What does it take to bring a beloved sport to a new country—and build community in the process?

Sanjay Parthasarathy is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and lifelong cricket enthusiast. Born and raised in Chennai, India, Sanjay’s journey took him from the cricket fields of his childhood to the tech halls of Microsoft and beyond. Now, as co-owner of the Seattle Orcas—one of Major League Cricket’s newest franchises—he’s on a mission to grow the game in the U.S. and foster deeper connections across cultures.

In this episode, Sanjay explores how his early love of cricket shaped his path, what it meant to work alongside Bill Gates in India during the tech boom, and how he's using cricket to give back to the next generation. We’re also joined by journalist Greg Shaw, who helps us understand the broader story of cricket’s rise in America.

In this episode, Sanjay shares insights to:

• (01:23) His history with the sport of cricket in India
• (02:27) The Seattle Orcas and Major League Cricket
• (06:27) Expert Discussion with Greg Shaw about the rise of immigrant sports in the U.S.
• (11:05) The Rules of Cricket
• (14:21) Promoting Cricket to the next generation
• (16:30) Why he left India
• (19:10) Working at Microsoft
• (24:46) Lessons learned from India

Desi Roots and Routes: Pathways to Success of Indians in America is brought to you by the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University. Join our host, Sital Kalantry, Professor of Law and Director of the Roundglass India Center as she delves into the incredible stories of Indian Americans exploring their roots in India and the routes they took to become inspiring leaders in America.

Subscribe to Desi Roots and Routes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

Stay up to date on our latest episodes and insights by visiting our website and following us on LinkedIn and YouTube!

And if you want more information on the Roundglass India Center, subscribe to our newsletter here or email us at DesiRoutesPod@gmail.com and let us know what stories you’d love to hear next. Thanks for tuning in and remember to keep building bridges and creating connections.

Additional Resources:

• Sanjay Parthasarathy
• The Seattle Orcas
• Greg Shaw