Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy has extended its global reach by launching a new center in Seattle, United States. The academy will introduce Delhi Capitals’ established coaching curriculum and technical framework to ensure organized training, performance tracking, and continuous player growth.
Situated in Seattle, the Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy will partner with Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, an organization that evolved from a Minor League Cricket team in 2021 to a respected cricket establishment in the US. The Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, which clinched the Minor League Cricket Championship in 2022, trains over 200 young cricketers and supports various cricket levels across the youth, adult, and women’s categories.
The collaboration forms part of a broader effort to establish an interconnected network across diverse regions, with the goal of creating clearer pathways for players and coaches. This initiative includes access to training camps, exposure opportunities, and knowledge exchange within Delhi Capitals’ global academy system.
Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta emphasized the significance of expanding the academy network in the US as a crucial move in building a robust and sustainable global development ecosystem. The focus remains on establishing transparent pathways, sharing best practices, and assisting young cricketers in their pursuit of competing at the highest levels.
Phani Chitneni, Co-Owner of Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, highlighted the partnership as a significant stride in broadening the Delhi Capitals Academy’s reach beyond India into one of the rapidly growing cricket markets globally. The association with Seattle Thunderbolts Academy provides the DC Academy with a strong grassroots presence in the Pacific Northwest, supported by a well-established cricket organization boasting quality infrastructure, community outreach, and experienced partners in grassroots cricket development in the US.
Vijay Beniwal, Co-Owner of Seattle Thunderbolts Academy, noted that the partnership offers a clear pathway for young players in the Pacific Northwest, enabling them to benefit from structured coaching, skill development programs, fitness emphasis, mentorship, and exposure to high-performance settings. The collaboration facilitates long-term development by granting access to training, assessment, and exchange opportunities.
Phani Chitneni further emphasized the necessity for robust academy infrastructure, professional training programs, quality coaching, and clear player pathways to foster cricket’s growth in the US. The partnership between Seattle Thunderbolts Academy and Delhi Capitals Academy aims to address these needs by focusing on structured development and long-term prospects.
Delhi Capitals’ expansion strategy includes strengthening its presence across India and globally through a network of academies strategically located. In India, centers are established at Conscient Sports in the NCR region, American EduGlobal in Ghaziabad, and The Sports School in Bengaluru. Internationally, the network includes the Delhi Capitals Sajid Mahmood Cricket Academy in London, Ontario Cricket Academy in Mississauga, and the newly incorporated Thunderbolts Cricket Academy in Seattle, marking the US as a significant hub.
