Major League Cricket (MLC) has announced a new sponsorship deal with Royal, cultivators of authentic basmati and sona masoori rice, atta wheat flour, and Indian ready meals.

As part of the deal, the brand will serve as an official partner of the league for its debut season this summer.

We’re absolutely delighted to partner with @Royal_Authentic for the inaugural season of #MajorLeagueCricket 🏏 🤝 🍚

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— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 6, 2023

The top brand of Sona Masoori and Basmati rice in America, Royal, a U.S.-based Indian food company, will honour cricket brilliance by sponsoring the first-ever MLC Top Run Scorer Award for the 2023 season. At Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 30, the prize for the “Royal Leading Run Scorer” will be presented. At a few MLC games, Royal will also serve up exceptional South Asian cuisine and give away branded items to fans.

Abhinav Arora, President of LT Foods Americas, the renowned global culinary enterprise behind the Royal brand, said, “We’re excited to partner with Major League Cricket to bring the culture, cuisine and vibrant flavors of South Asia to cricket fans in the United States. Much like cricket, the love for Royal® Basmati Rice transcends borders and cultures and we’re excited for fans of all backgrounds to experience the joy of cricket and delicious authentic Indian foods that are a source of comfort and celebration.”

Justin Geale, MLC Tournament Director, said, “MLC is thrilled to welcome the Royal® brand onboard as an official partner. Royal has proven to be a strong supporter of American cricket sharing MLC’s long-term vision to build the sport for the vast community of fans of the game here in the United States. We can’t wait to see which superstar player captures the Royal Leading Run Scorer award this summer!”

The inaugural MLC season is scheduled to commence on July 13, under the lights at Grand Prairie Stadium, close to Dallas, Texas, the nation’s newest top cricket stadium. Six teams – Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom are scheduled to compete in the 18 matches that will be played before the inaugural MLC championship final on Sunday, July 30.

In its debut season, Major League Cricket will include several of the top T20 players from around the globe alongside the best domestic talent in the United States. The foreign star athletes who have been officially announced thus far are Wanindu Hasaranga, Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Wayne Parnell, Anrich Nortje, and Marco Jansen.