Club Profiles
Delhi Daredevils, projected 3rd in Bengal Division
Payroll: $31 million, 1st
Massive fan base for the 2077 expansion team replacing the Kolkata Knight Riders when they bailed on the league for the WBA. Success has come overall at a 55% win rate but the Daredevils have not broken through for a title yet. They made the finals last year to get smacked around 5-1 by Yorkshire. A 2085 run to the Asian Cup final was another highlight before falling to the Perth Scorchers. Like the other big clubs on the subcontinent, often a very young crowd, very enthusiastic and very winning obsessed as the stands can seem on overflow mode. Delhi's fans desperate to reach the level of a Mumbai, Lahore, or Karachi.
2023 Sports Universe Equivalent: San Diego Padres...spending big and have a ton of energy behind them right now but yet to accomplish anything real
Mumbai Tigers, projected 7th in Bengal Division
Payroll: $30 million, 2nd
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the Kolkata abandonment, the Tigers emerged to win 3 Commonwealth titles and 2 Asian Cups in the decade from 2079-2088 and dominated the league, they've climbed all the way to #14 in the World right now but have a bleak outlook this season. A legendary squad is aging and the recent glories look unlikely to continue. In 2084 they fought their way into the Champions League joining the surprising Harambee Stats run in 2082 as the only current Commonwealth team to play in that competition. A 4-6 record certainly was something to be proud of.
2023 Sports Universe Equivalent: Green Bay Packers...big club and fanbase used to success but staring down seasons below their expectations
Karachi Kings, projected 1st in Bengal
Payroll: $29 million, 3rd
Similar to Mumbai in another team to really step up after Kolkata left, Mumbai have been consistently great the last decade but they still have the talent on their squad right now. They have made the longest run of any Commonwealth team in the Baseball Cup, making the Final Four in 2072, adding an Elite Eight in 2084 and 2 other knockout appearances, their 4 appearances double any other team. No other Commonwealth team has bettered their 2083 3rd place Global Cup finish and while they have never succeeded in the Asian Cup, they've built a great resume and look to continue doing so. The hatred between Karachi and Mumbai often bubbles and it takes a brave columnist to judge which is the bigger or better club.
2023 Sports Universe Comparison: Los Angeles Dodgers, just big market club throwing their weight around to remain at the top of the game for a long stretch
Surrey Brown Caps, projected 2nd in Wisden
Payroll: $24 million, 4th
From the glory of Lord's Cricket Ground the Brown Caps always have the classiest crowd in the league...according to their own media. A relaxed attitude, a concession stand serving full meals and the general dress code being three notches higher than you'd see in Mumbai or Lahore. Fans often compare themselves to the "club up north" in terms of everything: pitch quality, food quality, behavior of players, but of course it eventually comes down to success on the field...where it's incredibly even between Yorkshire and Surrey.
2023 Sports Universe Comparison: St. Louis Cardinals...maybe a bit of arrogance in the fanbase but a respect for class and a strong level of success
Yorkshire Vikings
Payroll: $20 million, 5th
One of 4 active teams tied for the most titles in league history with 3 (Surrey, Mumbai, Karachi), Yorkshire see themselves as the premier franchise as well. Class but not as stuck up as the Londoners down South, more kids come to the games and it's a bit more loose up in Leeds but it's not quite the chaos they see the sub-continent games as. The reigning champs want to be the first to 4.
2023 Sports Universe Comparison: Atlanta Braves
Lahore Qalandars, projected 2nd in Bengal
Payroll: $19 million, 6th
A team that most thought would come on and dominate the league after Kolkata left, but it hasn't really happened. Lahore is looking to emerge from a long stretch of struggles with a good team this year, projected for greatness after last seasons Asian Cup win rekindled the fans dreams. Rivalry mainly with Karachi, the Indian-Pakistani bit hasn't really clicked with Lahore since Kolkata left as they haven't been great alongside Mumbai.
2023 Sports Universe Comparison: Boston Celtics...a great history and a current team that looks great and trying to revive the old glory