Harmeet Singh Baddhan Bio
Harmeet Singh Baddhan (born September 7, 1992) is an Indian-American cricketer who represents the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket and the United States national cricket team in international competition. A slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he bats left-handed and has built his career around disciplined spin bowling and useful lower-order runs. He is the first player ever drafted into Major League Cricket, having been selected first overall by the Seattle Orcas in the league’s inaugural draft.
Early Life and Background
Harmeet Singh Baddhan was born on September 7, 1992, in Bombay, India, and grew up in one of the world’s most competitive cricket environments. From a young age, he gravitated toward spin bowling, developing the classical left-arm orthodox style that has since become his trademark. His upbringing in Mumbai, a city with a deep club and maidan cricket culture, gave him early access to competitive fixtures and quality coaching, helping him refine his craft.
He progressed through Mumbai’s age-group system and represented India at the under-19 level, eventually being named to the India Under-19 squad for the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. That selection marked him as one of the most promising young spinners in Indian domestic cricket. His trajectory, however, took an unexpected turn when he left India to pursue opportunities abroad, citing frustration with selection politics in Indian cricket.
Path to Cricket
Harmeet’s rise through India’s domestic ranks began with appearances for Mumbai, followed by a move to Tripura in search of greater playing opportunities. While at Tripura, he emerged as the team’s leading wicket-taker in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, claiming thirteen dismissals in eight matches, a performance that reaffirmed his quality as a frontline spinner. He also became part of the Rajasthan Royals squad during the 2013 Indian Premier League season, gaining exposure to franchise cricket at the highest domestic level.
After relocating to the United States in August 2021, Harmeet joined the Seattle Thunderbolts in Minor League Cricket, where he served as captain and quickly established himself as a senior figure. His performances in American domestic cricket, combined with residency qualification, opened the door to international selection for the United States. By the time Major League Cricket launched, he had become a recognizable name in the U.S. cricket landscape, and the Seattle Orcas selected him as the league’s first-ever draft pick.
Harmeet Singh Baddhan Career
Early Career (2013–2020)
Harmeet’s senior career began with stints in Indian domestic cricket for Mumbai and Tripura, where he built a reputation as a reliable wicket-taking spinner. His 2013 Indian Premier League appearance with the Rajasthan Royals was his first major franchise exposure, even though it came during a turbulent period for the franchise. Over the following seasons, he continued to develop in India’s domestic circuit, highlighted by his standout Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign in 2018–19.
Despite his progress, Harmeet grew dissatisfied with his pathway in Indian cricket. Reports indicate that frustration with selection politics influenced his decision to explore opportunities overseas. This period shaped his determination to succeed internationally, regardless of the country he represented, and ultimately prepared him for the transition to American cricket.
United States National Team Breakthrough (2024–2025)
Harmeet made his Twenty20 International debut for the United States on April 7, 2024, against Canada, becoming one of the team’s key spin options. He followed that up with his One Day International debut on August 13, 2024, also against Canada, marking his entry into the 50-over format. Across formats, he has been a consistent wicket-taker, with 31 wickets in 29 T20I matches and 31 wickets in 22 ODI matches at averages of 23.09 and 24.25, respectively.
His best ODI bowling performance of 6/27 demonstrated his match-winning potential with the ball, while he has also contributed useful runs lower down the order, including a top ODI score of 59. In January 2026, he was named in USA’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he notably dismissed Indian stars Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. His role within the squad has continued to grow, with a recent T20I appearance on February 15, 2025, against Namibia and an ODI outing on November 3, 2025, against the UAE.
Seattle Orcas and Franchise Era (2021–Present)
After captaining the Seattle Thunderbolts in Minor League Cricket from 2021 to 2023, Harmeet briefly represented the Atlanta Riders in 2023 before being selected first overall by the Seattle Orcas in the Major League Cricket draft, becoming the first player ever drafted into the league. With the Orcas, he has featured as a frontline spinner, contributing in both powerplay and middle overs. His presence has been central to the franchise’s identity since its founding.
Beyond Major League Cricket, Harmeet has expanded his franchise portfolio, playing for the Dallas Xforia Giants from 2024 onward, the Sudurpaschim Royals in 2024, and the Sharjah Warriorz in 2025. These international T20 league stints have broadened his experience across conditions and against varied opposition. His consistency across leagues has reinforced his reputation as one of the leading Associate-circuit spinners of his generation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harmeet’s most historic milestone came when he was selected as the first overall pick in the Major League Cricket draft by the Seattle Orcas, becoming the first player ever drafted to a team in the competition. His standout ODI bowling figure of 6/27 remains a career-defining performance. He has also represented India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2012, played in the 2013 Indian Premier League, and was named in USA’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Harmeet Singh Baddhan Career Wins
Harmeet Singh Baddhan’s career has been defined less by trophy hauls and more by consistent wicket-taking contributions across formats and leagues. From leading Tripura’s wicket charts in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy to becoming the first-ever Major League Cricket draft pick, his milestones reflect sustained excellence. His T20I record of 31 wickets in 29 matches and ODI record of 31 wickets in 22 matches underscore his reliability as a strike bowler.
United States National Team Highlights
In Twenty20 Internationals, Harmeet has been a dependable wicket-taking option, with his best figures of 4/18, and he continues to feature regularly for the United States, including a recent appearance on February 15, 2025, against Namibia. In One Day Internationals, his 6/27 against an unnamed opponent stands as his standout performance, and he has also chipped in with the bat, scoring two half-centuries. He was named in USA’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he took the wickets of high-profile Indian players.
Harmeet Singh Baddhan Family
Personal Life
Harmeet Singh Baddhan resides in the United States, where he has built his professional career since relocating from Mumbai in 2021. He maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram and Twitter, where he shares updates from his cricketing journey. He was born in Bombay, India, and identifies as Indian-American, having qualified to represent the United States through residency.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Harmeet Singh Baddhan continue his dual role as a key bowler for both the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket and the United States national team. In the international calendar, he featured in a T20I against Namibia on February 15, 2025, and an ODI against the UAE on November 3, 2025, adding to his growing international cap count. His franchise commitments have also expanded, with stints at the Sharjah Warriorz in 2025 alongside his Seattle Orcas duties.
Across the season, he has continued to deliver as a frontline spinner, providing control in the middle overs and striking at key moments. His experience across multiple T20 leagues, including Major League Cricket and the Sharjah Warriorz campaign, has helped him adapt to varied conditions. With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, the 2025 season has served as a vital preparation phase.
Harmeet enters the latter part of the year with strong form, an established place in USA’s T20I setup, and a leadership role within the Seattle Orcas franchise. His combination of experience, craft, and big-match temperament makes him a central figure in the United States’ cricketing ambitions heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond.
