Major League Cricket: Players Draft Format, TV Channel, Live Streaming of MLC T20 Draft, India Timings

Houston (Texas), March 19: USA Cricket is set to foray into the franchise-based T20 Cricket League with its flagship tournament titled Major League Cricket (MLC). Taking a giant stride in that direction, the MLC is organising its first-ever players' draft on Sunday (March 19) in Houston.

The first-ever draft will be held at the Space Center Houston, located at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Four Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have also bought stakes in the franchise-based league.

Where to watch MLC T20 Draft?

As the draft is happening in the USA, its live coverage will be available in India on Monday (March 20).

Global Broadcast: Fans will also be able to follow the draft live via a special show to be broadcast globally on the MLC Network YouTube channel and ESPN Cricinfo homepage.

Pakistan: In Pakistan it will be broadcasted on A Sports TV.

IPL franchises CSK, MI, DC, KKR buy teams in Major League Cricket T20 in USA - Cities, Other Details

Where to watch MLC T20 Draft in India?

Cricket fans in India can catch the MLC draft on Sports18 - 1 on live television, with JioCinema the digital home for the show.

When will the MLC T20 Draft begin in India Time?

The draft selections will begin at 6 am IST and cricket fans in India can catch all the action from the draft early morning.

IPL Teams in MLC T20:

Prime Indian Premier League team owners have invested in or partnered with Major League Cricket teams. Kolkata Knight Riders have invested in the Los Angeles franchise. Chennai Super Kings have bought stakes in the Texas team while the Delhi Capitals franchise will be based out of Seattle.

Mumbai Indians have invested in New York franchise.

MLC T20 Draft First Picks

Following a randomised order draw held on March 13 at the Westin Oaks Houston in front of team representatives, the Seattle Orcas hold the first pick for the Domestic Player Draft.

The Washington Freedom picks second followed by the New York franchise, the San Francisco Unicorns, the Los Angeles Knight Riders and the Texas MLC Team (to be named later). Teams will select nine domestic players to form the backbone of their rosters.

Format of MLC T20 Draft

The draft will be conducted in a "snake order" format, meaning the team that picks last in the first round will get the first pick in the second round. The draft will last nine rounds. No trading of picks is allowed. Each team has three minutes to make their selections in rounds one to five and two minutes in rounds six to nine.

The ninth round will consist of a rookie player selection (Under-23). If a U-23 player is selected by a team in rounds one to eight, that team must still select a U-23 player in the ninth round.

Players to be included from Minor League Cricket

Following the conclusion of the first half of the Minor League Cricket (MiLC) season, a further round of the draft will take place in early July allowing teams to select one additional player based on performances throughout the MiLC season.

That player will be added to the full team roster. An additional two U-23 players serving in development roles for each squad will also be selected to provide further opportunities for young players to rub shoulders with some of the world's best T20 cricketers and coaching staff.

MLC T20 2023 Opening Game

The league's historic opening match will take place on July 13, 2023, at the newly-constructed Major League Cricket venue, Grand Prairie Stadium, in Grand Prairie, Texas. The 2023 season will feature 19 matches to be played over 18 days, building up to the first-ever MLC championship final to take place on July 30, 2023.