Olympics Calling: 4 Uncapped Players Aiming to Turn Heads in Minor League Cricket
With places potentially opening up in USA's LA28 player pool, Cricbuzz looks at four uncapped American players who could use this MiLC season to push themselves into the consideration for national call-up
Cricket's return to the Olympics in Los Angeles could reshape the selection landscape for USA over the next two years. While the national team's regular ICC commitments have traditionally drawn from a pool governed by residency eligibility, LA28 brings nationality requirements into play, potentially opening the door for a different set of contenders.
That makes this year's Minor League Cricket season, beginning Thursday, particularly significant. MiLC has long provided emerging players a pathway towards Major League Cricket and the national side, but performances over the next two seasons could now carry Olympic implications as well. With places potentially opening up in USA's LA28 player pool, Cricbuzz looks at four uncapped American players who could use this MiLC season to push themselves into the conversation.
Kunwarjeet Singh
Kunwarjeet Singh's numbers across two MiLC seasons make a stronger case than his limited MLC opportunities have allowed. The California-born right-hander has amassed over 500 runs in 19 MiLC innings, establishing himself as a dependable presence while showing the versatility to move around the batting order.
His second MLC season did not quite provide the breakthrough he would have hoped for. Kunwarjeet managed 32 runs from four innings for MI New York, with a 20-ball 26 against Washington Freedom, his only innings of substance. That followed the promise of his unbeaten 13-ball 22 in the 2025 final, when he helped MINY recover from a late collapse to clinch the title.
With USA's Olympic equation bringing American-born players firmly into focus, the 28-year-old has another opportunity to press his case through MiLC. His ability to bat anywhere in the order could prove particularly useful in a format where flexibility and matchup options increasingly dictate selection.
Agni Chopra
Agni Chopra will enter this MiLC season with a point to prove. The 27-year-old arrived in American cricket last year carrying a mountain of first-class runs from India, but endured an underwhelming introduction to MLC, managing 13 runs from two outings for MI New York. He did not get an opportunity in the competition this year either, leaving MiLC as his immediate stage to remind everyone of the pedigree behind those numbers.
Chopra's first-class record in India, headlined by four centuries in his first four Ranji Trophy matches for Mizoram, suggests a batsman of considerably greater substance than his brief MLC exposure has shown. His MiLC returns offer further evidence: 298 runs from 11 innings at a strike rate of 147.52.
More significantly, Chopra offers something scarce in USA's batting pool, a frontline left-hander. Naturally accustomed to batting higher up, he may need to demonstrate the flexibility to slide into the middle order, where his left-handedness could become particularly valuable in a matchup-driven T20 setup. With the Olympic equation potentially widening USA's selection pool, a strong MiLC season could quickly put Chopra back on the radar.
Anirudh Immanuel
Anirudh Immanuel was one of the surprise picks at this year's MLC draft, with Texas Super Kings' punt on the little-known 21-year-old legspinner initially raising a few eyebrows. His opportunities were limited to two games and a solitary wicket, albeit a memorable one, having Kieron Pollard chop onto his stumps.
It was shortly afterwards that Immanuel offered a glimpse of his rapid development. Turning out for the Unicorns at the GSL T20 in Guyana, he produced a breathtaking 3 for 7 in the final, accounting for Mohammad Nabi and Rovman Powell along the way.
The New Jersey-based Indian-American, of Tamil heritage, also spent time training within the Super Kings setup after being drafted and found a valuable mentor in R Ashwin, who helped him understand the nuances of modern T20 spin bowling. With young legspinner Yasir Mohammad yet to cement his USA spot, Immanuel's rise should interest Pubudu Dassanayake. NJ Stallions will now hope that experience translates into a defining MiLC campaign.
Nitish Sudini
At just 18, Nitish Sudini may have the longest runway of the four towards Los Angeles. The Atlanta youngster announced himself on the global stage earlier this year by becoming USA's first centurion in an ICC tournament, producing a superb 117 against New Zealand after walking in at 40 for 5.
Sudini will now turn out for defending champions Atlanta Fire, where a full MiLC season alongside Shakib Al Hasan could prove an invaluable education. Standing close to six feet with long levers and a strong base, Sudini's calling card has been his ability to clear the ropes with unusual ease. Particularly striking is his ability to launch spinners straight down the ground off the back foot, without having to manufacture momentum by advancing down the pitch.
Add his seam bowling to that power-hitting package and Sudini presents a skillset difficult to find among Olympic-eligible prospects. MiLC now gives him the chance to show those explosive traits can translate consistently into senior cricket.
