The Surf Riders were formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket.[2] The team is co-owned by Rajinder Ghai, Gangaram Singh, Sanjit Menezes, Jimmy Anklesaria, and Ram Madabushi.[2]
Background
Talks of an American Twenty20 league started in November 2018 just before USA Cricket became the new governing body of cricket in the United States.[3][4] In May 2021, USA Cricket announced they had accepted a bid by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) for a US$1 billion investment covering the league and other investments benefitting the U.S. national teams.[5]
In July 2020, the player registration for the Minor League Cricket exhibition league began.[12] On August 15, 2020, USA Cricket announced the teams participating in the exhibition league matches, also listing the owners for each team.[13] The draft for the exhibition league began on August 22, 2020,[14] with the Surf Riders releasing their squad on August 24.[15]Marty Kain was later named as captain for the Surf Riders for the exhibition league.[15]
After the conclusion of the exhibition league, USA Cricket announced that they were planning to launch the inaugural season of Minor League Cricket in spring 2021.[16] Ahead of the official season, which was announced to kick off on July 31,[17] the Lashings announced Marty Kain to continue his role as captain with Mrunal Patel helming vice-captain duties.[18]
In their first match of the season, the Surf Riders defeated the Master Blasters by 5 wickets in a low-scoring game, but then lost to the Lashings by 4 wickets the same day.[19] The Surf Riders, however, only won three times after their opening match victory, once against the Thunderbolts,[20] once against the Master Blasters,[21] and once against the Irving Mustangs.[22] They lost against the Thunderbolts,[23] the Strikers twice,[23][24] the Blazers twice,[23][24] the Lashings,[21]Hurricanes,[22] and the Athletics.[22] The Surf Riders finished on top of the Master Blasters, and finished 6th, thus not qualifying for the finals.