The Cognizant MLC 2026 starts June 18, and the #FreedomExpress is going in stronger, sharper, and ready.

To get things rolling, we are excited to welcome back Steve Smith in Washington colors. A fan-favorite in cricket, a patron of record-breaking moments, and an MLC-winning skipper, Smudge will lead us in our latest campaign this summer.

Alongside Smith, expect MAX-imum entertainment from the unpredictable and exciting game-changer in Glenn Maxwell. The stylish all-rounder stepped into captaincy duties last season and also happens to be our first-ever centurion.

Proteas star Marco Jansen returns to the all-rounders corner that includes Maxi, Mitchell Owen, Jack Edwards, Rachin Ravindra and new signing Nikhil Chaudhary. As masters of balancing power-hitting and wicket-taking all around the world, rest assured that the #FreedomExpress will remain steady come what may. With Rachin unavailable for the initial games, his compatriot Mark Chapman will fill in. If you know Chappie, you know the fireworks are guaranteed.

Lockie Ferguson, Ben Dwarshuis, and the returning Marco Jansen lead the overseas bowling attack, having showcased the knack to take early wickets and turn matches in our favor when needed. The spin unit, featuring Amila Aponso, Maxwell, Rachin, Nikhil and Yasir Mohammad, are capable of creating “WOW” moments in the middle overs.

But what stands out overall is our domestic pool. Saurabh Netravalkar, a trailblazer of cricket in the States, leads our wickets’ charts and is one who always stands toe-to-toe with the tournament’s elite pacers. He is part of our homegrown bowling contingent that includes Aponso, Ian Holland, Abhishek Paradkar, Asif Mehmood and Yasir.

Andries Gous and Sri Lanka-born Lahiru Milantha are our wicketkeeper-batters. Besides injecting runs in the middle, they are quick with their footwork to execute stump-outs or script important catches off the willow of opposition batters.

Mukhtar Ahmed brings calmness and skill to our batting lineup when needed. And lastly, we have Obus Pienaar. Remember his 23 off 16 against the LA Knight Riders last year? That tells you that tough times call, Pienaar always answers.

Under the watchful eyes of head coach Ricky Ponting, general manager Michael Klinger and the assistant coaches in James Hopes and Shawn Bradstreet, the #FreedomExpress is all set to make every ball count, every partnership matter, and every match a statement.

Having said that, our MLC 2026 campaign begins with a back-to-back against Seattle Orcas (Friday, June 19) and defending champions MI New York on Saturday, June 20 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

We then travel to California to play three regular-season games at the Oakland Coliseum and two at Fairplex, Pomona.

We wrap up our league schedule with a return to Dallas to face LAKR (July 9), Texas Super Kings (June 11), and MINY (June 12).

Here is how our MLC 2026 schedule looks.