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| @Mitchell celebrates after effecting a run out vs MI NewYork MLC2025 |
The Texas Super Kings (TSK) started the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season on June 14, 2025, with a thrilling 3-run win over MI New York (MINY) at the Oakland Coliseum in California. An action-packed encounter, this was the second game of the tournament and it witnessed some brilliant performances, tactical mastery and a nail-biting final over that had the fans glued to the seats. The game saw the competitive nature of MLC as disciplined bowling and determined batting of TSK dimmed the otherwise gallant chase by MINY, which was marked by the exemplary efforts on both parts.
Match Overview :
Captained by Faf du Plessis, the Texas Super Kings batters put up a competitive 185/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to an excellent batting performance and key efforts by the middle order. MI New York, after an valiant effort in the death overs led by Monank Patel and Michael Bracewell, came up just short at 183/8, as the TSK bowlers, especially Mitchell kept their composure in the last over to take the win. The game was a culmination of the all-round skills of TSK and their capability to play under pressure when it mattered the most.
2. Innings of Texas Super Kings: Setting the Target :
2.1 Initial Failure
- Texas were immediately put on the back foot: 97/5 after 12 overs thanks to a superb bowling performance by Michael Bracewell, Eshan Adil, Sunny Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Trent Boult
- The important wickets were those of Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Milind Kumar, and Donovan Ferreira
2.2 Conway Savage Rebuild
- Devon Conway (65 off 44 balls) was the calm aggressor of the chase - two fours and five sixes .
- Along with Calvin Savage (not out 53 off 34 balls)) whose scorching power-hitting in the death overs turned the tide,
- Their association had propelled Texas to 185/6 off their 20 overs- a perfect competitive score.
3.Chase: Rise, Fall, and Near Miracle of MI New York :
3.1 Struggling Beginning
New York got off to a bad start - all out 32/3 in the powerplay - their top three (Chopra, de Kock, Pooran) were back in the pavilion in a hurry
3.2 Recovery of Bracewell & Monank
The chase was rejuvenated by a well-composed alliance between Michael Bracewell (38 off 21) and Monank Patel (62 off 44)
Back-to-back 11, 16, 15, 14, and 17 overs propelled New York to 76 runs required off 48 balls
3.3 Seeming Control
Then with a clever combination of strength and rotation New York seemed to be driving home--Pollard, also, smacked 32 runs in 16 deliveries.
3.4 The Tipping Point: Run-Outs & Mitchell Magic
A collapse was caused by two consecutive run-outs of Pollard and Monank Patel
Both dismissals were initiated by Daryl Mitchell sharpness in the field- sharp concentration and accurate throws .
3.5 Nail-Biting Ending
At the start of the last over, MI New York required 9 runs to win off 6 balls
Mitchell, who had previously made boundary concessions, settled his nerves- bowled yorkers and slower balls and gave away only 5 runs
Outcome: Texas carried the day by 3 runs in a final ball thriller .
4. Player Performances: star of the show
4.1 Devon Conway (TSK)
Opened floating innings with 65 runs off 44 balls including five sixes- important foundation in the process of recompiling the innings .
4.2 Calvin Savage (TSK) – Player of the Match
Finisher of the great dimension: 53 off 34 balls, two sixes in the 19 th over, wrap up the momentum.
4.3 Daryl Mitchell (TSK)
Fielding hero- initiated two run-outs.
Pulled off a win with an overmastery last over: 4-0-53-0, but invaluable composure under pressure .
4.4 Monank Patel (MI NY)
Led New York recovery- 62 off 44 balls- a good indication though they lost.
4.5 Secondary Characters
The middle-order impetus and early wickets were supplied by Bracewell (38 off 21) and Pollard (32 off 16) as well as the New York bowlers.
On the side of Texas: Adam Milne (3 wickets) and Noor Ahmad contribute early on
5. Tactical insight & Turning points :
- Fielding First Decision
Pooran won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to take early wickets, however, Texas used powerplay advantages to their advantage and put up a good total on the board
- Early Bowling Supremacy
The pacers of MI NY (Milne, Adil, Ahmad) got rid of three main batters in the very beginning, making them collapse to 32/3
- Conway–Savage Partnership
Reconstructed the innings in an intelligent manner, changing the anchor-like approach to the blistering back-end.
- Run-Out Shockers
The brilliance in the field by Mitchell started the collapse of New York- two run-outs in a row of their important batters.
- Death-over Nerves
The calmness of Mitchell in the 20 th over, varying the lengths, yorkers, slower balls, so difficult under the pressure to finish the game
6. Interpretation of This Result :
- Texas Super Kings start their 2025 season on a momentum-driven victory.
- MI New York, despite the loss, demonstrated spirit- Patel, Bracewell, and Pollard point to the great middle-order potential.
- In the case of Texas: depth (Conway Savage) and clutch (fielding, death bowling) performance is a good sign moving forward.
7. Quotes & Atmosphere after the Match :
Faf du Plessis (TSK captain): Fielding and the contribution of Mitchell: “He bowled very well in the final over which was crucial…
Calvin Savage: “It was relaxing to bat with Devon… incredible team work in the last five overs.
Nicholas Pooran: Tough one… never over till last ball… its a game of cat and mouse
Oakland was electric- Coliseum atmosphere with fans on both sides seeing a final-ball finish
✍️ Concluding Words :
What game! Texas Super Kings beat MI New York by 3 runs after posting 185/6 courtesy of an anchor by Conway and a finish by Savage. New York mounted a fighting chase - Monank and Bracewell the motors - but two run-outs and Daryl Mitchell last-over brilliance derailed them. Both teams played out drama, skill and competitive brilliance in front of a spirited crowd in Oakland. Texas draw first blood- MI NY looked good but need to clean up final-over operations before their next appearances.
Brief Scores :
TSK Innings : 185/5 (20 Overs) Devon Conway 65 off 44 balls (2 fours And 5 Sixes), Calvin savage 53* off Balls (2 fours And 4 Sixes)
MI New York Bowling : Michael Bracewell 2/34 (4 Overs),Ehsan Adil 1/36 (4 overs).
MI New York innings : 182/8 (20 Overs) Monak Patel 62 off 44 Balls (7 Fours 2 Sixes), Michael Bracewell 38 off 21 Balls (3 Fours And 2 Sixes).
TSK Bowling : Adam Milne 3/22 (4 Overs), Noor Ahmed 1/33 (4 Overs).
Player of the Match : Calvin Savage
Result : Texas Super Kings Won by 3 Runs.