By Arjun 
As the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season approaches, the Seattle Orcas find themselves battling more than just poor form. The franchise enters the new campaign carrying the weight of personal loss, unanswered questions, and the urgent need to rebuild after a disappointing year.
The Orcas have struggled to establish consistency in recent seasons, winning only four of their last 13 matches. However, the events leading up to this year’s tournament have made the challenge even more difficult. The franchise community was deeply affected by the deaths of co-owners S. Somasegar and Samir Bodas, two influential figures who played key roles in shaping the team’s vision.
Somasegar’s passing was particularly devastating. As one of the driving forces behind the Orcas’ establishment, he was instrumental in promoting cricket in the Seattle region and had been actively involved in efforts to develop a dedicated stadium for the sport. His loss has left a significant emotional void within the organization.
The Orcas had a nightmarish campaign last season on the field. Australian cricketing great David Warner’s signing had sparked excitement and belief, locally it was touted that his experience would turn the entire campaign around. Instead, the veteran batsman had a lean time in runs, scoring only 114 in six innings as he was part of one of his least productive franchise tournaments.
Meanwhile, their captain Heinrich Klaasen didn’t deliver the big-match performances that were expected and Seattle’s batting unit just couldn’t cope with pressure time after time. The team endured a bad start, with five straight losses leading to big decisions at the top.
Read More: Joe Root Named Interim England Captain as Stokes and Atkinson
But in an unusual turn of events, Klaasen relinquished the role halfway through the season although this was never explained in public. As the franchise searched for answers Warner was later excluded from the playing XI and Sikandar Raza assumed leadership roles.
Shimron Hetmyer’s heroics meant that Seattle would escape going totally winless. There was also one of the few highlights not only for him but for the season itself in his knock of a last-ball six to reclaim victory from an almost impossible position against MI New York where he scored an unbeaten 97.
With a new campaign approaching, the Seattle Orcas will hope to motive through adversity and finally find direction.