Seattle Orcas: A franchise searching for calm amid the storm

Few teams enter the 2026 Major League Cricket season carrying more emotional baggage than the Seattle Orcas. Having won just four of their last 13 matches across the previous two seasons, the Orcas' struggles on the field have been evident for all to see.

Yet the challenges confronting the franchise extend far beyond cricket. In the lead-up to the tournament, the Orcas community was rocked by the passing of co-owners S. Somasegar and Samir Bodas. Somasegar's death in particular came as a profound shock, arriving just weeks before the season. As the public face of the ownership consortium, Somasegar had been instrumental in launching the franchise and was a driving force behind efforts to secure a dedicated cricket stadium in the greater Seattle area.

The losses have cast a sombre shadow over a franchise desperately seeking a fresh start. Last season was nothing short of a disaster both on and off the field. David Warner managed just 114 runs in six innings. Heinrich Klaasen, the franchise captain since inception, also struggled as the team's batting repeatedly misfired.

Seattle lost each of their first five matches, prompting management to press the panic button. Klaasen stepped down from the captaincy midway through the season under circumstances that were never fully explained. Simultaneously, Warner found himself dropped from the playing XI as Sikandar Raza inherited leadership duties.

A six-game winless streak was only avoided courtesy of Shimron Hetmyer's extraordinary last-ball six against MI New York—his breathtaking 97 rescuing Seattle from the embarrassment.

Given the turmoil of the past two years, it is hardly surprising that Seattle have used 35 different players across the competition's brief history. The constant churn reflects mounting frustration within management and a persistent search for the right formula. The decision to part ways with Shubham Ranjane now looks particularly costly—he emerged as one of the breakout performers of the 2025 season with Texas Super Kings before cementing his reputation with a match-winning half-century for USA against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.

Not a single overseas player from last season returns, ending Heinrich Klaasen's three-year association with the franchise—the face of the Orcas from day one.

The revamped squad will feature an all-Kiwi opening combination in Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson. Marcus Stoinis assumes responsibility as the side's premier all-rounder and designated powerhitter. South African duo Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi headline a new-look fast-bowling unit, while Australia's Tanveer Sangha fills the lone specialist overseas spin slot.

Despite overhauling their overseas contingent, the Orcas opted for continuity among their domestic players. Apart from the enforced absence of Aaron Jones following his suspension, Seattle retained the bulk of their local core. The notable casualty was former USA captain Steven Taylor.

This time around, Seattle appeared to prioritise proven pedigree over untapped potential. One of their smartest acquisitions was former West Indies international Raymon Reifer, who now qualifies as a domestic player. The Orcas also welcomed back Shehan Jayasuriya, fresh off his maiden international century for USA.

The remainder of the domestic core will once again be built around USA regulars Harmeet Singh, Shayan Jahangir and Jessy Singh. Jahangir impressed during the T20 World Cup with a fluent forty against Pakistan but is yet to truly enjoy a breakout MLC campaign. After an opportunity with the Delhi Capitals' ILT20 affiliate, where he became a mainstay and headlined his stint with a magnificent 99, Seattle will hope that success translates into the breakthrough MLC season that has thus far eluded him.