Who Is Rushil Ugarkar? 5 Interesting Facts About Him

In the MLC 2025 Final, 22-year-old Rushil Ugarkar played a decisive role for MI New York by defending 12 runs in the final over against Washington Freedom.

Facing pressure from established internationals Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips, Ugarkar held his composure and ensured a five-run win, securing MINY’s second title. Born in Missouri, Ugarkar’s performance stood out in a match filled with senior stars.

The Final Showdown

MI New York faced Washington Freedom in the 2025 MLC Final, with both teams fielding experienced international players. Washington, backed by Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Maxwell, and Glenn Phillips, entered as slight favourites, while MI relied on Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, and their bowling unit.

Washington needed 12 runs off the last over. Despite Phillips being set and Maxwell just arriving at the crease, Rushil Ugarkar delivered a composed final over, conceding only six runs and dismissing Maxwell. MI New York won the match by five runs.

Who is Rushil Ugarkar?

Rushil Ugarkar was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and developed as a cricketer within the USA system. While his name reflects Indian heritage, he is a homegrown American player. Born on June 30, 2003, Ugarkar turned 22 just two weeks before delivering the match-deciding final over in the MLC 2025 Final.

In the 2024 MLC season, Rushil Ugarkar played two matches without taking a wicket, leading to questions about his selection. MI New York retained him for the 2025 season, and he responded with seven wickets across three knockout games. His shift from a fringe player to a reliable death-overs bowler was a key factor in the team’s title win.

5 interesting facts about Rushil Ugarkar

1. Missouri-Born, American-Grown: Rushil Ugarkar was born in St. Louis, Missouri, not in India, as some fans might assume based on his name. Though his roots trace back to Indian heritage, he’s a product of the U.S. cricket system. He turned 22 on June 30, just days before his standout performance in the MLC final.

2. Trusted Despite Early Setbacks: Rushil made his Major League Cricket debut in 2024 but didn’t pick up a single wicket in two matches. Despite this, MI New York kept faith in him — a decision that proved crucial when he dismissed both Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra in the 2025 final.

3. Knockout Stage Breakthrough: Rushil came alive in the 2025 playoffs, collecting seven wickets across three knockout matches. He delivered a key final over in the championship game and took two wickets. His earlier matches saw him remove names like Marcus Stoinis, Liam Plunkett, and Hammad Azam — stamping his authority as a death-overs asset.

4. Training With MI During IPL 2024: Before he became a known name in MLC, Rushil was invited to train with the Mumbai Indians in India during IPL 2024. He practiced with top-level pros and even traveled with the squad for away fixtures, gaining exposure and experience at the elite level.

5. Starting Out in Bengaluru: Although he was born in Missouri, Rushil kickstarted his cricket journey in Bengaluru at the National Cricket Academy. After training there for a few years, he returned to the U.S. and joined Minor League Cricket in 2021 — eventually finding a spot in MI New York’s title-winning squad.

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