In a major development for cricket in the United States, the iconic Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar has become a part of the ownership group of the National Cricket League (NCL), a move poised to accelerate the sport’s growth in the country.
The announcement was made by the NCL, and Tendulkar’s involvement is seen as a significant boost to cricket’s future in the U.S.
Sachin Tendulkar said after the NCL announced that the batting legend has joined them, “Cricket has been my life’s greatest journey and I am pleased to join the National Cricket League at such an exciting time for the sport in the US. The NCL’s vision is to create a platform for world-class cricket while inspiring a new generation of fans to resonate with me. I look forward to being part of this new initiative and witnessing the growth of cricket in the US first-hand.”
Arun Agarwal, Chairman of the NCL, added, “We are incredibly excited to welcome Sachin Tendulkar to the National Cricket League family. His influence in cricket is comparable to what Pele does in soccer or Babe Ruth in baseball. Sachin’s commitment to the game, along with his global appeal, will be key as we introduce cricket to new audiences in America. His involvement highlights the NCL’s goal to inspire future generations and establish cricket as a major sport in the US.”
Based in Dallas, the NCL has introduced an innovative format called Sixty Strikes, designed to offer a fast-paced and engaging version of the game. This season sees cricket legends including Sunil Gavaskar, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanath Jayasuriya, Moin Khan and Blair Franklin mentoring the next generation of players. The league also features top international stars like Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan, Robin Uthappa, Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Lynn, Angelo Mathews, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Mohammad Nabi and Johnson Charles, among many others.
The NCL’s inaugural tournament will culminate with Tendulkar presenting the championship trophy to the winning team, marking a historic milestone in the sport’s journey in the United States. As cricket gains traction in new markets, Tendulkar’s involvement signals a promising future for the sport in the American landscape.
