Monank, Nosthush headline retained domestic players ahead of MLC 2025

“Dusting off the cobwebs quickly” was what Head Coach Mark Boucher asked for from the team. And boy, not only were the cobwebs thrown out, the entire unit bore the feel of a fresh coat of paint. Right from the first ball against the Texas Super Kings, MI New York looked in complete control. The intent, the aggression, the #OneFamily Spirit was bang on display. In a quick turnaround with back to back games on consecutive days, it was serious character shown by the boys. “Tough turnaround, the guys came in a few days ago and to play back-to-back games, so it's always challenging, but credit to the guys, we got a small window for recovery, came to the meetings, and we knew what we had to do today,” said skipper Nicholas Pooran in the post-game chat. “Yesterday we got defeated, but we didn't give up. And that's most important in T20 cricket. You don't want to get blown away from the team. You want to stay as consistent as possible, stay within the fight, and give ourselves a chance, obviously we knew yesterday where we went wrong, and today gave us the opportunity to correct it, getting the opportunity to bowl first again today.”There’s another thing about the MI Family teams – we start slow and there’s a bit of a first-game jinx. But there’s also the thing about peaking when it matters, gathering momentum at the right time, and then storming into the finals. “I mean, for some reason that first game haunts us, but that's not how we start,” he said.  “We knew that for a fact in the first year, and then obviously last year, starting, having challenging starts, and still coming back and winning the competition. We as a team, we pride ourselves in putting our heads together and figuring it out, and kudos to the entire group from the owners, management, the coaches and the players, for sticking around and tough times. That defines our team, and obviously the guys in the Blue.”“It's a special group of guys, and we're here to win. We know who we're playing for, and we know the challenges we face every single competition. So the mindset is to turn up, be as professional as we can.”The W is sorted. The engine has been kickstarted. The fire is lit. Let’s make it an inferno over the next month! 

Comprehensive, professional, domination. From start to finish, MI New York have completely bossed this game - skittling out the Texas Super Kings for just 152 and then smashing their way with the bat to seal an easy two points.  Need powerplay wickets? Dial Boulty! It’s a love story that’s been playing out for nearly two decades now. You trust him with the new ball, and he repays you with early strikes. Tonight was no different, striking in the first over itself with the wicket of Smit Patel, and then following it up in the next over with that of the dangerous Rilee Rossouw. What more, he came back after that at the death to blow the tail away with a wicket and a run-out. And of course, Bosch bossing itFour wickets to completely derail TSK’s resurgence in the middle overs. He made sure the slight fightback they had with Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane’s partnership didn’t get things out of hand, and the Boult-Bosch combo wrapped up the last five wickets for just 25 runs, restricting TSK to a sub-par 152. Quinny and Monank, making sure there were no surprises Quinton de Kock: 26 runs | 16 balls | 2 fours | 2 sixes Monank Patel: 46 runs | 34 balls | 4 fours | 1 six They just killed the chase in the powerplay, deflating the bowlers with their attacking batting and setting the stage up for Nicky P……To do Nicky P thingsHe started off watchfully, made sure the asking rate was well under control, and then went on a rampage towards the end to give the net run-rate a massive boost up. With Monank first and then Kieron Pollard for company, he finished with a superb 46-ball 68, sealing the deal in style, in the 18th over itself. 

The result might not have been the one we were seeking against the Washington Freedom, but the confidence is there. The positives were there. There’s no time to brood with games coming thick and fast. It’s our chance to make this a happy weekend! The Texas Super Kings are coming off a Saturday loss as well. It’s an iconic rivalry with both team universes producing some epic games over the years. On a pitch that is a proven belter, let’s hope Sunday evening is reserved for an absolute nail-biter. With Kieron Pollard’s century having sent out the warning bugle to tell the world what is to come over the next month, and with Rushil Ugarkar’s big-hearted bowling effort, the tone is set. Let’s paint Texas in our Blue and Gold before we head out for the next leg, shall we? What: Texas Super Kings vs MI New York When: June 21, 2026 | 7:30pm local time (June 22,  6:00am IST)Where:  Grand Prairie Stadium, DallasWhat to expect: Another run-fest. Small boundaries, the flattest of pitches, and some of the most dangerous batters on display. We’re in for a show, folks!