Latest news with #WashingtonFreedom
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC: San Francisco Unicorns' matches to be Live on NBC Sports, in collaboration with Willow by Cricbuzz
All San Francisco Unicorns matches in the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season — including three marquee fixtures at the iconic Oakland Coliseum — will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California, in collaboration with Willow by Cricbuzz. Building on a successful partnership in 2024, a total of ten league-stage matches will be televised, bringing elite cricket action to Northern California fans. The broadcast slate features the Unicorns' highly anticipated homecoming clashes against Washington Freedom, LA Knight Riders, and MI New York, from June 12–15, 2025. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! This marks a historic first as professional cricket arrives in the Bay Area, with the Oakland Coliseum set to host top-tier domestic T20 action. The season opener on June 12 sees the Unicorns take on Washington Freedom — a rematch of the 2024 Championship Game — at 6:00 PM PT. Willow by Cricbuzz, the exclusive 24/7 cricket network in North America and MLC's official streaming partner, will deliver expert coverage and commentary throughout the season, making cricket more accessible than ever for both die-hard fans and newcomers. More Than a Team: The Rise of CSK & the Whistle Podu Army David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns, said: 'We're thrilled to partner with NBC Sports and Willow by Cricbuzz to bring Unicorns cricket straight into homes across the Bay Area. Playing locally for the first time is a huge milestone, and this exposure will help grow the game at the grassroots and inspire a new generation of players.' Ben Rodrigues, Senior Director of Multi-Platform Programming at NBC Sports Bay Area, added: 'Major League Cricket is gaining serious traction in the U.S., especially in the Bay Area. The Unicorns' commitment to the region is commendable, and we're proud to showcase their journey as they chase MLC glory in 2025.' Todd Myers, COO of Willow by Cricbuzz, said: 'This partnership strengthens our mission to bring world-class cricket to American audiences. With NBC Sports' reach and our premium coverage, fans in one of the league's most passionate markets will enjoy the best of MLC 2025.' Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain San Francisco Unicorns – MLC 2025 League Stage Fixtures: Thu, June 12 – vs. Washington Freedom (Oakland) Sat, June 14 – vs. LA Knight Riders (Oakland) Sun, June 15 – vs. MI New York (Oakland) Fri, June 20 – vs. Texas Super Kings (Grand Prairie, TX) Mon, June 23 – vs. MI New York (Grand Prairie, TX) Wed, June 25 – vs. Seattle Orcas (Grand Prairie, TX) Sat, June 28 – vs. Washington Freedom (Grand Prairie, TX) Tue, July 1 – vs. Seattle Orcas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Fri, July 4 – vs. Texas Super Kings (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Sun, July 6 – vs. LA Knight Riders (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 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
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
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Major League Cricket: How Washington Freedom fared in the first two seasons
Washington Freedom Season 1 Recap (2023) Washington Freedom had a promising debut season in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023, finishing third on the points table with three wins in five matches. They secured a place in the playoffs. However, their campaign ended in the eliminator, where they lost to MI New York. Matt Short was the standout performer with the bat, finishing as Freedom's leading run-scorer with 152 runs. On the bowling front, Saurabh Netravalkar led the attack with 10 wickets, emerging as the team's most successful bowler. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Season 2 Glory (2024) The second season saw a complete turnaround. Washington Freedom went on to clinch their maiden MLC title, defeating San Francisco Unicorns comprehensively in the final by a massive margin of 96 runs. Ajinkya Rahane reflects on KKR's inconsistent IPL 2025, backs under-fire Venkatesh Iyer The triumph was led by a formidable performance from Travis Head, who was named Player of the Tournament. Head amassed 336 runs in 9 innings and finished as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament overall. Skipper Steven Smith was equally pivotal, scoring 336 runs at an impressive average of 56.00, and was named Man of the Match in the final. In the bowling department, Saurabh Netravalkar once again delivered, picking up 15 wickets and continuing to be a key figure in their setup. Rachin Ravindra also made a significant impact with the ball, claiming 12 wickets in the season. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Despite their success, Washington Freedom face a few setbacks heading into the 2025 season. Travis Head is set to skip the tournament owing to his self-imposed cap of participating in only two franchise leagues per year while he remains an active Test cricketer. Additionally, Australia's scheduled Test series in the West Indies will also rule out Pat Cummins, who is contracted with the San Francisco Unicorns. Freedom, however, has managed to retain its captain Steven Smith, although his full availability remains uncertain due to Australia's red-ball commitments. The franchise has retained the highest number of both domestic and international players among all MLC teams. Key overseas stars like Glenn Maxwell, Jack Edwards (Australia), and Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) are all set to return for the title defence. On the other hand, the team has released Akeal Hosein, Andrew Tye, and Travis Head ahead of the new season. With a strong core and solid retention strategy, Washington Freedom will be aiming to overcome personnel challenges and continue their winning momentum in the 2025 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
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.
