The Seattle Orcas showcase the power of Indian corporate excellence in American cricket as one of the six founding franchises of Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in the Seattle metropolitan area, this professional Twenty20 team launched in 2023 with backing from tech giants including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the GMR Group, owners of IPL’s Delhi Capitals.
The team combines Delhi Capitals’ cricket expertise with Seattle’s tech innovation. Former Indian cricketer Pravin Amre, who previously coached Delhi Capitals, leads the coaching setup alongside international cricket minds.
The franchise ownership reads like a who’s who of successful Indian-Americans in tech: Satya Nadella, Soma Somasegar, Samir Bodas, Ashok Krishnamurthi, and Sanjay Parthasarathy, partnering with the GMR Group. This Indian brain trust aims to establish cricket in Microsoft’s backyard.
You’ll discover how the team has experienced dramatic highs and lows, from reaching the inaugural final to finishing last, the international stars defining the roster, and the Delhi Capitals connection shaping their approach. From Marymoor Park plans to David Warner’s arrival, the Orcas’ journey reflects the Indian diaspora’s influence on American cricket.
Table of Contents
Overview of Seattle Orcas Cricket Team
The Orcas is one of Major League Cricket’s original franchises, established in 2023 and owned by an impressive consortium of Indian-American tech leaders and the GMR Group. The team mirrors Delhi Capitals’ approach while building their Pacific Northwest identity.
History and Formation
Seattle Orcas launched in 2023 as one of the six inaugural MLC franchises. The ownership group features Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella leading a consortium of successful Indian-American entrepreneurs alongside the GMR Group.
The GMR Group, which co-owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL, brought their cricket infrastructure and expertise to Seattle. This partnership created a direct pipeline between Indian cricket and American expansion.
In March 2023, the franchise partnered with GMR Group officially, establishing the Delhi Capitals connection that would define their approach. The synergy meant shared resources, coaching philosophies, and player development systems.
The team unveiled their Orcas identity to honor Seattle’s marine heritage. Co-owner Soma Somasegar explained the name and colors “pay tribute to our local community that has helped build that spirit of support.”
Key Achievements and Milestones
Seattle Orcas experienced a rollercoaster journey in their short history, reaching the highest highs and lowest lows of MLC competition.
Notable Season Performances:
- 2023: Topped the table, reached the final, lost to MI New York
- 2024: Dramatic collapse to last place with just 1 win
- 2025: Mid-season upheaval with captain and coach changes
The 2023 inaugural season saw them dominate the league stage, winning against Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, and Texas Super Kings to finish first. Though they lost the final to MI New York, it established them as serious contenders.
The 2024 season brought a shocking reversal. From table-toppers to bottom-dwellers, winning just one match all season highlighted the volatility of T20 cricket and team dynamics.
The 2025 season started poorly with five consecutive losses, leading to Heinrich Klaasen stepping down as captain and Matthew Mott’s removal as coach. Sikandar Raza took over captaincy as the team sought mid-season redemption.
Identity, Branding and Fanbase
Seattle’s MLC teams’ brand leverages both local Pacific Northwest culture and their Delhi Capitals connection. The team colors and orca symbolism resonate with Seattle’s maritime identity.
The franchise benefits from extraordinary ownership credentials. Satya Nadella’s involvement brings instant recognition among Indian tech professionals, while GMR’s cricket pedigree adds legitimacy.
The Delhi Capitals partnership creates natural support from DC’s IPL fanbase. Indian cricket fans following Rishabh Pant and other DC stars naturally gravitate toward their American sister franchise.
The planned venue at Marymoor Park in Redmond positions them perfectly for the tech corridor’s large Indian community. Microsoft campus proximity ensures strong desi support for home matches.
Current Squad and Key Players
The SO squad for Major League Cricket 2025 features explosive West Indies power, Australian experience, and the Delhi Capitals development pipeline bringing emerging talent.
Player Profiles: David Warner and Other Stars
David Warner headlines the 2025 squad as the marquee signing. The Australian opener brings vast T20 experience from IPL, where he captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to their 2016 title, making him a familiar face for Indian fans.
Warner’s aggressive batting style and leadership experience provide the veteran presence Seattle desperately needed after their 2024 struggles. His IPL success with Delhi Capitals adds another layer to the franchise connection.
Sikandar Raza assumed captaincy mid-season after Klaasen’s resignation. The Zimbabwe all-rounder brings passion and all-round abilities, having impressed in international cricket against India.
Kyle Mayers offers explosive Caribbean batting at the top. His ability to dominate powerplays mirrors the approach Indian fans love from players like Prithvi Shaw or Shikhar Dhawan.
Shimron Hetmyer and Obed McCoy continue the West Indies influence, bringing IPL experience from their stints with Rajasthan Royals and other franchises.
Recent Seasons and 2025 Major League Cricket Campaign
The Orcas transformed from inaugural finalists to wooden spooners before attempting a dramatic mid-season revival in 2025, showcasing the unpredictable nature of franchise cricket familiar to IPL fans.
Performance in Major League Cricket 2024
Seattle Orcas’ 2024 campaign ranks among the most dramatic collapses in franchise cricket history. From first to worst in consecutive seasons shocked cricket observers.
The batting unit failed consistently, with Ryan Rickelton’s 225 runs a rare bright spot. The middle order crumbled repeatedly under pressure, lacking the stability champions require.
Cameron Gannon maintained his bowling standards but received minimal support. The fielding standards dropped significantly from their inaugural season excellence.
Winning just one match from seven attempts highlighted systemic issues. The team culture and dynamics clearly suffered without proper leadership and direction.
2025 Fixtures and Schedule
The 2025 Major League Cricket season brought immediate challenges for Delhi Capitals’ sister franchise. The expanded 34-match format meant more opportunities but also exposed weaknesses early.
Seattle opened against defending champions Washington Freedom on June 14, immediately testing their rebuilt squad. The fixture list included all teams playing each other multiple times.
Playing home matches remained a challenge without Marymoor Park ready. The team continued using neutral venues while their Redmond facility undergoes development.
The mid-season break after five straight losses allowed for dramatic changes. New captain Raza and the coaching restructure aimed to salvage their playoff hopes.
This dramatic turnaround potential makes the Seattle Orcas an intriguing betting proposition for risk-takers, as their underdog status often translates to generous odds despite having world-class players like David Warner who can single-handedly change match outcomes.
Seattle Orcas 2025 Key Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 14 | Washington Freedom | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost – Season Opener |
| June 16 | Texas Super Kings | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost by 8 wickets (60 all out) |
| June 19 | San Francisco Unicorns | Church Street Park | Lost by 35 runs |
| June 22 | LA Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost by 7 wickets |
| June 25 | MI New York | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost by 5 wickets |
| June 28 | MID-SEASON BREAK | – | Klaasen resigned, Mott removed |
| July 2 | MI New York | Church Street Park | Won – Last ball thriller (Raza’s first as captain) |
| July 5 | Washington Freedom | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost by 42 runs |
| July 8 | Texas Super Kings | Church Street Park | Lost by 6 wickets |
| July 11 | San Francisco Unicorns | Grand Prairie Stadium | Lost by 9 wickets |
Results and Standings
Delhi Capitals’ sister franchise’ 2025 season started disastrously with five consecutive defeats, prompting emergency changes to leadership. The mid-season reset showed the franchise’s willingness to make tough decisions.
MLC 2025 Key Results:
- Lost opening five matches consecutively
- Heinrich Klaasen resigned as captain after 0-5 start
- Matthew Mott removed as head coach
- Sikandar Raza appointed new captain
- First win came against MI New York on the last ball
The dramatic victory over MI New York in Raza’s first match as captain provided hope. Kyle Mayers’ contribution proved crucial in breaking the losing streak.
Being bundled out for just 60 against Texas Super Kings earlier epitomized their struggles. The batting collapse resembled India’s occasional overseas debacles.
The coaching change aimed to replicate Delhi Capitals’ IPL philosophy more closely. Pravin Amre’s experience with young Indian talent became even more valuable.
Rivalries and Historical Matches
Seattle Orcas’ dramatic swings between success and failure create compelling storylines, with their Delhi Capitals connection adding spice to matches against other IPL-affiliated franchises.
MI New York vs Seattle Orcas
The rivalry with MI New York carries special significance after the 2023 final. Mumbai Indians’ franchise defeating Seattle in the inaugural championship game created lasting memories.
The 2025 last-ball thriller where Seattle finally beat MI New York marked a turning point. Breaking their losing streak against Ambani’s franchise felt like redemption for frustrated fans.
Both teams feature heavy West Indies influence, creating Caribbean showdowns within American cricket. The Mumbai-Delhi IPL rivalry extends naturally to their MLC avatars.
For Indian fans, this matchup represents familiar IPL dynamics in a new setting. The corporate rivalry between Microsoft and Reliance adds another dimension.
Washington Freedom vs The Orcas
Opening day fixtures against defending champions Washington Freedom test Seattle’s credentials. The 2023 victory over Freedom launched their successful inaugural campaign.
Recent encounters have favored Washington, highlighting Seattle’s decline from their early dominance. The pressure of facing champions often exposed their fragile confidence.
The contrast between franchises is stark – Freedom’s stability versus Seattle’s volatility. Indian fans recognize this pattern from IPL, where consistency trumps occasional brilliance.
Both teams employ Australian coaches, creating tactical battles reminiscent of Border-Gavaskar contests. The strategic depth appeals to cricket purists.
San Francisco Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas
The West Coast rivalry should be natural, but Seattle’s struggles prevented competitive matches. The 2023 victory over Unicorns by 35 runs remains their rivalry highlight.
Chennai-born entrepreneurs owning San Francisco versus Indian tech leaders backing Seattle creates a Silicon Valley desi derby. The battle for Bay Area supremacy extends northward.
Both franchises represent tech hubs with massive Indian populations. The cultural connections make this a rivalry with potential once Seattle stabilizes.
Early dominance by Seattle in 2023 gave way to Unicorns’ superiority as fortunes reversed. The rivalry mirrors tech industry dynamics of rapid rises and falls.
Texas Super Kings vs SO
Matches against Chennai Super Kings’ sister franchise carry IPL undertones. The 2025 sixty all-out disaster against TSK marked Seattle’s nadir before leadership changes.
CSK’s methodical approach contrasts sharply with Seattle’s boom-or-bust style. Indian fans recognize this as classic CSK grinding down flashier opponents.
The 2023 eight-wicket victory over TSK showed Seattle at their best. When firing, they could dismantle any opponent with aggressive cricket.
Texas’s spin-heavy approach often troubled Seattle’s batsmen. The Chennai template of spin dominance translates effectively to American conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for information about Seattle Orcas’ ownership, home ground, players, or recent struggles? Here’s everything Indian cricket fans need to know.
Who is the owner of The Orcas cricket team?
Seattle Orcas boasts the most impressive Indian-American ownership group in MLC. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella leads investors including Soma Somasegar, Samir Bodas, Ashok Krishnamurthi, and Sanjay Parthasarathy.
The GMR Group, which owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL, partners with these tech leaders. This creates a direct connection between Delhi’s IPL franchise and Seattle’s MLC team, sharing resources and cricket expertise.
Where will Seattle Orcas play home matches?
The Orcas franchise plan to play at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, once construction completes around 2025. The proposed 6,000-seat venue sits perfectly in the tech corridor near Microsoft’s campus.
Currently, the team uses neutral venues while awaiting their home ground. The Redmond location ensures easy access for the area’s large Indian tech community, promising fantastic desi atmosphere for home matches.
Who is the coach of the Seattle Orcas team?
Pravin Amre serves as head coach after Matthew Mott’s mid-2025 removal. The former Delhi Capitals assistant coach brings deep knowledge of Indian talent development and IPL success strategies.
The coaching staff previously included Ross Taylor (batting) and Johan Botha (bowling). Amre’s connection to Delhi Capitals creates continuity between the IPL franchise and their MLC partner.
Why did Seattle’s cricket team perform so poorly in 2024?
Seattle Orcas’ dramatic decline from 2023 finalists to 2024 wooden spooners shocked everyone. Winning just one match showed complete breakdown in team dynamics and performance standards.
The batting unit’s repeated failures, despite talent like Quinton de Kock, highlighted deeper issues. Loss of confidence, poor team selection, and inability to handle pressure created a downward spiral familiar to struggling IPL franchises.
What are Seattle Orcas’ team colors?
The Indian tech-owned team sport colors that honor their Pacific Northwest identity while maintaining distinctiveness in MLC. The orca theme connects to Seattle’s maritime culture and whale-watching heritage.
The branding aims to build local connections while appealing to the international cricket community. Indian fans appreciate how the identity respects local culture while representing their ownership’s global vision.
