Latest news with #VenkyHarinarayan
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2025 Playoffs: Teams, schedule, venue, time in India, USA, UK
Washington Freedom have topped the league standings in the 2025 edition of Major League Cricket (MLC). (Sportzpics) It was a close race for the top spot in the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) with Washington Freedom (WF) pipping Texas Super Kings (TSK) and San Francisco Unicorns (SFU). The top three teams were eventually separated by two points with TSK and SFU differentiated by as little as 0.273 net run rate (NRR) after finishing level. The fourth place in the playoff race went to MI New York (MI NY) who finished a giant eight points behind but did enough to edge Seattle Orcas based on a superior net run rate. Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR), though, had a season to forget with only two wins out of 10 matches played. MLC 2025 group stage Rank Team M W L PT NRR 1 Washington Freedom 10 8 2 16 0.954 2 Texas Super Kings 10 7 3 14 1.603 3 San Francisco Unicorns 10 7 3 14 1.330 4 MI New York 10 3 7 6 -0.518 5 Seattle Orcas 10 3 7 6 -1.842 6 Los Angeles Knight Riders 10 2 8 4 -1.320 Washington Freedom topped the standings with 16 points - winning eight matches out of 10 played. Their only two defeats came against the Unicorns and TSK. In between they reeled off six straight wins before closing out the first stage with back-to-back victories. Interestingly, six of Freedom's wins came when they chased. Faf du Plessis-led Texas Super Kings twice pulled off three consecutive wins in the league stage with three defeats thrown in as well. They pocketed 14 points with a NRR of 1.603. TSK's NRR was marginally better Unicorns' who had taken the early lead and were on course to top the standings at one stage. With six consecutive wins, Unicorns were primed to top the standings with ease. However, three losses in last four matches didn't help their cause. Major League Cricket 2025 Explained: Teams, Schedule & Where to Watch The last and final playoff spot has been taken by MI New York who have progressed despite a disappointing run thus far. Their three wins in 10 matches has seen them through because of equally laggard performances by Orcas and LAKR. Concerningly, MI NY's only wins came against Orcas and twice versus LAKR. MLC 2025 Qualified Teams: Washington Freedom (1), Texas Super Kings (2), San Francisco Unicorns (3), MI New York (4) MLC 2025 Playoff schedule MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost Qualifier 1: Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom at 7pm local time/12am GMT/5:30am IST Eliminator: MI New York vs San Francisco Unicorns at 7pm local time/12am GMT/5:30am IST Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator at 7pm local time/12am GMT/5:30am IST FINAL: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 at 7pm local time/12am GMT/5:30am IST MLC 2025 Playoffs: Where will the matches take place? The matches will take place at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
WATCH: Oakland Coliseum readies for cricket with MLC 2025; drop-in pitches installed
Oakland Coliseum will host the first leg of the 2025 Major League Cricket season. (Sportzpics) Major League Cricket's third season will make history on Thursday night at the Oakland Coliseum in California, marking the first top-level cricket match on the US West Coast. The San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom will face off in a rematch of the 2024 final, utilising drop-in pitches transported from New York in a venue that can accommodate over 60,000 spectators. The Coliseum, which previously hosted the Oakland Athletics (MLB) and Oakland Raiders (NFL), will operate at a reduced capacity of 12,000 for cricket matches. The venue will host the first nine matches of MLC 2025, including three home fixtures for the Unicorns. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The historic stadium, featured in the 2011 film Moneyball starring Brad Pitt, has been without permanent tenants since both professional teams relocated. The Athletics have temporarily moved to Sacramento while planning their eventual relocation to Las Vegas. The Unicorns initiated discussions with the Coliseum last year to bring cricket matches to the Bay Area. "We're going to be playing in Oakland this year and we're excited about playing in Oakland. We're still early in the process of figuring out where we'll end up permanently. The spectrum is pretty large. We can potentially play in Oakland permanently if everything goes well. We're in the process of figuring that piece out," said Unicorns co-owner Venky Harinarayan to when asked about playing in Oakland and the future. Johnny Grave, who joined as MLC chief executive after leading Cricket West Indies for seven years, has overseen the project to modify the 1966-built stadium for cricket matches. MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost "The Coliseum is a fantastic location for Major League Cricket, and we are thrilled by the prospect of some of the world's biggest cricket stars playing in such an iconic Californian venue. Coming to the West Coast, and being here in Oakland, is an historic move for cricket globally. It reinforces our commitment to growing the game in the United States and providing fans with an exceptional cricket experience," said Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket, in March. "The Oakland Coliseum has long been a destination for sports and entertainment, and we are excited to add cricket to its continuing legacy. This move underscores Oakland's status as a diverse and dynamic sports city, and we look forward to supporting the growth of cricket in our community," said Kevin Jenkins, Interim Mayor of the City of Oakland. The San Francisco Unicorns, who finished as runners-up in 2024, will play their first three home games at the Coliseum after spending two years at neutral venues. The tournament's schedule extends beyond Oakland, moving to Grand Prairie, Texas, from June 20 to 29, and concluding at Broward County Stadium, Florida, from July 1st to 6th. With 34 matches across three venues, this will be the largest professional cricket tournament ever held in the USA. READ | A look at the venues in MLC Major League Cricket has announced that the league will provide a $3 million direct economic boost to Oakland, which becomes the first west-coast city to host top-level cricket. MLC 2025 Season details: First leg: June 12 – June 18 at the Oakland Coliseum Second leg: June 20-29 at Grand Prairie, Texas Third leg: June 1-6 at Broward County Stadium, Florida Knockouts: July 8 - 13 at Grand Prairie, Texas
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2025: When and where to watch MLC, full match schedule, dates, and live streaming details in India, USA, and other countries
MLC Team Captains The excitement is building once again as Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 gears up for another action-packed season from June 12 to July 14. With six teams set to clash in a double round-robin format, followed by a multi-step playoff, the USA's flagship T20 league promises a month-long cricketing carnival. The tournament will be played across three major venues — Oakland Coliseum in California, Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, and Broward County Stadium in Florida. The playoffs and final will be hosted exclusively at Grand Prairie Stadium. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The opening fixture is a mouthwatering rematch of last year's final, with defending champions Washington Freedom taking on runners-up San Francisco Unicorns. Washington Freedom will be looking to assert their dominance once again, while the Unicorns aim for redemption. MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost The league also shares strong ties with the Indian Premier League, with four out of six franchises linked to IPL giants: MI New York → Mumbai Indians, Texas Super Kings → Chennai Super Kings, LA Knight Riders → Kolkata Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas → Delhi Capitals How to watch Major League Cricket 2025 (MLC) matches: Cricket lovers around the world can enjoy the MLC live through various streaming platforms and broadcasters: India: Star Sports and JioCinema / Disney+ Hotstar (app + website) USA & Canada: Willow TV Australia: Channel 7 New Zealand: Sky NZ Middle East & North Africa: Cricbuzz app/website Caribbean: ESPN Major League Cricket Match Details – Date and Time The MLC 2025 schedule features 10 league matches for each team, followed by Qualifier, Eliminator, Challenger, and the Final, making every game count. The matches will be played during the prime summer window in the US, allowing international stars to participate after the IPL ends. Tournament starts: June 12, 2025 League stage ends: July 7, 2025 Playoffs: July 9–13, 2025 Final: July 14, 2025 Match timings will vary based on the venue but are expected to align with evening prime time in the USA, and early morning to afternoon slots in India MLC 2025 Schedule: June 12: SF Unicorns vs Washington Freedom – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 13) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 13: MI New York vs Texas Super Kings – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 14) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 14: SF Unicorns vs LA Knight Riders – 02:30 AM IST (Jun 15) / 09:00 PM GMT / 02:00 PM Local June 15: Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 16) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 15: LA Knight Riders vs Texas Super Kings – 02:30 AM IST (Jun 16) / 09:00 PM GMT / 02:00 PM Local June 16: SF Unicorns vs MI New York – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 17) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 17: Texas Super Kings vs Seattle Orcas – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 18) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 18: Washington Freedom vs LA Knight Riders – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 19) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 20: MI New York vs Seattle Orcas – 06:30 AM IST (Jun 21) / 01:00 AM GMT / 06:00 PM Local June 21: Texas Super Kings vs SF Unicorns – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 22: MI New York vs Washington Freedom – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 23: Seattle Orcas vs LA Knight Riders – 01:30 AM IST / 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM Local June 23: Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 24: MI New York vs SF Unicorns – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 25: Texas Super Kings vs LA Knight Riders – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 26: Seattle Orcas vs SF Unicorns – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 27: LA Knight Riders vs Washington Freedom – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 28: Seattle Orcas vs MI New York – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 29: Washington Freedom vs SF Unicorns – 01:30 AM IST / 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM Local June 29: LA Knight Riders vs Seattle Orcas – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local June 30: Texas Super Kings vs MI New York – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local July 2: SF Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 1) July 3: Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 2) July 4: LA Knight Riders vs MI New York – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 3) July 5: SF Unicorns vs Texas Super Kings – 12:30 AM IST / 07:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM Local (Jul 4) July 5: Washington Freedom vs Seattle Orcas – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 4) July 6: MI New York vs LA Knight Riders – 12:30 AM IST / 07:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM Local (Jul 5) July 6: Seattle Orcas vs Texas Super Kings – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 5) July 7: Washington Freedom vs MI New York – 12:30 AM IST / 07:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM Local (Jul 6) July 7: LA Knight Riders vs SF Unicorns – 04:30 AM IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 6) July 9: Qualifier (1st vs 2nd) – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 8) July 10: Eliminator (3rd vs 4th) – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 9) July 12: Challenger (Loser Q vs Winner E) – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 11) July 14: Final – 05:30 AM IST / 12:00 AM GMT / 07:00 PM Local (Jul 13)
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengaluru matches moved out of KSCA: BCCI
BENGALURU: Amid rising concerns over Karnataka State Cricket Association's (KSCA) administrative stability in the aftermath of Wednesday's stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, hosting of cricket in the city has taken a huge hit. The first casualty is the three-match one-day series between India 'A' and South Africa 'A' scheduled to be held here from Nov 13 to 19. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Without specifying any reason, Indian cricket board ( BCCI ) issued a press release, stating Bengaluru matches have been shifted to Rajkot. The KSCA president did not dwell on the reasons but maintained that the stampede and change of venues were not related. Sources said the decision was taken on Thursday and communicated to KSCA. Poll Do you believe the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium will impact future cricket events in Bengaluru? Yes, significantly Yes, but not much No, it won't have an impact Unsure Before the limited-overs series, the two teams will play two multi-day red-ball matches and those will be held as per schedule at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) — a dedicated centre near the airport on the outskirts of the city. This could probably be the beginning of problems for KSCA as a host association. According to sources, BCCI and the International Cricket Council (ICC) are now weighing the feasibility of ICC Women's WC matches that are to be held in Bengaluru between Sept and Nov. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Chinnaswamy Stadium is one of the five venues in India set to host the premier tournament with the Bengaluru facility earmarked for the opening contest involving India (on Sept 30), one semifinal (Oct 30) and the final (Nov 2) if Pakistan does not qualify, in which case it will be moved to Colombo. MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost Speaking to TOI, former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy said, 'I'm yet to come to terms with the tragedy at the stadium, which has brought joy and happiness to fans for 50 years. If the women's World Cup matches are shifted out of Bengaluru, it will be a huge blow to cricket in the state. As for women's cricket, we haven't seen much growth in the past two-and-a-half years, and it will set us back further.' According to sources, it is unlikely KSCA will host a major cricket match for some time. To begin with, the stadium needs to be renovated, with the fan frenzy on Wednesday resulting in significant damage to the structure, including compound walls, railings, the staircase, and sanitation.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MLC 2025: San Francisco Unicorns unveil star-studded investors ahead of third season
Logo of the San Francisco Unicorns, who play in USA's Major League Cricket (MLC). The San Francisco Unicorns are stepping into the 2025 season of Major League Cricket (MLC) with a major boost. The franchise have announced a marquee list of new investors, including some of the biggest names from Silicon Valley and Hollywood, underscoring the growing momentum behind cricket's rise in the United States. Among the prominent figures joining the Unicorns' investor group are Shantanu Narayen (Chairman and CEO, Adobe), Neal Mohan (CEO, YouTube), Divesh Makan (Founder and CEO, ICONIQ Capital), and actor Kunal Nayyar of The Big Bang Theory fame. The group also includes influential tech leaders such as Aditya Agarwal (former CTO, Dropbox), Neeraj Arora (former Chief Business Officer, WhatsApp), and Amit Singhal (former SVP of Search at Google), alongside institutional investors like UC Investments (University of California). Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Unicorns' principal owners and managing partners, Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan , have deep roots in the Bay Area tech ecosystem. With prior entrepreneurial success at Junglee (acquired by Amazon) and Kosmix (acquired by Walmart), the duo are leveraging their network to build a franchise that merges the global passion for cricket with the innovation-centric culture of Silicon Valley. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Obtén audífonos premium sin pagar absolutamente nada Top Audifonos Undo MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost 'This world-class group of investors brings deep strategic expertise and a shared vision for growing the game of cricket in the Bay Area and across the United States,' said Rajaraman. 'With their support, we're building a team that reflects the global spirit of the sport and the innovation-driven culture of the Bay Area.' Kunal Nayyar, who joins as a passionate lifelong cricket fan, echoed the sentiment: 'Growing up in New Delhi, cricket has always been close to my heart. It's a game that unites people across cultures and continents. I'm proud to support the San Francisco Unicorns as they help bring world-class cricket to the US and inspire a new generation of fans.' Fixtures of the San Francisco Unicorns in MLC 2025. The Unicorns, who reached the MLC final last season, play their home matches at the historic Oakland Coliseum. The team will open their 2025 campaign on June 12, aiming to build on its early success with an exciting mix of international stars and homegrown talent. Coached by former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson , the Unicorns' squad features a mix of seasoned global players and rising prospects. Key names include Australian trio Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Cooper Connolly; New Zealand's Finn Allen; England's Liam Plunkett; USA's Corey Anderson; West Indies' Romario Shepherd; and local Bay Area cricketer Sanjay Krishnamurthi.
