MLC 2025: MI New York Stun Texas Super Kings in Challenger
The MLC 2025 Challenger saw a massive upset as MI New York comprehensively defeated the formidable Texas Super Kings by 7 wickets. This victory was nothing short of sensational, especially considering MI New York's earlier struggles in the tournament. They managed to turn their fortunes around dramatically.
The match, held at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, was a nail-biter. The Texas Super Kings, despite a cautious start, managed to post a competitive total of 166/5, thanks to a fighting fifty from captain Faf du Plessis and a brilliant cameo from Akeal Hosein. However, MI New York's chase was powered by an unbroken 72-run stand between Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard, who sealed the victory with an over to spare. This result sent shockwaves through the league, halting the Texas Super Kings' impressive campaign.
How the MLC 2025 Challenger Unfolded
The Challenger match between Texas Super Kings and MI New York was a high-stakes encounter. Texas Super Kings, batting first, saw early wickets fall, but Faf du Plessis steadied the innings. His crucial partnership with Akeal Hosein ensured a respectable total was set.
MI New York's chase started shakily with early dismissals. However, the experience and power-hitting of Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran proved too much for the Texas Super Kings' bowling attack. Their aggressive partnership swung the momentum decisively in MI New York's favor, securing their spot in the final.
MLC 2025 Playoff Results
The MLC 2025 playoffs were filled with excitement and unexpected twists:
- Qualifier 1: Washington Freedom advanced directly to the final as this match was not played due to rain.
- Eliminator: MI New York beat San Francisco Unicorns in a thrilling encounter, securing their place in the Challenger.
- Challenger (Qualifier 2): MI New York triumphed over the Texas Super Kings, earning their spot in the final against Washington Freedom.
TSK vs MI NY MLC 2025 Challenger Brief Score
Texas Super Kings: 166/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 59, Akeal Hosein 55*; Tristan Luus 3/30, Rushil Ugarkar 2/25) MI New York: 167/3 in 19 overs (Nicholas Pooran 52*, Kieron Pollard 47*; Akeal Hosein 1/28)
MI New York won by 7 wickets.
MLC 2025 Final Details
The grand finale of MLC 2025 will feature MI New York taking on the defending champions Washington Freedom. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this clash of titans, promising a thrilling conclusion to the season. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025 (Monday, July 14 IST).
MLC 2025 (After Challenger)
The league stage showcased intense competition, with teams battling for playoff berths. Here's how the teams stood after the Challenger:
- Washington Freedom (16 pts, +0.954 NRR): Topped the table with a dominant performance throughout the league stage.
- Texas Super Kings (14 pts, +1.603 NRR): Finished second, showcasing remarkable consistency and a strong net run rate.
- San Francisco Unicorns (14 pts, +1.330 NRR): Also had 14 points, but finished third due to a slightly lower NRR than Texas Super Kings.
- MI New York (6 pts, -0.518 NRR): Secured the fourth playoff spot despite a challenging league phase, proving that momentum in playoffs is key.
- Seattle Orcas (6 pts, -1.842 NRR): Finished fifth, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
- Los Angeles Knight Riders (4 pts, -1.320 NRR): Had a season to forget, finishing at the bottom of the table.
Washington Freedom & MI New York Road To MLC 2025 Finals
Washington Freedom (16 pts, +0.954 NRR) Washington Freedom demonstrated consistent excellence, topping the league standings with 8 wins from 10 matches. Their path to the final was secured by winning Qualifier 1, which unfortunately was curtailed due to rain. This direct entry highlighted their dominance in the league stage.
MI New York (6 pts, -0.518 NRR) MI New York's journey to the final has been a remarkable turnaround story. After finishing fourth in the league stage with only 3 wins, they found their rhythm in the playoffs. They first defeated San Francisco Unicorns in the Eliminator and then stunned the strong Texas Super Kings in the Challenger to book their final berth.
Full-Team Stats Summary MLC Season 3
While detailed individual statistics vary, a summary of the team performances in MLC Season 3 reveals:
- Washington Freedom: Known for their balanced attack and consistent batting lineup, they proved to be the team to beat.
- Texas Super Kings: Excelled with both bat and ball, boasting top performers like Faf du Plessis in batting. Their high NRR reflected their comprehensive victories.
- San Francisco Unicorns: Showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their batting, but couldn't maintain consistency in the latter part of the league.
- MI New York: Despite a slow start, their star power and ability to peak at the right time in the playoffs made them a dangerous side.
- Seattle Orcas: Had moments of individual brilliance but struggled to perform consistently as a unit.
- Los Angeles Knight Riders: Faced significant challenges throughout the season, unable to find winning combinations.
FAQs
Who is Texas Super Kings' owner? The Texas Super Kings are co-owned by Chennai Super Kings, Ross Perot Jr., and Anurag Jain.
How many trophies did Texas Super Kings win? As of MLC 2025, the Texas Super Kings have not yet won any trophies. They reached the Challenger in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Which teams are owned by CSK? Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited owns three cricket franchises: Chennai Super Kings (IPL), Joburg Super Kings (SA20), and Texas Super Kings (Major League Cricket).
Conclusion
The MLC 2025 season has delivered an unforgettable spectacle of T20 cricket. While the Texas Super Kings showed immense promise and consistency throughout the league, their journey was halted by a resurgent MI New York in the Challenger. The stage is now set for a thrilling final between Washington Freedom and MI New York, promising a fitting end to a captivating season. The Major League Cricket continues to grow, bringing high-quality cricket to a global audience and establishing itself as a significant tournament in the T20 landscape.
