Rushil Ugarkar Bio
Rushil Jayraj Ugarkar (born June 30, 2003) is an American cricketer who represents MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC). A right-arm fast-medium bowling all-rounder, he bats right-handed and has emerged as one of the promising young fast-bowling talents in the United States domestic setup. He made his One Day International debut for the United States in October 2025, marking a rapid rise from junior domestic cricket to the international stage within just a few seasons.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Ugarkar moved to India with his family during his childhood, where he first developed his love for the game. After returning to the United States following the COVID-19 pandemic, he committed himself to earning a place in American cricket, a decision that has carried him through Minor League Cricket, Major League Cricket, and eventually into the senior national side.
Early Life and Background
Rushil Jayraj Ugarkar was born on June 30, 2003, in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. During his early years, his family relocated to Bengaluru, India, where he attended Ebenezer International School. The move introduced him to a cricket culture that is deeply embedded in everyday life in India, and it was at his school and in local academy sessions that he first picked up the sport seriously.
While in Bengaluru, Ugarkar began attending National Cricket Academy (NCA) training sessions, refining his skills as a young fast bowler. It was during this period that he trained alongside fellow American cricketer Sanjay Krishnamurthi, a partnership that would later shape both of their careers as they pursued a shared goal of representing the United States at the highest level.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted training and schooling around the world, Ugarkar’s family made the decision to return to the United States. The relocation, although sudden, sharpened his ambition, and he and Krishnamurthi resolved to build careers in American cricket and aim for selection in the national team.
Path to Cricket
Upon returning to the United States, Ugarkar slotted into the country’s growing domestic pipeline, beginning with Minor League Cricket, the developmental feeder competition for Major League Cricket. In 2021, he featured for the Silicon Valley Strikers, gaining his first exposure to organized American franchise cricket and learning the demands of senior-level competition at a young age.
His progression continued in 2023, when he was selected by the Dallas Mustangs for that season’s Minor League Cricket campaign. Performing consistently with the ball during the tournament, he caught the attention of Major League Cricket franchises, ultimately earning a place as an under-21 player on the MI New York roster ahead of the 2024 season.
Ugarkar’s pathway reflects the modern American cricket story: a childhood shaped in India, sharpened academy training, and a return home that opened doors to franchise cricket. Each step, from the Silicon Valley Strikers to the Dallas Mustangs and finally to MI New York, helped him build the experience and visibility needed to push toward international selection.
Rushil Ugarkar Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Ugarkar’s senior career began in 2021 with a short stint at the Silicon Valley Strikers in Minor League Cricket. Although brief, the season gave him valuable match experience against seasoned domestic players and helped him adjust to the pace and structure of American franchise cricket. Bowling right-arm fast medium, he focused on building accuracy and pace, two attributes that would become central to his game.
In 2023, he joined the Dallas Mustangs for that year’s Minor League Cricket season. His performances during the tournament were strong enough to draw the attention of Major League Cricket scouts, and he was subsequently signed by MI New York as part of their developmental squad, signaling that his trajectory was firmly upward.
Major League Cricket Breakthrough (2024–Present)
Ugarkar made his Major League Cricket debut in 2024 with MI New York, included in the squad as a U21 player. Although his role was initially limited, he used the opportunity to train alongside more experienced international bowlers and to understand the tactical demands of T20 cricket at the highest franchise level in the United States.
Retained by MI New York for the 2025 season, Ugarkar took on a larger role within the team’s bowling attack. Bowling with increased pace and confidence, he became a regular wicket-taking option for the franchise, contributing key breakthroughs during the campaign and reinforcing his reputation as a rising fast-bowling prospect in American cricket.
MI New York Era (2024–Present)
Since joining MI New York, Ugarkar has continued to develop into a key part of the franchise’s long-term bowling plans. The team, one of the most established brands in Major League Cricket, has provided him with a high-profile platform on which to showcase his skills against international stars. His retention for 2025 reflected the franchise’s confidence in his progression.
During the 2025 MLC season, Ugarkar’s increased role translated into more overs and more wickets, with the young fast bowler delivering several match-defining spells. The experience of operating in pressure situations at the top of the order has accelerated his development and prepared him for the step up to international cricket that followed later that year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ugarkar is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who generates his pace through a smooth, rhythmic run-up and a strong, repeatable action. He relies on accuracy and subtle variations in pace and length, rather than express speed, and his ability to bowl tight lines in the powerplay and at the death has made him a reliable option for his captains. He is also a competent right-handed lower-order batter, capable of contributing useful runs when required.
Notable Events and Milestones
A standout moment in Ugarkar’s young career came in October 2025, when he was handed his senior international debut for the United States in One Day International cricket. He featured against Nepal on October 26, 2025, and followed it up with a second appearance against the United Arab Emirates on October 28, 2025, marking his arrival on the international stage in quick succession.
Rushil Ugarkar Career Wins
Although still in the early stages of his career, Rushil Jayraj Ugarkar has collected notable performances across Minor League Cricket, Major League Cricket, and international cricket. His wicket-taking ability with the new ball and at the death has been a consistent feature of his game, and he has regularly contributed breakthroughs in high-pressure moments for his franchises.
Major League Cricket Highlights
In Major League Cricket, Ugarkar has represented MI New York since 2024, with his role expanding significantly in 2025. Across Twenty20 competition, he has built a record of 10 matches, 190 balls bowled, 11 wickets, a bowling average of 24.45, and a best bowling return of 3/19. These figures underline his value as a wicket-taking fast bowler in the franchise format.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to his MLC career, Ugarkar featured in Minor League Cricket for the Silicon Valley Strikers in 2021 and the Dallas Mustangs in 2023. His spell with the Dallas Mustangs proved particularly important, as his performances there directly led to his selection by MI New York and set the foundation for his subsequent rise into the national team setup.
Rushil Ugarkar Family
Family Background and Cricket Lineage
Rushil Jayraj Ugarkar was raised in a family that supported an international upbringing, with early years spent in the United States before relocating to India and then returning home. His time alongside fellow American cricketer Sanjay Krishnamurthi during his Bengaluru school years created a close training partnership that has been a defining feature of his development pathway.
Personal Life
Ugarkar maintains an active presence on social media, where he is reachable on X at @rushil_ugarkar and on Instagram at @rushil_ugarkar. Focused on his cricket career at a young age, he continues to balance his commitments with MI New York in Major League Cricket and his growing role in the senior United States national team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakthrough year for Rushil Jayraj Ugarkar. Retained by MI New York for the Major League Cricket campaign, he took on a much larger role within the team’s bowling attack, bowling with greater pace and confidence and regularly delivering wickets in crucial phases of innings. His growth within the franchise setup was matched by his elevation to the senior national side later in the year.
On the international stage, Ugarkar made his One Day International debut for the United States on October 26, 2025, against Nepal, becoming one of the youngest fast bowlers to represent the country in the format. He followed that appearance with a second ODI against the United Arab Emirates on October 28, 2025, completing a whirlwind week that confirmed his place in the national team’s plans.
Looking ahead, Ugarkar’s combination of franchise exposure with MI New York and early international experience positions him as a central figure in the United States’ fast-bowling future. With continued development and consistent performances, he is expected to remain a key part of both his franchise and his country’s white-ball plans in the seasons to come.