WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! MI NEW YORK – WINNERS, MLC 2025!
By MI New York Media
Yes, yes, yes! Tell the world, announce the crowning, MI New York are the Kings of the USA, the Champions of the Cognizant MLC 2025! It’s time to add some more Gold to our Blue.
And what a game it was. An absolute cliffhanger that lasted till the very end. It really looked like the Washington Freedom had the chase well under control, but MI New York, in typical MI New York fashion, pulled off the chase with a new hero being unearthed in the process, Rushil Ugarkar. This is what a big final is about. The past doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make a difference that the team won just one game in the first seven games. We peaked when it mattered, we won when it mattered. And how!
Oh Rushil, you Champ, Rushil
Entrusted with bowling the final over against two monster batters in Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips, defending just 12 runs, this young USA bowler stepped up to the occasion like he’s done all season. Bowling the tough overs and winning the big moments is something he loves, and once again, he was right up for it.
Just singles came off the first two deliveries. The third ball was a wonderfully disguised slower one that Maxwell swung and missed. He picked out deep mid-wicket off another top slower delivery off the fourth, snuck in another dot off the fifth. MI New York were through. A young USA fast bowler stood up against the best in the world to carry us home.
Trent Boult sets it up
No better way to set it up than with a wicket off the first ball. Trent Boult, as usual, wasted no time in getting into the act, having Michael Owen caught off the first ball. And to top it up, had Andries Gous caught by Pollard off the fifth ball. The tone was set, MINY were on the prowl in their defence of 180.
Although Freedom looked in control of their chase with Rachin Ravindra, Jack Edwards and Phillips going strong and the asking rate staying within reach, we just didn’t throw in the towel. We hung in there, ensured the asking rate stayed over eight-an-over at all times, and kept the pressure up.
Quinny’s night to set it up
He might have had a quiet tournament so far, but come the big night, Quinton de Kock absolutely nailed it. A 46-ball 77 with six fours and four sixes, he set the platform with Monank Patel playing second fiddle. Although there was a bit of a middle-order collapse, a quickfire 13-ball 22 from Kunwarjeet Singh powered the team to a solid total.
And it was enough on the big night. The pressure of runs on the scoreboard never deceives. Another piece of silverware has been added to our already studded trophy cabinet. #2 in the USA is in the bag. Start the party!!
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MINY have arrived to conquer MLC 2026, let the nets begin…
THE GRAND AMERICAN CRICKET CARNIVAL – the Major League Cricket has touched down for its fourth edition. MI New York, the league’s most successful franchise and the only team to have lifted the MLC trophy twice, first in 2023 and then last year in 2025. MI New York enters this new season with a lot of hunger and fan support for the campaign ahead. Our stars with firepower are back, the stakes are higher and it is time to write another chapter in our growing legacy within the MI universe. During our first encounter on 21st June 2026 at Dallas, MI New York will face Washington Freedom, both finalists of last season. A new season brings fresh opportunities, but the goal remains unchanged. MLC continues to grow in stature, drawing global stars and expanding cricket’s footprint across America. Our champion side steps onto the field carrying confidence and belief… their best cricket is yet to unfold. Our mission is simple, to raise the standards and bar on field and keep adding trophies to the cabinet. From packed stadiums to screens around the globe…every cheer, chant and message will fuel our MI New York side.The X factor and heartbeat of this team is the return of our very own Kieron Pollard the player. Over the years, KP has seamlessly transitioned between different roles across the MI universe. But this time around when the Caribbean all-rounder walks onto the field in the MI New York jersey, he continues to bring the match winning aura. His presence, monster six hitting abilities and outstanding cricketing brain will be extremely valuable for the side.Some other familiar faces in the team include the destructive T20 batter Nicholas Pooran, big match performer with the bat and behind the stumps Quinton de Kock. The explosive top order mainstay Ryan Rickelton, while his South African counterpart, all-rounder Corbin Bosch adds depth to the squad while Corey Anderson’s experience and versatility, while the man in form Romario Shepherd remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the shortest format of the game. New ball specialist Trent Boult brings his own zing to the side while Allah Ghazanfar can trouble the best batters in the world with his mystery spin.Waking down memory lane, in 2023, MI New York etched their name in history by becoming the inaugural MLC champions all thanks to Pooran’s batting masterclass in the final. They announced themselves on the American stage in style. Come the next season of 2024, we came close to defending the crown but it was not meant to be. But last year…the boys responded in a brilliant fashion, peaked at the right time, entering the playoffs and then sealed a win in the final over thriller versus Washington Freedom by five runs.Championship teams are built on talent and hard work while dynasties are built on consistency and team work. The belief is strong while the mission is clear as the chase for our third MLC crown begins! 16 Jun, 2026LAUNCHED: MI New York's new threads for MLC 2026!!
MI colors, MI pride, MI threads!A stunning new design, but with same Blue and Gold passion - the cape of the defending champions is here. It's an all-star design forged in the class of the Blue with the Gold shining bright, as MI New York embark on a journey to defend their crown. 2023, 2025, bagged. MLC 2026, bring it on! 15 Jun, 2026Say hello to MI New York's overseas signings for MLC 2026
Blue and Gold in South Africa. Blue and Gold in India. And now Blue and Gold in the USA. Ryan Rickelton is here and with his big-hitting and smart keeping, will play a major role in MI New York defending their crown going into MLC 2026. As someone who topped the run-scoring charts in the 2017-18 season of the domestic 3-day cup, Ryan Rickelton has come up the South African ranks through the grind of First Class cricket. Over the last two years, he moved into an opening role at MI Cape Town, where he excelled, and since, has become a consistent presence in all three formats for the Proteas. You don’t need to look very far to see what he’s capable of. In the first match of IPL 2026, he tore apart the bowling to smash a 43-ball 81 to help Mumbai Indians chase down their highest total in the history of the tournament. Oh, we’re going to love having him here. Welcome to New York, Ryano! ******Coming in next into the New York Blue and Gold is Corbin Bosch, fellow Protea, who, much like Ryan, is with the #OneFamily in Cape Town and Mumbai. A gun all-rounder, who bowls quick, has a bunch of variations at the death, and is a kew lower-order big-hitter, Corbin is here to conquer America.******Tristan Luus makes this a South African trio, with the double of donning the Blue and Gold in Cape Town as well as New York. He's no newbie here, having been with the team during the 2025 MLC triumph. Having idolized and moulded his bowling action around Dale Steyn, this 20-year-old is one to watch out for. It's great having you back, Tristan!******Allah Ghazanfar, the mystery man is here. Off-spin, leg-spin, googlies, carrom ball, the scooter, he has them all in his armory. This 20-year-old from Afghanistan is here to conquer the USA after his exploits in the Blue and Gold at MI Emirates and Mumbai Indians. He's had a sharp rise, from being the standout bowler at the 2024 under-19 World Cup, to now becoming one of the mainstays in the national side. Welcome to America, AMG!******Swinging it around hoops and coming back for the 2026 season is another familiar face, Trent Boult, the true blue MI globetrotter, who's part of all five teams in the #OneFamily. A two-time champion with MINY, the highest wicket-taker of the 2023 season and the star of the 2025 season, he is back to rip out some poles! ******Coming in next to defend his crown is our very own Nicholas Pooran. The champion of 2023 and 2025. The owner of the greatest MLC knock with his 137* in the inaugural final, he is back in the USA to tonk a few more into the stands. ******Following Nicky P is a fellow Caribbean T20 legend, Romario Shepherd. The Guyaneese giant comes in with an equally huge reputation of being the perfect all-rounder – someone who can be called upon to bowl in any situation thanks to the entire armoury of tricks and variations he has up his sleeve, and someone who can be trusted to finish an innings, thanks to the massive hits he can unleash. ******Serial champion, Kieron Pollard, is back, shedding his catching glove for his batting ones. With his massive sixes, wily bowling, gun fielding, and a never-say-die attitude that has seen him steal matches that were dead and buried, he’s all set to conquer the United States once again. Our Champion of MLC 2023 and 2025! ******Our final signing - Protea, ‘keeper, opener, Blue and Gold ledge! Quinton de Kock, fresh off his stunning century for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, is back to do the same in America. Oh, we cannot wait for you to smash it all parts, Quinny! 04 Apr, 2026
