Celebrating cricket’s American Dream at State Department

Stakeholders gather to mark the Men’s T20 World Cup and the rise of professional cricket in the United States

By Adila Sebastian

On a momentous Wednesday evening, the Department of State became a hub of excitement and celebration as dozens of stakeholders from local, national, and international arenas gathered to honor the Men’s T20 World Cup and the burgeoning growth of professional cricket across the United States.

The event, “From Bouncers to Boundaries,” which officially showcased cricket’s rising prominence in America, was hosted by Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma, in collaboration with Sanjay Govil, the owner of the Major League Cricket (MLC) team Washington Freedom.

Among the attendees were International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Geoff Allardice; Satyan Gajwani, Vice Chairman of Times Internet and one of the founders of American Cricket Enterprises, which operates MLC; and former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Dammika Ranatunga.

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“It is truly a tremendous honor and privilege for the United States to be hosting the Men’s T20 World Cup for the very first time,” remarked Verma. “Having the U.S. host the cricket World Cup would have been seen as unimaginable 10 or 15 years ago, but today Major League Cricket is flourishing in the United States.”

Addressing the gathering, Govil reflected on his own personal journey, from spending his Auburn University days as a diehard football fan to becoming an MLC owner, as well as the remarkable journey of cricket in the U.S.

Citing the great run the United States has had in the World Cup so far – beating Canada and Pakistan and going toe-to-toe with India for most of the game – as evidence of how far cricket has come in this country, he thanked all stakeholders, including Allardice and the ICC for their support, which has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of MLC and the sport at large.

One of the evening’s highlights was Vidya Govil, the first lady of Washington Freedom, introducing a group of young and promising women cricketers — future stars of the sport. The young cricketers, representing the inclusive and diverse nature of cricket’s expansion in the U.S., received a warm reception.

Another memorable moment was Verma’s enthusiastic attempt at cricket shots against young local cricketers on the small carpet pitch laid at the venue. The participation of Verma, who served as a U.S. ambassador to India during the Obama administration, was a delightful sight, bringing smiles and cheers from the onlookers, and demonstrating the unifying power of sport.

The evening concluded with a buffet dinner and a vibrant bhangra performance. The rhythmic beats and colorful dance moves added an extra layer of joy and festivity to the occasion.