By Manvindar Singh 
With the Major League Cricket (MLC) Domestic Player Draft set for February 19, franchises have revealed their retention lists, leading to surprising exclusions and major reshuffles. While teams like Washington Freedom, Los Angeles Knight Riders, and San Francisco Unicorns have held onto most of their domestic players, franchises such as Seattle Orcas, MI New York, and Texas Super Kings have taken a more aggressive approach, releasing nearly half their domestic rosters.
Seattle Orcas Hold the Biggest Purse, Release Key Players
Among all teams, Seattle Orcas head into the draft with the largest available budget of USD 180,000, having parted ways with several high-profile players. The most notable release is Shehan Jayasuriya, a former Sri Lankan international, who reportedly sought an early contract termination. Jayasuriya was left out in the early stages of MLC 2023 due to fitness concerns, which may have influenced the franchise’s decision.
Also among the surprising cuts is all-rounder Shubham Ranjane, a player many expected to be a key figure for the Orcas. Ranjane, despite being underutilized last season, is now widely tipped to be the No.1 pick in the upcoming draft, a status that will grant him a 50% salary increase under league rules.
MI New York Parts Ways with Steven Taylor and Shayan Jahangir
MI New York has made bold decisions ahead of the draft, most notably releasing Steven Taylor, their first-ever domestic draft pick from 2023. The USA batter struggled to make a significant impact over the past two seasons, leading the franchise to look for fresh talent.
Another major exit is Shayan Jahangir, the USA’s wicketkeeper-batter, who is already dealing with visa complications that prevented him from playing in the ongoing ODI tri-series in Oman. His release adds further uncertainty to his immediate cricketing future. Additionally, Ruben Clinton, MI New York’s top domestic pick from last season, has also been released following a series of disappointing performances.
With USD 160,000 in their budget, MI New York is expected to be an active player in the draft, looking to rebuild after letting go of key domestic players.
Texas Super Kings Make Significant Cuts
The Texas Super Kings (TSK) have also offloaded several domestic players, including former No.1 draft pick Raj Nannan. The left-arm spinner was dropped without playing a single match, raising questions about the franchise’s squad planning.
Another notable exit is Zia Shehzad, a Pakistan-born leg-spinner who featured in just one match across his two seasons with TSK. With USD 100,000 remaining, the franchise has some flexibility to strengthen its roster through the draft.
Minimal Changes for Washington Freedom, LA Knight Riders & San Francisco Unicorns
Unlike the more aggressive reshuffling seen in other teams, Washington Freedom, Los Angeles Knight Riders, and San Francisco Unicorns have retained most of their squads. Their remaining budgets are relatively small, with:
- Washington Freedom – USD 15,000
- Los Angeles Knight Riders – USD 10,000
- San Francisco Unicorns – USD 10,000
As a result, these teams are unlikely to make major moves in the draft, instead opting for minor adjustments.
What to Expect from the MLC Domestic Draft
The upcoming MLC Domestic Draft promises to be a high-stakes event, particularly for Seattle Orcas, MI New York, and Texas Super Kings, who must rebuild key portions of their squads. With several high-profile players now available, competition for top picks like Shubham Ranjane and Shehan Jayasuriya is expected to be fierce.
Teams with higher budgets will have the advantage, but with limited slots available, strategic selections will be key to assembling a well-balanced squad. Fans can expect a thrilling draft as franchises look to fine-tune their domestic rosters ahead of the new season.
Zainab Shafiq