The Los Angeles Knight Riders bring Bollywood glamour and Caribbean flair to American cricket as one of the six founding franchises of Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in the Greater Los Angeles area, this professional Twenty20 team launched in 2023 with star power both on and off the field.
The team combines international cricket expertise with Hollywood entertainment industry backing. Head coach Phil Simmons and captain Sunil Narine (2023-2024) and Jason Holder (2025) lead the squad forward.
The Knight Riders Group, owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Jay Mehta, owns the franchise. The team aims to popularize cricket in the entertainment capital of America.
You’ll discover how the Purple and Gold have navigated their early seasons, the star players who define the squad’s identity, and the rivalries emerging in U.S. cricket. From their distinctive colors to tournament struggles, LAKR’s story reflects cricket’s ambitious expansion into America.
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Overview of Los Angeles Knight Riders Cricket Team
Los Angeles Knight Riders is one of Major League Cricket’s original franchises, established in 2023 and owned by the Knight Riders Group. The team wears the distinctive purple and gold colors shared with their sister franchises worldwide and continues building their identity in American cricket.
History and Formation
Los Angeles Knight Riders launched in 2023 as one of the six inaugural MLC franchises. The Knight Riders Group stepped in as investors when Major League Cricket announced its formation in December 2020.
CEO Venky Mysore first announced plans in April 2021 to establish the team with their own stadium. In April 2022, they revealed plans for a 10,000-seat cricket stadium at Great Park in Irvine, California, with a projected cost of $30 million.
In March 2023, the franchise unveiled their team logo, maintaining the Knight Riders brand identity with purple and gold colors. The Knights had the final pick in the inaugural MLC draft on March 19, 2023, selecting Ali Khan as their first choice.
The team assembled a strong squad including England’s Jason Roy, Australia’s Adam Zampa, West Indies’ Sunil Narine, and New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson. The franchise chose to leverage their global Knight Riders network rather than partnering with other cricket boards.
Key Achievements and Milestones
Los Angeles Knight Riders’ journey in MLC has been challenging, with limited success in their first two seasons. They finished sixth in the 2023 inaugural season with just one win.
Notable Season Performances:
- 2023: Finished 6th with 1 win
- 2024: Improved to 5th place with 2 wins
- 2025: Won their first match but struggled with 6 losses in 7 games
The 2024 season showed slight improvement as LA Knight Riders doubled their win tally. Players like Shakib Al Hasan and Andre Russell delivered strong individual performances despite team struggles.
The 2025 season proved particularly difficult for the Purple Brigade. Despite Andre Fletcher’s century against Washington Freedom and Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive 86 off 44 balls, the team found themselves at the bottom of the table with their playoff hopes virtually extinguished. This poor form has significantly impacted betting odds on the Los Angeles Knight Riders, with sportsbooks often offering generous odds for LAKR victories due to their underdog status – making them an intriguing option for risk-taking bettors who believe in potential upsets.
Identity, Branding and Fanbase
Los Angeles Knight Riders’ brand leverages the global Knight Riders identity, featuring the iconic purple and gold colors. The knight logo symbolizes strength and valor, connecting them to successful franchises in India, the Caribbean, and the UAE.
The franchise brings Bollywood star power to Major League Cricket through Shah Rukh Khan’s ownership, creating unique appeal in the entertainment-focused Los Angeles market.
Big-name international signings maintain media attention for LAKR. Players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Shakib Al Hasan have elevated the team’s profile among cricket fans.
Being based in Los Angeles gives the Hollywood Knights access to a diverse international community and the entertainment industry. The Hollywood connection through Red Chillies Entertainment creates natural synergies for marketing and fan engagement.
Current Squad and Key Players
The Los Angeles Knight Riders squad for Major League Cricket 2025 features a mix of Caribbean power hitters, international stars, and emerging American talent across all departments.
Player Profiles: Sunil Narine and Other Stars
Sunil Narine served as captain from 2023-2024 and remains the franchise’s most iconic player. The West Indian all-rounder brings T20 expertise from his years with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Narine, a left-handed batter and mystery spinner, provides crucial balance to the Knights. His ability to open the batting and bowl in the powerplay makes him invaluable.
Jason Holder took over the captaincy for the 2025 season. The West Indies all-rounder brings leadership experience and the ability to contribute with both bat and ball for LA KR.
Andre Russell continues as the team’s explosive finisher. His power-hitting ability and death bowling skills make him a match-winner on his day.
Sherfane Rutherford emerged as a key player in 2025, scoring crucial runs including an 86 off 44 balls. His left-handed batting adds variety to the middle order.
Recent Seasons and 2025 Major League Cricket Campaign
Los Angeles Knight Riders have struggled to find consistency in Major League Cricket, finishing in the bottom half of the table in all three seasons while searching for the winning formula.
Performance in Major League Cricket 2024
Los Angeles Knight Riders showed marginal improvement in 2024, winning two matches compared to just one in their debut season. The team finished fifth with five points.
The batting showed flashes of brilliance with contributions from Shakib Al Hasan and Andre Russell. The Caribbean power was evident when Russell was in full flow for the Purple and Gold.
The bowling attack struggled for consistency throughout the campaign. Despite having quality bowlers, SRK’s American Team couldn’t maintain pressure in crucial moments.
MI New York also finished with five points, but LAKR’s inferior net run rate meant they missed the playoffs. This highlighted the importance of winning margins in the tournament format.
2025 Fixtures and Schedule
The 2025 Major League Cricket season expanded to 34 matches, providing more opportunities for teams to find their rhythm. Los Angeles Knight Riders opened their campaign on June 14 against San Francisco Unicorns.
Los Angeles Knight Riders played their home matches at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and Church Street Park in North Carolina while awaiting completion of their Irvine stadium.
Key fixtures included matches against defending champions Washington Freedom on June 26, where Andre Fletcher scored a century in a losing cause for the Knights.
The expanded schedule meant more travel and challenges in maintaining consistency. The Hollywood Knights struggled to build momentum across the longer season.
Results and Standings
Los Angeles Knight Riders endured a difficult 2025 season, winning just one match from their first seven games. This poor run effectively ended their playoff hopes by mid-season.
MLC 2025 Key Results:
- Lost to San Francisco Unicorns in season opener
- First win came against an opponent mid-season
- Andre Fletcher’s century against Washington Freedom in vain
- Sherfane Rutherford’s 86 against a strong bowling attack showed fighting spirit
- Finished at the bottom of the table
The team’s struggles were highlighted when Seattle Orcas defeated the Purple Brigade to push them to last place. Jones and Hetmyer starred for the Orcas in that victory.
Texas Super Kings dominated their encounter with LAKR, with Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad sharing four wickets to restrict them to a below-par total.
Despite individual brilliance from players like Fletcher and Rutherford, the American Knight Riders couldn’t string together consistent performances. The campaign ended with their playoff hopes mathematically over before the final matches.
Rivalries and Historical Matches
Los Angeles Knight Riders are still building their rivalry portfolio, with most matchups characterized by one-sided results. Their struggles have prevented the development of competitive rivalries in their early MLC seasons.
Texas Super Kings vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
The rivalry with Texas Super Kings began in the inaugural 2023 season when TSK won the opening match of MLC history. That first game set the tone for a lopsided series.
Texas Super Kings have dominated this matchup against the Knights, winning most encounters convincingly. In 2025, TSK’s spinners Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad dismantled the batting lineup.
LA Knight Riders struggled particularly against TSK’s spin attack. The Chennai Super Kings-backed franchise brought their spin expertise to these contests.
Despite the one-sided nature, these matches carry extra significance as both teams have strong Indian connections through their ownership groups.
San Francisco Unicorns vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
San Francisco Unicorns have enjoyed success against Los Angeles Knight Riders, including winning the 2025 season opener between the two California-based franchises.
The Unicorns’ balanced squad has typically proved too strong for the Purple and Gold. Players like Jake Fraser-McGurk and Finn Allen have dominated the bowling attack.
The geographical proximity should fuel this rivalry, but LAKR needs to improve their performance to make it competitive. Both teams represent major California cities.
Adam Milne and Noor Ahmad starred for the Unicorns in one encounter, bowling out the Hollywood Knights for just 124 in a 57-run victory.
MI New York vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
The battle between Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders and Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai Indians franchise created natural storylines, extending their IPL rivalry to American soil.
Both teams finished level on points in 2024, but MI New York’s superior net run rate saw them progress while the Bollywood Knights were eliminated.
Kieron Pollard’s performances for MI New York often proved decisive. His experience in pressure situations gave his team the edge in close encounters against LAKR.
The Bollywood vs Business rivalry adds extra spice to these matches, attracting significant attention from Indian cricket fans following MLC.
Washington Freedom vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
Matches against the defending champions Washington Freedom have showcased both the potential and limitations of the MLC Knight Riders. Andre Fletcher’s century in 2025 came in a losing cause against Freedom.
Glenn Phillips’ last-ball heroics for Washington Freedom in one thriller highlighted the inability of the Knights to close out tight games.
The Freedom’s championship pedigree has been evident in these encounters. Players like Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have typically risen to the occasion against the Purple Brigade.
Despite individual performances like Fletcher’s hundred, the West Coast Knight Riders have struggled to match the Freedom’s all-round strength and big-match temperament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for details on LAKR’s squad, ownership, coaching staff, or performance? Here’s everything you need to know about this MLC franchise.
Who are the current players in the LA Knights cricket squad?
The 2025 squad features captain Jason Holder leading a diverse roster. Key players include Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Andre Fletcher.
The Purple and Gold retained several core players including spinner Narine and all-rounder Russell. New additions for 2025 included Alex Hales and Anrich Nortje to strengthen batting and bowling departments.
What is the upcoming fixture schedule for the Knight Riders USA?
The Knights began their 2025 season on June 14 against San Francisco Unicorns. They play nine matches in the group stage of the expanded 34-match season.
Check the official MLC website for the latest fixture updates. The team plays home matches at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and Church Street Park in North Carolina.
Who holds the ownership of the Los Angeles Knight Riders cricket team?
The Knight Riders Group owns the franchise. The group comprises Red Chillies Entertainment (owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan) and the Mehta Group (Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta).
This ownership structure connects the team to the successful Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL), Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20) franchises.
At which venue does the Los Angeles KR team play their home matches?
LAKR currently play home matches at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and Church Street Park in North Carolina while their permanent venue is under construction.
The franchise is building a 10,000-seat stadium at Great Park in Irvine, California. The $30 million facility is expected to be completed by 2025, giving the Hollywood Knights a true home base in Southern California.
Who is coaching the Los Angeles Knight Riders team?
Phil Simmons serves as head coach of the Purple Brigade. The former West Indies international brings extensive coaching experience to the role.
The coaching staff includes Bharat Arun as bowling coach and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach. Both previously worked with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, maintaining the Knight Riders coaching philosophy.
How has Los Angeles Knight Riders performed in their recent matches?
The Knights have struggled in MLC 2025, winning just one of their first seven matches. Individual performances like Andre Fletcher’s century and Sherfane Rutherford’s 86 provided rare highlights in a difficult campaign.
The team sits at the bottom of the table with their playoff hopes virtually over. Their poor net run rate and inability to close out tight matches have been recurring issues throughout LAKR’s MLC journey.
