Delhi Capitals Academy opens new centre in United States' Seattle
New Delhi, May 14
Continuing its international expansion, Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy has opened a new centre in Seattle, United States. The academy will implement Delhi Capitals' proven coaching curriculum and technical framework to ensure structured training, performance monitoring, and sustained player development.
Located in Seattle, the Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy will collaborate with Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, an organisation founded in 2021 that has expanded from a Minor League Cricket team to a recognised cricket setup in the United States. The team also secured the Minor League Cricket Championship in 2022.
Seattle Thunderbolts Academy trains more than 200 young cricketers and supports a wider grassroots community across youth, adult, and women's cricket. The organisation oversees six cricket grounds, including turf wickets, offering a solid foundation for consistent training and competitions in the Pacific Northwest.
The partnership is part of a larger initiative to develop a connected network across different regions, aiming to create more transparent pathways for players and coaches. This encompasses access to training camps, exposure opportunities, and knowledge sharing within Delhi Capitals' worldwide academy ecosystem.
Speaking on the development, Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta said, "The expansion of our academy network in the United States is a key step in building a strong and sustainable global development ecosystem. Our focus remains on creating clear pathways, sharing best practices, and supporting young cricketers as they aim to compete at the highest level."
Phani Chitneni, Co-Owner, Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, said, "This association is a meaningful step in expanding the Delhi Capitals Academy ecosystem beyond India and into one of the fastest growing cricket markets in the world. Partnering with Seattle Thunderbolts Academy gives DC Academy a strong grassroots presence in the Pacific Northwest, backed by an established cricket organisation with quality infrastructure, community reach, and execution partners with decades of experience building grassroots cricket in the US. For Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, this partnership brings structured coaching methodology and access to professional standards. It creates a direct link between local cricket development in the United States and the wider cricket ecosystem."
Vijay Beniwal, Co-Owner, Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, added, "This partnership creates a clear pathway for young players in the Pacific Northwest. Players will benefit from structured coaching, skill development programs, fitness focus, mentorship, and exposure to a high-performance environment.
A player starting at the grassroots level in Seattle can now progress through academy programs, competitive cricket, and opportunities that connect to the wider professional cricket ecosystem. This partnership supports long-term development by creating access to training, evaluation, and exchange opportunities."
Phani Chitneni further added, "For cricket to grow in the United States, there is a need for strong academy infrastructure, professional training programs, quality coaching, and a clear pathway for young players. This partnership between Seattle Thunderbolts Academy and Delhi Capitals Academy is a step toward that, with a focus on structured development and long-term opportunity."
With this expansion, Delhi Capitals strengthens its presence throughout India and internationally, supported by a network of academies in strategic locations. In India, centers are located at Conscient Sports in the NCR region, American EduGlobal in Ghaziabad, and The Sports School in Bengaluru. Globally, the network encompasses the Delhi Capitals Sajid Mahmood Cricket Academy in London, Ontario Cricket Academy in Mississauga, and the newly added Thunderbolts Cricket Academy in Seattle, establishing the United States as a significant hub.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but I hope they don't just use this as a PR move. Indian academies abroad should actually produce players for the national team, not just make money. I'd love to see some US-born players eventually playing in the IPL or even for India. Let's see if this partnership translates to real talent development. 🤔
Seattle Thunderbolts won the Minor League in 2022 - that's impressive! Pacific Northwest is a growing cricket hub with all those techies from India who love the game. Smart move by DC to partner with a team that already has grassroots setup. This could be a game-changer for US cricket. 🏏
As someone who moved from Delhi to Seattle five years ago, I'm thrilled! My son is nine and loves cricket but we had no proper coaching options. Now there's a direct link to the DC Academy. The curriculum, performance monitoring, and exposure opportunities mentioned are exactly what we need for serious development. Thank you, Delhi Capitals! 🇺🇸🇮🇳
I respect this move but let's not overhype. Cricket in the US is still niche, and Seattle isn't exactly a cricket hotspot like Houston or Dallas. Also, these partnerships often sound great on paper but execution matters - how many coaches are actually being sent from India? Quality coaching curriculum alone won't work without local context. Hope it's done right.
DC is expanding its footprint across Canada and now the US while some other IPL teams are still figuring out domestic academies. This is brilliant branding too - every NRI parent wants their kid to have a chance at professional cricket. The more
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.