New York in the next Major League Cricket (MLC) season. Pooran takes over from Kieron Pollard after being instrumental in MI New York’s title-winning campaign, where he showcased his prowess with an unbeaten 137 off 55 balls. His performance helped him top the season’s run chart with 388 runs, leaving Quinton de Kock of Seattle Orcas trailing with 264 runs.
Pooran’s ties with MI date back to his acquisition in the 2017 IPL auction, though his on-field opportunities were limited. He went on to represent teams like Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and currently, Lucknow Super Giants. In the UAE’s ILT20 league, he plays for MI Emirates, reflecting his enduring connection with the MI network.
Joining him as a fresh face in the captaincy ranks, Glenn Maxwell will lead Washington Freedom, succeeding Steven Smith. Recently retiring from ODI cricket to focus on T20 cricket ahead of next year’s World Cup, Maxwell’s leadership comes as Freedom aim to defend their championship title.
Corey Anderson stays at the helm for San Francisco Unicorns, maintaining his unique status as the league’s sole “local” captain, while Heinrich Klaasen continues as captain of Seattle Orcas. No announcements have been made yet by Los Angeles Knight Riders or Texas Super Kings, led last year by Sunil Narine and Faf du Plessis, respectively.
The new MLC season begins on 13 June with an opening clash between defending champions Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns in Oakland. The series will conclude with the final on 12 July.
