Monank Patel – the reigning skipper of the USA national side – is the country’s highest ODI run-scorer with 1370 runs to his name at an average of nearly 40. A Gujarat under-16 and under-18 player, Monank made the move to New Jersey in 2016. He first made his mark in the 2018-19 ICC World T20 Americas Qualifier, finishing as the leading run-scorer in tournament, followed by a similar feat in the regional Super50 tournament in the 2019 and the 2020 editions. 

His 29-ball 44 against Washington Freedom in a must-win game to get MI New York into the playoffs, or his blazing fifty for USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 in their epic win over Pakistan, are a solid testament to that calm head on those shoulders. His experience of the local conditions, leadership credentials, and his ability to play different roles with the bat make Monank a major cog in our wheel.