WF VS MINY FINAL

Nicky P walks across to the dais to lift the trophy and the MI New York jump in joy! Pop goes the confetti and the celebrations begin! It has been a wonderful year for the MI franchise. Made it to the playoffs in every tournament that they participated so far - Eliminator in ILT20, champions in SA20, Qualifier 2 in IPL and now, champions in MLC as well. As far as MI New York are concerned, they would be pumped up to win twice in three seasons but would want to just be a bit more consistent in the starting stages. But if the results are so fruitful, will anyone care how the season went? Let us not dwell on it either. It is the time to celebrate for MI and contemplate for some other teams. Washington will feel hard done by, as they were nearly flawless throughout the season. But if it is not meant to be, it won't be. But they can be proud of themselves for having a dream season. That's all we have for you from MLC 2025. Thank you for tuning in and hope you enjoyed our coverage. Looking forward to more endeavours in future. We take your leave for now, but do remember to catch all the action from the international arena - WI-Aus, ZIM-SA-NZ triseries, SL-Ban and Eng-Ind. As far as domestic is concerned, the Global Super League is in its business end. So have fun. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious captain of MI New York, NICHOLAS POORAN, comes up with a big smile for a chat. Starts by thanking the Almighty and then goes on to say that he is feeling really great, not just because they won but with how challenging it has been for them. Adds that the journey is something to be savoured in their sport and says that the management staff, the coaching staff and all the players stuck together and executed things well. On handing the last over to Rushil Ugarkar, Pooran says that he has improved throughout the tournament and is capable of bowling the tough overs. Reckons that the young players have grabbed their opportunities with both hands. Further adds that he had a word with Rushil and is really happy to see him do well. Mentions that they knew they had to trust the guys, especially the local players and so many of their games went to the final over. Mentions that there is something about the MI franchise and no wonder they have had so much success.

The winning team gets its medals now.

Washington Freedom's MITCHELL OWEN HAS BEEN ADJUDGED AS THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT. With the bat, he scored 313 runs at a strike rate of 194.4, while with the ball, he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 19.85. On how he feels on watching some of his highlights of the season, Owen says that it would have been nice to replicate some of that in the final but it didn't happen and he feels a bit disappointed. Adds that he is very grateful for the opportunity Washington Freedom gave him to bat up top and encouraged him to bowl as well. Mentions that it is a bit tough to summarize things right now but is definitely grateful for the opportunity he got.

MI New York's MONANK PATEL receives the award for being the LEADING RUN GETTER OF MLC 2025. Scored 478 runs at a strike rate of 142.26, which included 4 half centuries.

San Francisco Unicorns' XAVIER BARTLETT HAS BEEN ADJUDGED AS THE LEADING WICKET TAKER OF THE TOURNAMENT. Picked up 18 wickets at an average of 19.77. Corey Anderson receives the award on his behalf.

MI New York's MONANK PATEL HAS BEEN ADJUDGED AS THE DOMESTIC PLAYER OF MLC 2025. It is known as John Barton King award, who is regarded as the best player ever to have played cricket for the United States Of America. Monank says that he was following the advice of his batting coach and wanted to be consistent and luckily for him, it worked out. Says that he wanted to take responsibility up top and score big runs and adds that he knows that if he takes 15-20 balls, he can get set and kick on from there. Ends by saying that there is a very chilled out vibe in the camp.

MI New York's RUSHIL UGARKAR is adjudged as the BEST UNDER 23 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT. He ended up with 11 wickets in the season, at an average of 21.36.

MI New York's RUSHIL UGARKAR HAS BEEN ADJUDGED AS THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE FINAL. He starts by saying that it is setting in slowly. Adds that he told Nicholas Pooran that he was clear with what he wanted to do and adds that the pitch was on the slower side, so looked to use the cutters. Mentions that he didn't start well but it was all about making a comeback and ends by saying that he's played in finals before but not on such a grand scale.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

The skipper of Washington Freedom, GLENN MAXWELL, says that it is a bitter pill to swallow but credits the MI bowlers for the way they came back into the game. On the total, Maxi feels that it was chaseable and they were in a good position but just couldn't get over the line. Adds that both he and Phillips tried their best but the bowlers executed well. On Rushil Ugarkar, Maxwell says that the conditions suited him and he bowled well.

Still some time for the presentation to begin. Let's have a look back, shall we? Just a bit? Washington Freedom played like defending champions. 8 wins out of 10 games prior to the playoffs. But lack of cricket for roughly a week derailed their momentum. MI New York  - the least of the four teams expected to make it to the playoffs. They lost 6 out of their first 7 games, but ended up winning 5 out of their next 6, including the final. There is no justice to see the team which was consistent through the league stage, not lift the trophy, but that's why we have the knockouts, don't we? Again, that debate will kick in - should we have a best of 3? But then, for how many games? Just the final, or for each of the last 3 playoffs? It is what it is.

Who is up next? Ahhh... a couple. Nikhil Uttamchandani is having a word with Tristan Luus and MINY's bowling coach MITCHELL MCCLENAGHAN. Luus says that he was training hard and waiting to make the most of the opportunity, whenever that came and credits the management for how they handled things. McClengahan says that they were dealt a blow with Naveen-ul-Haq pulling out early and the way the two youngsters - Rushil Ugarkar and Tristan Luus stepped up - was amazing to see.

TRENT BOULT is up next. Has a chuckle about the vast number of titles the MI franchise has won and reckons that he's been a part of a few of those as well. Adds that Washington Freedom had a sensational season but believes that a few of MI New York's young players did very well, giving credit to Rushil Ugarkar for holding his nerves. He further credits the management and coaching staff to develop such young talents.

KIERON POLLARD is now having a chat with Nikhil Uttamchandani. He starts by saying that the players have fought extremely well and it is probably in the DNA of the MI franchise and one should never count them out. On his season, he says that he hadn't played much cricket in 2025 and after the passing of his mother, he felt motivated to come back and this one feels a bit more special.

The head coach of MI New York, MARK BOUCHER, is having a word with Matthew Hayden. Starts by giving kudos to his team. Believes that with the way the season started, to be here and to win is a big deal. On his rivalry with Ricky Ponting, Washington's coach, Boucher says that if he is in competition with Ponting, then it is a good one because he is a fantastic coach. Mentions that it is all about sticking together even when you are down and that's what they did.

Earlier in the game, with rain and all forecast, Glenn Maxwell chose to field, for a variety of reasons. One was of course the weather, while the other was just the trend. However, multiple factors went against them. First, the rain did not arrive at all. Second, this was a used pitch. This came to the fore post the 15th over in both innings, where both sides struggled to score against the old ball. MI New York managed just 35/5 in their last 5 overs. Washington Freedom did not lose much wickets, but could score only 46 runs. Quinton de Kock's terrific 77 took MI to 180, which looked around 200 at one stage, unattained due to the collapse at the death. Lockie Ferguson turned things around with the ball, claiming 3 wickets but the others were largely inconsistent.

Heart-wrenching game for Washington. They were in control for a major portion of the game, through a career-best 70 from Rachin Ravindra. They got a jolt in the opening over, losing two wickets but were revived through the 84-run stand between Ravindra and Jack Edwards. However, once Edwards departed, the momentum just slipped away from the Freedom, despite not having a collapse. The margin of defeat is only 5 runs, so it was all about maximizing one more over. But it wasn't to be. Glenn Phillips tried hard with an unbeaten 48 but his slow start perhaps dented the momentum from the third-wicket stand.

This is what champions are made off. 83/2 after 8 overs, equation reading 98 from 72 balls. MI New York had their backs against the wall, but the dressing room maintained that they cannot be giving up. Wickets were hard to come by, so they changed the pace brilliantly and choked the batters. The choke was started by Nosthush Kenjige and Tajinder Singh while at the death, Trent Boult, Tristan Luus and Rushil Ugarkar were excellent. There aren't any outstanding figures in the bowling, because in the first half, everyone went for plenty. But it is always not about how you start. It is about how you finish.

Tremendous victory for the MI franchise. IPL, SA20, MLC - how on earth, do they do this time and again? Of course, they did not win the IPL this season, but here, in the MLC, they lost 6 out of their first 7 games! And yet, it will be they who will be lifting the trophy! Second trophy for the MI franchise, after their victory in the SA20 through MI Cape Town.