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    STUMP VISION                                                              JULY 03, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 46

                 Yellow in Texas, Chennai in Spirit:

                         The Super Kings’ American

                                                Dream Rolls On

                    From the shores of Chennai to the heart of Texas, the roar of the Super Kings

                                                       is now echoing across America

            ARCHAN MEHTA

                     hen Major League Cricket
                     was launched in the Unit-
            Wed States, several franchis-
            es arrived with ambition. The Texas
            Super Kings arrived with something
            more valuable identity. Backed by
            the Chennai Super Kings’ ownership
            group and carrying the familiar yel-
            low colours, lion emblem and win-
            ning culture, the Texas Super Kings
            quickly became one of the league’s
            most recognizable teams. More than
            just a franchise, they became an ex-
            tension of the CSK legacy, bringing
            a proven cricket model to a rapidly
            growing American market.
                The connection with Chennai
            is impossible to miss. From owner-
            ship links through India Cements to
            the presence of head coach Stephen
            Fleming, the Texas Super Kings have
            embraced the same philosophy that
            made CSK one of the most success-
            ful teams in franchise cricket. The
            appointment of Faf du Plessis as cap-  From ownership links through India Cements to the presence of head coach Stephen Fleming, the Texas Super Kings have embraced the same
            tain further strengthened that bond.
            Alongside former CSK stars such                    philosophy that made CSK one of the most successful teams in franchise cricket (ANI file photo)
            as  Dwayne  Bravo,  Devon  Conway,
            Mitchell Santner and Ambati Rayudu   have qualified for the playoffs every   and experience. For 2026, Texas Su-  coaches, fan interactions, autographs,
            in the early years, the franchise built   season. While the elusive champi-  per Kings have doubled down on con-  live interviews and giveaways, the event
            a familiar foundation while introduc-  onship has remained out of reach,   tinuity while adding fresh firepower.   reflects TSK’s ambition to grow Major
            ing American fans to elite T20 cricket.  the franchise has  established itself   The arrivals of Rilee Rossouw, Wi-  League Cricket’s presence and build a
                Their home, the Grand Prairie   as one of MLC’s strongest teams. A   aan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Hardus   strong West Coast supporter base.
            Stadium in Texas, has become a sym-  second-place finish in their inaugural   Viljoen  and  Keshav  Maharaj  have   They are not merely chasing a
            bol of cricket’s growth in the United   season was followed by another play-  strengthened an already experienced   trophy; they are helping shape the
            States. Transformed from a former   off run in 2024, before a seven-win   squad, while domestic talents like   future of the sport in a new market.
            baseball  venue  into  a  dedicated   campaign in 2025 reinforced their   Smit Patel, Saiteja Mukkamalla and   With an experienced squad, a proven
            cricket stadium, it hosted the inaugu-  reputation as perennial contenders.   Shubham Ranjane continue to form   coaching setup and a loyal fan base,
            ral MLC season in 2023 and has since   Few teams have matched their ability   an important local core.  the ingredients for a title-winning
            become a gathering point for fans   to remain competitive year after year.  The franchise’s ambitions, how-  season are firmly in place.
            across the country. Packed crowds,    Much of that success has been   ever, extend beyond wins and losses.   The Texas Super Kings will start
            modern  facilities  and  high-profile   built around the leadership of Faf du   Texas Super Kings are also expand-  their MLC 2026 tournament on Jun
            matches have turned the venue into   Plessis. The South African veteran   ing their footprint beyond Texas.   18 at the Grand Prairie Stadium
            a showcase for the sport’s expanding   has  been  the  face  of  the  franchise,   On June 25, the franchise will   against the Seattle Orcas. The Super
            footprint in North America.       leading both with the bat and in the   bring its fan engagement drive to the   Kings may wear Texas on their jer-
                On the field, Texas Super Kings   field.  Around  him,  players  such  as   Bay Area through a special Fanfest   sey, but their greatest victory could
            have been a model of consistency.   Mitchell Santner, Daniel Sams and   hosted by Radio Zindagi in Sunnyvale.   be turning America’s cricket dream
            Since joining the league in 2023, they   Akeal Hosein have provided balance   Featuring players like  Faf Duplessis,     into reality.

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