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!!
