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Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Best performances in Major League Cricket
MI NY won MLC in 2023 and Washington Freedom won the title in 2024 (Image via X/@WSHFreedom) From its birth two years ago, Major League Cricket (MLC) has taken shape as the premier T20 competition in the United States. The competition came into existence in 2023. With the perfect balance of domestic talent and foreign stars, the month-long tournament is a spectacle for those that enjoy the sport. MI New York were crowned as champions in the inaugural edition and Washington Freedom triumphed in 2024. The past two editions have featured some of the most exciting and thrilling clashes, with several standout players. Familiar names like Nicholas Pooran and Faf du Plessis have topped the run-scoring charts, while domestic stars like Saurabh Netravalkar also made headlines. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! With the 2025 edition set to commence on June 13, here's a look at some of the best performances in the MLC till date. Steve Smith (2024 final) : The Washington Freedom skipper played a huge role in his side clinching their first MLC title in 2024. The Australian finished the 2024 campaign with the second-most runs and joint-most for the franchise (336 runs). In the final against San Francisco Unicorns, Smith was adjudged Player of the Match for his crucial 52-ball 88, despite being pitted against the likes of Pat Cummins and Haris Rauf. Saurabh Netravalkar's 6/9 vs San Francisco Unicorns (2023) : Netravalkar's spell of six wickets against San Francisco Unicorns in the inaugural edition of the MLC remains the best bowling figures in the competition. His inimitable spell for Washington Freedom also helped him clinch third spot in the list of highest wicket-takers in the 2023 edition. In the 2024 campaign, Netravalkar shone brilliantly with the ball. He took 15 wickets last year, beating the second-highest wicket-taker Rachin Ravindra by 3 scalps. Muhammad Mohsin's 4/14 vs San Francisco Unicorns (2024) : The Texas Super Kings all-rounder made headlines with a sensational spell in July 2024. The Pakistani cricketer's immaculate spell against the San Francisco Unicorns remains his best in the competition. The 29-year-old claimed 4 SFU wickets, while conceding just 13 runs in the process. Mohsin also maintained his economy rate at an impressive 3.39. Faf du Plessis's 72 off 47 balls for Texas Super Kings eliminates title holders MI NY (2024) : Even though TSK failed to make it to the final of the MLC in the 2023 and 2024 editions, star man and skipper Faf du Plessis led the way in runs for his side and topped the charts as well. His 420 from 8 innings had some memorable performances along the way. Notably, the South African made a brilliant 72 off 47 balls for TSK in the 2024 Eliminator to knock out reigning champions MI New York. Nicholas Pooran's 137* for MI New York vs Seattle Orcas : The West Indian batsman topped the run-scoring charts in the MLC 2023 season. As MI NY won the MLC title in the first season, Pooran set a record that is yet to be broken. His score of 137 not out against the Seattle Orcas remains till date, the highest score by a batter in MLC. Incidentally, the player saved his very best for last, as the knock came in the final - a perfect stage to shine. Chasing a target of 184, the left-handed batter made easy work of the target, helping MI chase things down with four overs and 7 wickets to spare. With the 2025 season approaching, fans can expect more fierce match-ups, increased firepower and planning from all six sides. The first game of the season features the San Francisco Unicorns taking on 2024 champions Washington Freedom on June 12. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Faf du Plessis, Travis Head, Saurabh Netravalkar among top performers in MLC Season 2
Faf du Plessis (X Photo) The second season of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024 witnessed a significant expansion, growing from 19 matches in the inaugural 2023 edition to 25 matches. Washington Freedom emerged as the dominant force, topping the league stage with five wins from seven games (including one no result) and went on to clinch the title with a commanding 96-run win over San Francisco Unicorns in the final. The playoffs also featured Texas Super Kings and defending champions MI New York, but it was Washington's all-round strength that shone through the tournament. Their players dominated both the run-scorers and wicket-takers charts, underlining their superiority across departments. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Despite Washington's team success, the top run-scorer of the season was Texas Super Kings' veteran batter Faf du Plessis , who amassed 420 runs in 8 games at a blistering strike rate of 171.42. He was followed by Washington Freedom's Australian duo Steve Smith and Travis Head, who both scored 336 runs. Head was particularly impactful and was deservedly named Most Valuable Player of the season. Who's that IPL player? San Francisco Unicorns' aggressive batter Finn Allen also impressed with 306 runs from nine matches, while Texas Super Kings' Devon Conway rounded off the top five with 293 runs. On the bowling front, Washington's Saurabh Netravalkar led the charts with 15 wickets, followed by teammate Rachin Ravindra with 12. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A perfect start needs the perfect ride – Shine 125! Honda Learn More Undo Marco Jansen (Washington Freedom) and Cameron Gannon (Seattle Orcas) shared the third spot with 11 wickets each. More Than a Team: The Rise of CSK & the Whistle Podu Army The joint fifth position in the wicket-takers list featured a four-way tie with 10 wickets apiece – Glenn Maxwell and Lockie Ferguson (Washington), Hassan Khan (San Francisco Unicorns), and Rashid Khan (MI New York). Notably, Hassan Khan was recognised as the Domestic Player of the Season for his crucial performances. Overall, Washington Freedom's dominance ensured their players featured prominently among the season's standout performers, making MLC Season 2 a showcase of both international firepower and domestic promise. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2024 Bowling stats recap: Saurabh Netravalkar tops wickets in second edition
Saurabh Netravalkar claimed an impressive 15 wickets in the MLC in 2024 (Image via X/@WSHFreedom) While International stars had their fair share of the spotlight in last season's MLC, it was a domestic player that ended up topping the charts among bowlers. While MI New York's Trent Boult topped the wicket charts with 22 wickets in the 2023 edition, the American Saurabh Netravalkar shone among bowlers with an impressive total of 15 last year. His heroics played a huge role in Washington Freedom winning their first-ever MLC crown in 2024. Netravalkar made quite the name for himself with his 15 wickets, besting the other bowlers in contention by a three-wicket margin. Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand, playing alongside Netravalkar also claimed an impressive 12 wickets in 7 matches. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Additionally, Washington Freedom bowlers dominated the rankings among bowlers, with three in the top five and five in the top ten. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep 5: Shane Watson on how IPL gave him a lifeline & his tribute to Phil Hughes A number of notable spells headlined the 2024 season for bowlers. In particular, Rachin Ravindra's 4 for 11 against the San Francisco Unicorns and his 4/16 against the Texas Super Kings were some of the very best the tournament had on display. Additionally, Mohammad Mohsin's 4 for 13 against the San Francisco Unicorns also deserves mention. Poll Which bowling spell in MLC 2024 impressed you the most? Rachin Ravindra's 4/11 Mohammad Mohsin's 4/13 Trent Boult's overall wickets Saurabh Netravalkar's 15 wickets In terms of economy figures, Rachin Ravindra's 4.81 takes top spot. He is the only bowler in the league to concede under five runs per over. As the 2025 edition of the MLC prepares to get underway on 13th June, teams will look to bolster their bowling line-up. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2024 stats recap: Faf du Plessis steals spotlight with the bat in second edition
Faf du Plessis scored a whopping 420 runs in 10 games for the Texas Super Kings in 2024 in the MLC (Image via X/@TexasSuperKings) With the inaugural season in 2023 establishing the potential of Major League Cricket as the flagship T20 competition in America, competition between the six competing teams increased manifold in the second season of the competition. Played across two venues - Church Street Park in North Carolina and Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas, the 25-game tournament saw a fierce battle for the trophy. While the San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, Texas Super Kings and MI New York made the playoffs, the season finale saw Washington Freedom demolish San Francisco Unicorns in the final by a whopping 96 runs to become first-time champions. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Top Run-Scorers While Nicholas Pooran finished top of the list of highest run-getters in 2023, the West Indian was dethroned by South Africa's Faf du Plessis in 2024. In a top five list dominated by Australians and New Zealanders, Du Plessis's scintillating 420 runs from 8 matches marked bested the likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head. Donning the jersey of the Texas Super Kings, Du Plessis eclipsed the inaugural top scorer record by 32 runs. Despite his side not making the final, his 3 fifties and one century was undisputedly the best in the tournament. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep 5: Shane Watson on how IPL gave him a lifeline & his tribute to Phil Hughes Other top run-getters Steve Smith (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs Travis Head (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs Finn Allen (San Francisco Unicorns) : 306 runs Devon Conway (Texas Super Kings) : 293 runs Highest Individual Scores Ryan Rickelton - 103 not out Finn Allen - 101 Faf du Plessis - 100 Ryan Rickelton - 89 Steve Smith - 88 Strike Rate leaders (At least 20 balls faced) Finn Allen - 187.73 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tired of High Power Bills? Plug in This Device elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Matthew Short - 180.85 Rashid Khan - 178.02 Travis Head - 173.20 Faf du Plessis - 171.43 While Finn Allen also finished fourth in the list of top scorers in 2024, the Kiwi's two explosive fifties and another century make him one of the most threatening batter of the previous season. Poll Do you believe Major League Cricket can grow to rival other international T20 leagues? Yes, definitely No, it lacks appeal Maybe, with more exposure Big Hitters - Most Sixes Faf du Plessis - 23 sixes Steve Smith - 21 sixes Finn Allen - 20 sixes Travis Head - 18 sixes Matthew Short - 14 sixes While Du Plessis led the list for most runs, the South African also became a nightmare for bowlers through his consistency in hitting over the fence. His 23 sixes stand tall, but nowhere close to Pooran's humongous 34 maximums in the inaugural season. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
San Francisco Unicorns sign rising Aussie spinner Callum Stow for MLC 2025
San Francisco Unicorns add Australian bowler Callum Stow The San Francisco Unicorns have finalised their squad for the upcoming 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season with the signing of promising Australian wrist spinner Callum Stow. At just 22, Stow is emerging as one of Australia's most exciting spin prospects. He recently made his Big Bash League (BBL) debut for the Melbourne Renegades, stepping in for the iconic Nathan Lyon while he was on international duty. Operation Sindoor How India shut down Pakistan's second desperate bid to escalate tensions Pak used civilian planes as shield to launch failed drone attack: India S-400, Spyder, Akash: What is in India's air defence arsenal? In two BBL appearances, Stow impressed by picking up three wickets at an economy rate of 7.75. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The left-arm wrist spinner also made headlines during the 2024 Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana, where he bagged nine wickets in five matches for Cricket Victoria . There, he shared the field with several current Unicorns players, including Corey Anderson, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and Karima Gore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo IPL 2025 suspended: What happens next? Reflecting on his journey, Stow said, 'The last few months have been a whirlwind, making the jump from Geelong to the Renegades, and now to Major League Cricket with the Unicorns. I can't wait to get started in the USA. Playing with the likes of Corey [Anderson] and other Unicorns players in the GSL has given me an idea of the high standards and quality culture we're looking to build in San Francisco. And with Shane's coaching, this is a huge opportunity for me to show what I'm about and to continue my development as a T20 bowler.' Unicorns head coach Shane Watson praised the signing, adding: 'We've been keeping an eye on Callum's development for a while now. Having broken into the BBL earlier this year, it's clear he's ready for the next step in T20 cricket. His skillset and confidence will be a big asset, and the surprise factor of an unfamiliar spinner can be a real game-changer across the different pitches we'll play on this season.' Quiz: Who's that IPL player? The San Francisco Unicorns begin their MLC 2025 campaign on June 12 at the Oakland Coliseum against the Washington Freedom, followed by home clashes with the LA Knight Riders and MI New York. They'll then travel to Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas for four matches, before concluding the league stage with three games at Broward County Stadium in Florida – including a highly anticipated West Coast derby rematch with the Knight Riders. The playoffs will return to Grand Prairie. About the San Francisco Unicorns Formed in 2023 as one of six founding franchises of Major League Cricket, the San Francisco Unicorns have quickly become a flagship team in American cricket. Their home base is the historic Oakland Coliseum, and the team features international stars such as Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Finn Allen, and Liam Plunkett. The Unicorns' high-performance partner is Cricket Victoria, the governing body for the sport in the Australian state of Victoria. The franchise is backed by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, founders of and former creators of Junglee, acquired by Amazon in 1998 for $250 million.
