MINY have arrived to conquer MLC 2026, let the nets begin…
By MI New York Media
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!
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Match 1 | WFvMINY preview: Kicking things off with a repeat of last year’s iconic finale…
It’s been a year already. It feels like just yesterday when our Boys in Blue and Gold pulled off a heist and gave us our second title. The time now has come for them to do it all over again. It was some campaign last year – bouncing from the dead to go on an unstoppable winning roll, all the way to the silverware. This is our moment to relive it all over again, as the two sides that met in the MLC 2025 Final are all set to lock horns in kickstarting our campaign for 2026.. It’s a pretty similar-looking side we have this year as well. Skipper Nicholas Pooran returns to the helm of affairs, Kieron Pollard is back, shedding his coaching gloves for the batting ones, and with him are those monster sixes. Trent Boult, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch and Allah Ghazanfar come in straight from the IPL, determined more than ever to give the #OneFamily some happy moments to cheer. Our Patels – Monank and Sunny – along with Tajinder Singh, Rushil Ugarkar and the entire American lot are so looking forward to show the world how much they’ve progressed in the last year. Right then, we’re all set for one fun battle. Steven Smith vs Pooran, Polly vs Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra vs Quinny, Marco Jansen vs Boulty. Yep, that’s the intense man-for-man marking we’re talking about here. Let’s set the ball rolling on a winning note, shall we! What: Washington Freedom vs MI New York When: June 20, 2026 | 7:30pm local time, 6:00am ISTWhere: Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas What to expect: If the opening night was anything to go by, the pitch at the Grand Prairie is an absolute belter. Historically as well, we’ve seen 200 being chased down for fun. This is a proper bat-second ground, and that will be a strategy both teams will look to follow at the toss. Irrespective, the game promises to be an equal belter! 19 Jun, 2026MINY sign Shakib Al Hasan as temporary replacement for Allah Ghazanfar
Get all set to welcome the gun Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, to the #OneFamily in the USA! He joins MI New York as a temporary replacement for Allah Ghazanfar, who is currently part of Afghanistan’s squad for the ODI series against India. Shakib is no stranger to the MI global ecosystem, having previously represented MI Emirates in the ILT20, where he played a key role in the team’s run to the final earlier this year. His familiarity with the MI culture and the winning environment will aid in a seamless transition into the MI New York squad along with the wealth of experience he brings to the team.With over 14,000 international runs and 600+ wickets, Shakib is a global cricket force. He's calm when needed, a fighter when the chips are down, clutch under pressure, and always a threat - whether it is smashing sixes or bamboozling batters with his left-arm spin.Fun fact: Shakib, at one point, was the number one ranked all-rounder in all three formats at the same time. Welcome back to the Blue and Gold! 19 Jun, 2026MLC 2026: MI Family, MI Team, MI New York is ready to roar
The fourth edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) Tournament kicks off on 20th June 2026 and defending champions MI New York arrive with a squad packed with match winners, proven champions and a dressing room that understands exactly what it takes to win trophies. MI New York is the only team in MLC history to have won two championships, conquering a victory during the inaugural season (2023) and reclaiming their throne last year (2025). This time around, the challenge ahead will be fierce, but if history has taught us anything…it is this team that knows exactly how to handle big occasions. The stars are aligned and with a perfect blend of experience and young guns…the stage is set for another summer filled with ambition, belief and full of dreams.The core that brought success to the team over the years remains intact, while gen next understands the expectations that come with wearing the MI New York badge. This team’s mindset is built on belief, resilience and the ability to perform when pressure is at its peak. This year, six teams compete in a double round robin format, facing each opponent twice across 10 league games. The top four teams then progress to the playoffs, which sets the tone for an exciting race to be crowned MLC 2026 champions. MI New York’s league campaign which promises to be a blockbuster begins in Texas where they meet opponents and last year’s finalist Washington Freedom followed by Texas Super Kings at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium. From there, the team heads west to California where Oakland Coliseum will host key encounters once again versus the Super Kings and then Los Angeles Knight Riders. The action then moves to Fairplex Pomona with battles against Seattle Orcas, LA Knight Riders and San Francisco Unicorns. The final leg takes the Men in Blue and Gold back to Texas where San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas and Washington Freedom will be ready to face them.Some key talents to watch out for this year would be Tajinder Singh and his raw power that makes him a dangerous lower order weapon. Nosthush Kenjige, the dependable left arm spinner offers variation and control. Kunwarjeet Singh adds balance to the side with his all-round abilities. Last year's star in the final, Rushil Ugarkar has been fantastic with the ball, delivering under pressure situations.Agni Chopra, the elegant batter can shift gears rapidly while Monank Patel’s consistency and composure offers a vital top order presence along with being a good wicket keeping option. Sunny Patel, another good batting all-rounder has shown us how dangerous he can be. Faisal Ahmadzai, the exciting new talent could add his own magic to the side if given a chance. Tristan Luus the young speedster brings pace, bounce and can snap wickets at regular intervals.Walking down memory lane let us relive some interesting statistics from the 2025 season. MI New York won against Washington Freedom by a thrilling five runs margin in the final. Our very own Monank Patel was the top run scorer with 478 runs in 13 matches, which included four half tons. Quinton de Kock amassed 373 runs in 12 matches while Nicolas Pooran made 360 runs in 13 games including a brilliant 108* in 60 balls versus Seattle Orcas. The young star who lit up the league was Rushil Ugarkar, who picked 11 wickets in 8 matches.Come 2026, the Men in Blue and Gold are ready to defend their crown, chase history and write another golden chapter in MLC. MI New York league stage match schedule:DateTeamsVenueTime20th June 2026Washington Freedom Vs MI New YorkGrand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas7:30 pm CST21st June 2026Texas Super Kings Vs MI New YorkGrand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas7:30 pm CST26th June 2026MI New York Vs Texas Super KingsOakland Coliseum, California2:30 pm PST27th June 2026MI New York Vs Los Angeles LakersOakland Coliseum, California2:30 pm PST2nd July 2026Seattle Orcas Vs MI New YorkFairplex Pomona, California6:30 pm PST 4th July 2026Los Angeles Knight Riders Vs MI New YorkFairplex Pomona, California6:30 pm PST5th July 2026San Francisco Unicorns Vs MI New YorkFairplex Pomona, California6:30 pm PST8th July 2026MI New York Vs San Francisco UnicornsGrand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas7:30 pm CST10 July 2026MI New York Vs Seattle OrcasGrand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas3:30 pm CST12th July 2026MI New York Vs Washington FreedomGrand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas3:30 pm CST 18 Jun, 2026
