The Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season concluded on July 18 with the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) emerging champions. They beat Washington Freedom (WSF) in a thrilling final by a close margin of just one run.
Batting first, LAKR posted a fighting total of 164 on the board. WSF had the game and were on track to finish it. Unfortunately, it was a dramatic finish as they lost three wickets in the last over and fell agonisingly short, finishing at 163/9. In their very first final, LAKR clinched their maiden MLC Trophy.
Several players put up memorable performances throughout the tournament, including in the final, showcasing their skills and talent. Multiple IPL franchises would also be closely looking at these leagues and players.
That said, here are five players from MLC 2026 who scouts must have on their radar for the IPL 2027 season.
USA wicket-keeper batter Andries Gous was the leading run-getter of MLC 2026. Playing for WSF, he scored 547 runs from 13 games at an average of 45.58 and a strike rate of 165.25 with a century and three half-centuries. He even scored 40 runs in the final.
The right-hander has played for multiple franchises across leagues and carries immense experience in this format. He has played 136 T20s and has scored 3539 runs at an average of 32.46 and a strike rate of 141.95 with three hundreds and 23 fifties. IPL teams looking for some stability and a reliable option in the middle order could have their eyes on the USA batter.
Seattle Orcas (SEO) pacer Ottneil Baartman ended as the third-joint highest-wicket taker in MLC 2026. He bagged 18 wickets from nine matches at an average of 13.72 and an economy rate of 7.48, with best figures of 4/33.
The right-arm quick has played 21 T20Is for South Africa so far and has 29 wickets at an average of 20.37 and an economy rate of 8.11. Baartman has excellent numbers in T20 cricket overall, having featured in 124 games across various franchises, picking up 182 wickets at an average of 17.48 and an economy rate of 7.49.
21-year-old batting all-rounder Matthew Tromp impressed with his performances in the MLC 2026 season. The right-hander was among the highest run-getters for LAKR, playing a key role in their victorious campaign. He scored a 21-ball 39 in the final at a strike rate of 185.71.
Tromp ended the tournament with 309 runs from ten innings at an average of 34.33 and a strike rate of 155.27 with two half-centuries. Although Tromp does not bowl a lot, he is a right-arm medium pacer, giving teams an extra bowling option if required.
USA and LAKR pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk was among the highest wicket-takers in MLC 2026, playing an important role in his team's victory. He bagged 16 wickets from 12 games at an average of 25.56 and an economy rate of 9.47, returning figures of 2/50 in the final.
While the pacer is 37 years old, his performances for the USA have been impressive. He was the joint third-highest wicket-taker at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, bagging 13 wickets from just four matches at an average of 7.76 and an economy rate of 6.80. Shadley van Schalkwyk is a genuine wicket-taker with 149 scalps from 136 T20s at an average of 24.38 and an economy rate of 8.13.
WSF all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary played a vital role in his team's run till the MLC 2026 final. With the bat, he scored 164 runs from ten games and took nine wickets at an average of 28.88 and an economy rate of 9.62. In the final, he returned figures of 2/32, picking the key wickets of Andre Fletcher and Andre Russell.
In T20s overall, he has 1035 runs at a strike rate of 135.82 and 27 wickets at an economy rate of 7.79. Nikhil can be a viable pick for teams looking for an all-rounder who bowls leg-spin and can play the big shots as well.
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