MLC 2025
Can MINY see through their miracle turnaround to completion? © MLC
After having lost six out of their first seven games, MI New York have reached the final of Major League Cricket 2025. Nicholas Pooran, the captain of MI New York, isn’t quite sure how his team reached the final, but he knows one thing for sure: MI New York are somehow in the final game for the second time in three seasons, with a shot to become champions again.
Up against them are defending champions Washington Freedom, a team that not only thoroughly dominated the league stage – finishing as table toppers – but also crushed MINY in both their face-offs this season.
Unlike MINY though, who reached the final by beating two other strong contenders – San Francisco Unicorns and Texas Super Kings in the playoffs earlier in the week – Freedom qualified for the final on the back of a washed-out Qualifier.
In a sense a week-long break after an intense three-week tournament could have served the much-needed rest for the table-toppers, but they would also be aware of the possible loss of momentum in the lead-up to the final. They may not be up against the most dominant team of the tournament in the final, but they would be equally understanding that history counts for little, and MINY have shown ample mettle to soak in the big-game pressures.
When: Sunday, July 13, 2025, 7:00 PM Local/ 5:30 AM IST (July 14)
Where: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
What to expect: Middling to high totals have been the norm at the venue, and over the last couple of games, MINY have shown the ability to master the conditions. Light rain is in the forecast. It remains to be seen how much it stands to impact the final.
Team News:
Washington Freedom:Lockie Ferguson is expected to return to the side for the final
Probable XI: Mitchell Owen, Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous, Mark Chapman, Glenn Maxwell, Glenn Philips, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Jack Edwards, Ian Holland, Saurabh Netrawalkar
MI New York: There is little reason to tinker with its playing combination for the final.
Probable XI: Quinton de Kock, Monank Patel, Michael Bracewell, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Kunwarjeet Singh, Tajinder Dhillon, Tristan Luus, Trent Boult, Noshthush Kenjige, Rushil Ugarkar
© Cricbuzz
