For a career that has seemed like a roller coaster, Harmeet Singh is finding his way in United States Cricket.

Singh has played cricket in the Seattle area since the pandemic. A former Indian star, Singh was essentially put on a blacklist when his name was put in a report about match fixing over 10 years ago.

Since then, he’s taken his time playing Minor League Cricket all across America, even winning the championship as captain in 2022 with the Seattle Thunderbolts, who play at North Bend’s Tollgate Farms.

Building those memories has put Seattle in a special place in the heart of Singh.

“It is a very personal thing to me. When I first moved to America, I lived in the Seattle area. I made so many good friends and people are so welcoming. It wasn’t easy for me to move my family and newborn baby. I got so much help from that community,” he said. “It became a family thing that I want to give back to Seattle.”

But now with the start of Major League Cricket in 2023 and MLC 2 happening in 2024, Singh is performing at the highest level and gaining fans and support along the way.

“The first MLC gave all of us local players information that we belong at this level, playing with the best of the best,” he said.

Singh made his MLC debut with the Seattle Orcas as the number one overall pick in the MLC domestic player draft back in 2023. Being able to stick with the franchise that sought him out in India was a very special realization for Singh.

“I couldn’t have asked for more. I already felt like Seattle was my home team, then I get picked to play there. I love that as an athlete that you start having feelings for the team,” Singh said.

“I enjoy playing for Seattle and hopefully the partnership grows and goes longer,” he added.

After making it all the way to the championship in year one, the Orcas failed to make the playoffs in year two. The Orcas placed at the bottom of the standings and really just never got going. But it is about more than wins and losses — every MLC player understands the importance of what they are doing, growing the game.

“It is so good to play high quality games like this, high quality cricket in high quality stadiums (in the U.S.). All of this is really good for America,” Singh said.

Right before MLC 2, Singh got to put on the stars and stripes and took to the field for the U.S. national cricket team.

The national team played in the T20 World Cup which was hosted in the U.S. and West Indies. Singh was a part of the biggest story of the tournament, which was the victory over Pakistan and the U.S. advancing to the Super 8’s part of the tournament. In 2026, the T20 World Cup in back in India and the U.S. national team has an automatic bid, which is exciting for all involved.

“The way the sport is growing I feel there are a lot of positives to take… We have a direct entry and that can take the U.S. team miles, if we prepare well and put up a good team,” Singh said.

Along with Major League Cricket, Singh is really looking forward to how the game grows: “There is so much growth and potential out there for the sport. I just hope we get more and more investments, stadiums and infrastructure. That is the way to go to get more and more kids involved in the sport.”

Singh took the first wicket for the American bowlers in the tournament against Canada in their first game. He also took two wickets in the Super 8 match against South Africa, taking Orcas teammate Quinten de Kock and scored a personal tournament high of 38 runs. Playing on that stage against those batters was something that Singh dreamed of.

“I sometimes still feel like it didn’t happen,” he said.

The American team already knew they wouldn’t beat the would-be champs, India. But to beat Pakistan and even make the Super 8’s playing three other test playing nationals got to show how close the U.S. is to competing at this level.

Singh pointed to Afghanistan, who made the semifinals as a hope for what the U.S. could be: “The small nations have done so well, they (Afghanistan) have 30-odd players in their pool and have done exceedingly well to keep them motivated. We have a bigger pool, and more talented players (to play). We have so much talent out there.”

One of the perks of playing in MLC is being surrounded by some of the best cricketers in the world. The Orcas are no different, but one player in particular has helped Singh. Imad Wasim is an All-Rounder from Pakistan who has been playing top level cricket for Pakistan since 2015.

Wasim and Singh both play very similar styles and having a mentor like Wasim has helped Singh bring his game to a whole new level.

“We are like for like… There is so much to learn from him. Every time I keep trying to pick his brain and ask him what to do in situations,” Singh said.

Harmeet Singh also said that Wasim will even come to him with advice, even when he is not seeking it out. When Singh is bowling, Wasim can be heard shouting instructions on where and how to bowl to certain batters.

“All of that really helps the youngsters. He is someone who comes with a good heart to do well and a total professional,” he said.

Singh and the Orcas seem like a match made in heaven. A kid from India who is at the forefront of cricket making its way into American culture. If cricket does make an impact, it will be because the players and franchises made it happen.