‘Working with Malinga was probably the highlight’ - MLC star Rushil Ugarkar shares experience of playing franchise cricket

21-year-old Rushil Ugarkar has made quite the name for himself in recent times. Bowling against the likes of Hanuma Vihari in the nets in the NCA at just 17 years old revealed that he was not as quick as he would have liked to be. However, many years after that, he has made his way into the MLC (Major League Cricket).

Playing for MI New York in the MLC, Ugarkar managed to regularly clock in speeds of early 130s in the two games he featured for his side in the season. It is worth noting that the youngster had been suffering from food poisoning in the lead up to the tournament and was eight pounds lighter when he made his MLC debut.

However, overcoming his issues, the bowler managed to deliver a brilliant spell. He recently came forward and reflected on his experience of playing franchise cricket.

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Ugarkar made his way into MI New York after he was drafted in as the franchise’s rookie pick. Making his way into the side, the 21-year-old found himself in the company of the biggest bowlers in world cricket like Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje.

He talked about how former Sri Lanka cricketer Lasith Malinga helped him find his way, and working with him was the highlight of his time with MI New York (MINY). 

“Working with Malinga was probably the highlight. Out of all, I think he had taught me so many things which I didn't know much about cricket. We worked with the video analyst as well. There were so many match-ups that they had ready. So for someone like Faf, he likes to step out a lot. He kind of goes straight towards you. So I was asked to bowl at the wide line if I saw him step out. So if he slashes, it would balloon to the fielder placed there. Or even a slower ball,” Ugarkar was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Back in his younger days, Ugarkar was bench mates with the USA’s Sanjay Krishnamurthy at the Ebenezer school in Bengaluru. He failed to make it big in India, and after not playing for the BCCI age group tournaments, he followed Krishnamurthy to the USA and is currently trying to make it big in the 2024 Minor League Cricket season.