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MLC 2025: Washington Freedom history, top performers, schedule, squad

MLC 2025: Washington Freedom history, top performers, schedule, squad

Time of India2 days ago

Washington Freedom won the second edition of the MLC in 2024
MLC 2025:
From semi-final heartbreak in their debut season to championship glory in the second, Washington Freedom has fast become one of the most compelling teams in Major League Cricket (MLC).
With a balanced mix of seasoned internationals and domestic performers, the franchise now sets its sights on defending their crown in MLC 2025. Under the guidance of
Ricky Ponting
and the leadership of
Steven Smith
, Freedom will begin their campaign on 13 June against San Francisco Unicorns.
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Team Performance in 2023
In the inaugural edition of MLC, Washington Freedom finished third on the points table with three wins in five matches, securing a place in the playoffs.
However, their run was cut short in the eliminator by MI New York. Matt Short was their top scorer with 152 runs, while Saurabh Netravalkar impressed with 10 wickets, leading their bowling attack.
Team Performance in 2024
Freedom went one step further and beyond in MLC 2024, lifting their maiden title with a commanding 96-run win over San Francisco Unicorns in the final. Travis Head was named Player of the Tournament, scoring 336 runs in 9 innings—second only in the overall charts.
Steven Smith, their captain, also scored 336 runs at an average of 56.00, including a match-winning knock in the final that earned him Man of the Match. Saurabh Netravalkar continued his dominance, picking up 15 wickets, and Rachin Ravindra added 12 wickets, offering spin support and all-round value.
Squad in 2025
Steven Smith (captain), Mukhtar Ahmed, Mark Chapman, Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Jack Edwards, Ian Holland, Justin Dill, Mitchell Owen, Obus Pienaar, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Sears, Abhishek Paradkar, Amila Aponso, Yasir Mohammad, Andries Gous, Lahiru Milantha
Head Coach:
Ricky Ponting
Assistant Coach:
James Hopes
Captain:
Steve Smith
Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 1: Interview with Sanjog Gupta, CEO (Sports) at JioStar
Washington Freedom Fixtures
1) San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom: June 13 at 6.30 AM IST
2) Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom: June 15 at 6.30 AM IST
3) Washington Freedom vs LA Knight Riders: June 18 at 6.30 AM IST
4) MI New York vs Washington Freedom: June 22 at 5.30 AM IST
5) Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings: June 23 at 5.30 AM IST
6) LA Knight Riders vs Washington Freedom: June 27 at 5.30 AM IST
7) Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns: June 29 at 1.30 AM IST
8) Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom: July 3 at 4.30 AM IST
9) Washington Freedom vs Seattle Orcas: July 6 at 4.30 AM IST
10) Washington Freedom vs MI New York: July 7 at 12.30 AM IST

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French Open 2025: Plotting the contours of the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry - Men's tennis' new main-event
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French Open 2025: Plotting the contours of the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry - Men's tennis' new main-event

In the autumn of 2022, when 20-time Major winner Roger Federer announced his retirement, the world of tennis slipped into a state of near-eternal lament. There was the disappointment of not being able to watch one of the greatest players live anymore, but it was also about the end of the famed 40-match Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry which had defined the sport. Nadal, by then, had started hobbling again because of multiple injury setbacks and, in a curious twist of fate, did not go on to add to his then record 22 Majors. The other member of the 'Big Three', Novak Djokovic, was — and still is — around, prancing his way to the biggest titles, but the sport had seemingly lost the emotional hook that fans had hung on to for a good part of the previous two decades. Changing equation The Grand Slam tournaments — the crown jewels — where the 'Big Three' had long established fiefdoms, appeared ripe for new wannabe monarchs to battle it out. 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