The 2026 Major League Cricket domestic draft threw up some big surprises. Former USA captain Steven Taylor, once a guaranteed pick and the number one overall selection in the very first MLC draft, went unsold this time.
On the other hand, former Sri Lanka international Shehan Jayasuriya made his way back to the Seattle Orcas after being released last year. A total of 17 players were picked across all six teams.
MLC Draft 2026: Key Picks and Notable Movers
Taylor’s fall has been sharp. The 33-year-old was released by Seattle Orcas ahead of the draft and found no takers despite being a long-time batting mainstay at the top of the USA order. Meanwhile, several other players grabbed their chance:
- Aakarshit Gomel, former Mumbai opener, was picked by the Unicorns after three seasons in the minor league
- Raymon Reifer, former West Indies international, joins the Orcas as a domestic player
- Corey Anderson was snapped up by MI New York after being released by the Unicorns. He had previously scored a memorable 95 in a must-win game for MINY at the Wankhede
- Shehan Jayasuriya, 34, returns to the Orcas and has shown strong form recently with a first-class hundred back in Sri Lanka
Fast bowlers were also in demand. Several pacers secured contracts in the $50,000 bracket:
- Amshi de Silva (former Sri Lanka A) and Abhimanyu Lamba (ex-India U19, Rajasthan) were picked by TSK
- Faisal Khan Ahmedzai (Afghanistan-born left-armer) went to MINY
- Mohammad Ilyas (former Karachi Kings) and Zia ul Haq joined the Unicorns
- Carmi le Roux (South African quick) was LA Knight Riders’ first pick
The Bigger Picture For American cricket
A large number of players picked in this draft have experience from List A cricket in full member nations. MLC teams have historically preferred proven international or first-class resumes over performances in US-based leagues. But the domestic ecosystem is getting stronger.
Players like Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Sai Teja Mukkamalla have come through the American system and shown real promise. As investment in grassroots cricket grows, the next step will be making sure homegrown talent gets a fair shot based on skill and form, not just cricketing geography.
