Indian-Origin Batter Sanjay Krishnamurthi Steals Show in MLC Opener at Oakland Coliseum

The third edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) began at the Oakland Coliseum in California with a match between San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom.

While the game featured several international stars, it was Sanjay Krishnamurthi, a cricketer of Indian origin, who stole the spotlight.

The 22-year-old smashed 36 runs off just 20 balls, lighting up the contest with his explosive batting. Batting at number four after Jake Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal, Krishnamurthi took some time to settle in but found his rhythm when facing Rachin Ravindra.

He launched into the New Zealand spinner, striking four consecutive sixes, and instantly grabbed the attention of cricket fans.

Roots in Bengaluru

Sanjay Krishnamurthi was born in Arizona, USA, but his cricketing journey began in Bengaluru, where his family relocated in 2011. Like many Indian children, he aspired to play cricket for the national team.

He enrolled in a cricket academy, played zonal matches, and represented Karnataka at the U16 level. However, as an American citizen and OCI cardholder, his eligibility to play for the state eventually came into question.

Turning Point with MLC

Given the fierce competition in Indian cricket and restrictions for OCI cardholders, Krishnamurthi chose to explore opportunities elsewhere. In 2019, he received a call-up for MLC trials, which would prove to be a turning point.

“From the moment I started playing cricket in India, the goal was to play for India. But I think I was also realistic that it could happen. But I can’t bank on anything happening.

Because there are so many other players. Another thing is I’m an OCI cardholder. I’m not an Indian citizen. After I played for Karnataka, they made the rule that OCI cardholders can’t play for the state,” he said in an interview with The Times of India.

“To play for India, I’d have to completely give up my US citizenship, and it would be a very long process,” he explained.

COVID-19 and Career Breakthrough

Krishnamurthi had intended to stay in the US for just three weeks to attend a cricket camp in Houston after one in Mumbai. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 extended his stay.

In 2021, he made his ODI debut for the USA during a tri-series in Oman, stepping in after Aaron Jones suffered an injury.

USA Career and MLC Progress

Since then, Krishnamurthi has featured in 14 ODIs and 9 T20Is for the USA, scoring 255 and 90 runs respectively. In MLC, including the recent match in California, he has played 10 games and accumulated 205 runs at a strike rate of 142.36, including one half-century.

His powerful strokeplay and strength on the leg side make him a valuable asset, especially evident in his domination of Ravindra with four consecutive sixes, all directed towards the long-on and deep mid-wicket regions.

Partnership with Finn Allen

In the opening MLC 2025 match, Krishnamurthi walked in during the final over of the powerplay. He began cautiously before launching his attack. His partnership with Finn Allen yielded 88 runs from just 37 balls.

Allen, who scored 151 off 51 deliveries with 19 sixes, powered San Francisco to 269/5 in 20 overs.

Despite a strong start, Washington Freedom were bowled out for 146 in 13.1 overs, handing San Francisco a massive 123-run win. While Allen’s record-breaking innings drew praise, Krishnamurthi’s contribution also stood out.

Early Dreams and Realities

Krishnamurthi’s cricketing ambitions initially revolved around representing India. However, he soon recognised the challenges: stiff competition and the limitation of his OCI status.

“Yeah, from the moment I started playing cricket in India, the goal was to play for India. But I think I was also realistic. That it could happen. But I can’t bank on anything happening.

Because there are so many other players. And if it doesn’t happen, what is my life going to look like? And yet, to make it happen, you have to throw everything at it, you can’t go in half-heartedly,” he stated.

Juggling Academics and Cricket

Currently, Krishnamurthi is a computer science student at San Jose University in San Francisco.

He balances academics with cricket, and after impressive ODI performances for the USA, his professors offered flexibility in his coursework. In 2024, he secured an MLC contract with San Francisco Unicorns.

“Last season was my first time actually playing, and it was an incredible experience, especially to be alongside players such as Cummins, who is the Australian captain and one of the best players in the world right now.

It was an opportunity for me to test myself against these guys, and until that point, I didn’t know quite where I stood at the highest level. But after last season, it gave me a lot of confidence,” he reflected.