Chasing 247 needed a miracle. For the first ten overs in MI New York’s chase, it really looked like the miracle was coming true. Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock, smashed 122 off ten overs, were right on track with the required run-rate. Alas..Let’s talk some more about MonankIt’s no secret that he’s been in some dream form. 62 vs TSK, 20 vs SFU, 93 vs SOR, 32 vs WAF, 60 vs SFU tonight. He kickstarted things and set the tone upfront with a couple of boundaries in the second over against Xaview Bartlett, took it up a notch with three in Bartlett’s next. His fifty came off just 25 balls and by the time he fell in the 10th over, the stage was set. Vintage Quinny arrives! He may have gotten a couple of fifties already, but tonight, he rolled the clock back. Crisp drives, heaves over the leg-side, whippy flicks, he had them all on display. He was happy playing second-fiddle to an extent to Monank as the two led the charge in the run chase. He finished with a 46-ball 70, and kept going after Monank’s dismissal, but didn’t quite get adequate support from the other end. “We didn’t execute our plans as a bowling group”Skipper Nicholas Pooran was on point in the post-match presentation when asked about where things went wrong. Matthew Short (91 off 43), Jake Fraser-McGurk (64 off 26), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (27 off 16) and Hassan Khan (31 off 9) were just too good. Our bowlers just couldn’t keep them in check as they went on a rampage to post 246 on the board. The first half of the league stage is done, and it’s safe to say things haven’t gone our way. But we are still fourth on the points table. Remember Fam, it’s not about how we begin, but about how it ends. And come the business end, we’re sure to set the stage on fire!

62 vs TSK, 20 vs SFU, 93 vs SOR, 32 vs WAF, 60 vs SFU tonight. Despite MI New York having had a tough run so far, Monank Patel has been in fine form. Here are excerpts from his chat at the post-match press conference. On Nicholas Pooran’s formIt’s all about preparing well. He has been working hard and has been spending time in the nets. He is an experienced player and has been through such a patch before as well. He knows what to do. It is all about the mindset. On San Francisco's bowling plans They used the conditions really well and made our batters hit towards the longer end. They were very accurate in executing their plans. Overall they played really good cricket in batting and bowling. When they got one wicket, they made sure they didn’t give any room or half-vollies. Out of 18, they executed 16 balls. Credit to them. Thoughts on the other local USA players doing well Good to see domestic players scoring runs and performing well. I still feel there is a long way to go. It is important you get a good start as a domestic player. A lot of players have been performing well. The experience of two seasons is helping the players. Self-belief and confidence is helping the players. On how the tournament is helping players like him The more your share the dressing room with international players, it is going to help. If you see Kieron Pollard playing his 700th T20 game, there is a reason he is why he scores so much in pressure situations. The more you play, the better you get. His preparation ahead of the game When you talk to you coaches, they share important things. I make sure to listen to them and make sure I trust them. Before I face my first ball, I carry a certain mindset and according to the situation, I just adapt myself. 

Our champion from Cape Town joins the #OneFamily in New York! Tristan Luus, the right-arm fast bowler is all set to join the MI new York squad as a replacement for Rashid Khan, who is not available for this season of the Cognizant Major Cricket League. Tristan is 19, tall and nippy. Having idolized and moulded his bowling action around Dale Steyn, he has been a part of the under-19 World Cup, SA Emerging side, Proteas A team against Sri Lanka A in 2024 and plays for MI Cape Town in SA20, where he recently won the 2025 title. That’s right, let’s bring it home in the USA as well. It’s great to have you in the Blue and Gold, Tristan!