We are back, and how! There are wins, and then there is this, one that has given our already-great NRR another boost, leaving MI New York with a solid chance of making it not just to the top four, but into the top two. 

The top-order announces itself

Over the last three games, one point of concern was the misfiring top-order. Not tonight. Shayan Jahangir and Monank Patel came out all guns blazing, and milked 65 runs off the powerplay. Saurabh Netravalkar was in for special treatment, as the duo smashed him for two fours and two sixes in the fourth over. All thoughts of a possible change up top were put to bed, firmly. 

Nicky P does a Nicky P

Oh it was a masterclass. He defended the first ball he faced, tried to cut the second but misses, tapped his third down to long-on. That was it. That was all the watchful defence you were getting out of him today. Obus Pienaar came into the attack, and Pooran went ballistic – 4, 6, 6, 4 (leg byes), 6. And the momentum never dropped. With Monank giving him solid support, and then skipper Polly in a mood to finish it quickly as well, the carnage ended with the game being sealed with 27 balls to spare. 

The bowlers set it up

All said and done, it was a super effort from the entire bowling group to keep Washington Freedom to 160 on what has been a high-scoring pitch. All the five bowlers were in among the wickets, and never let their batters run away with a bad over. Nosthush Kenjige, in particular, added another feather to his hat of mystery, absolutely strangling the batting and sneaking in figures of 1/19 in his four overs. 

Right, let’s state it again, our train is firmly on track and is all set to hit the top gear. Talk about peaking at the right time. MI NY currently sit at number three on the points table with the added advantage of playing the last league game to know what the equation ahead of us exactly is. Let’s not take this foot off the gas!