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The Major League Cricket (MLC) domestic players draft for the upcoming season saw some exciting picks, with Agni Chopra, son of renowned Bollywood director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, emerging as the number one draft pick for MI New York. The 26-year-old opening batter, known for his stellar performances in Indian domestic cricket, was signed for $50,000. Meanwhile, USA fast bowler Jasdeep Singh completed a remarkable redemption story by becoming the top pick for Seattle Orcas at $75,000.
The agitating picks thus far had been seen at the MLC domestic players' drafts for another season, where Agni Chopra, son of famous Bollywood director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, became the prime pick for MI New York. The opening batter of 26, considered an absolute gem in domestic cricket, was bought for 50,000 dollars. Meanwhile, USA fast bowler Jasdeep Singh saw an end to his redemption story when he was named the top pick for Seattle Orcas at 75,000 dollars.
Agni Chopra: From Ranji Stardom to MLC
Agni Chopra's cricketing journey made for quite an extraordinary one. The left-handed batter saw fame during the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, having scored four consecutive centuries in his first four games. His extraordinary form continued in the 2024-25 season, where he scored 1,804 runs for Mizoram at a jaw-dropping average of 94.94. His outstanding performances had him awarded the Madhavrao Scindia Award for being the top run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy Plate League.
Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Agni has US citizenship, therefore qualifying him under the MLC as a domestic player. In light of foreign passport holders now being barred by the Board of Control for Cricket in India-in anyone's imagination to play in Ranji Trophy venues-likely made Chopra opt for the USA to pursue his career in cricket. While he was successful in India, moving to MI New York is a new chapter for Agni-and unfortunately a sacrificed chance of making it to the Indian international side.
Jasdeep Singh: A Redemption Story
The most inspirational storyline out of the draft is for the 32-year-old USA fast bowler, Jasdeep Singh. After being undrafted in 2024, Jasdeep was presented as a supplementary pick for MI New York in 2023 before pulling-off a phenomenal comeback as a replacement for Washington Freedom in the middle of the tournament. Incredibly, his Player of the Match performances, back-to-back, in the only two games he played earned the team the crown. Seattle Orcas picked him up as their top pick for 75,000 dollars.
Other Notable Picks in The Draft
In the MLC draft, other players roped in by big-money contracts include:
Texas Super Kings showed interest in the fast-bowling all-rounder Shubham Ranjane, who was picked for 75,000 dollars. Ranjane was a prime candidate due to his twin abilities of hitting hard and seam bowling. The franchise also rewarded young left-arm seamer Stephen Wiig with a 15,000-dollar contract for his consistent performances in Minor League Cricket.
The Seattle Orcas went for experience in 35-year-old Sujit Nayak for 40,000 dollars. He is highly experienced, having represented Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. The Orcas also signed Steven Taylor (25,000 dollars) and Shayan Jahangir (20,000 dollars), who are present USA players.
MI New York strengthened their batting might through Tajinder Singh Dhillon ($50,000) and Sharad Lumba ($15,000), both of whom are ex-Mumbai Indians players. The franchise also signed hard-hitting left-handed batsman Kunwarjit Singh for $20,000.
The Los Angeles Knight Riders and Washington Freedom made purposeful pickups in signing left-arm-spinner Kartik Gattepalli for $15,000 and reserving left-arm seamer Abhishek Paradkar for $10,000.
- San Francisco Unicorns picked up former Pakistan international Hammad Azam in the 10,000-dollar final round.
However, some notable players were overlooked, like former Sri Lanka international Shehan Jayasuriya and former West Indies opener John Campbell, who is in the process of obtaining US citizenship.
