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Under the partly cloudy skies of Texas, the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 grand finale delivered a thrilling spectacle as underdogs MI New York (MINY) clashed with top-seeded Washington Freedom. MINY, often considered the bottom dwellers, proved their mettle, seizing the championship trophy in a nail-biting finish.

Washington Freedom won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to exploit early conditions. MINY, however, came out swinging. Quinton de Kock led the charge with a blistering 77 runs off just 46 balls, setting the tone for an explosive innings. He was ably supported by leading run-scorer Monank Patel and Nicholas Pooran, who kept the scoreboard ticking. At one point, MINY seemed poised to breach the 200-run mark, but Lockie Ferguson’s brilliant bowling spell reined them in, restricting them to 180 runs in their 20 overs. While 10-20 runs short of a daunting total, the pressure of a final made this a challenging target.

MINY’s bowling attack, led by Trent Boult, came out firing. Boult struck twice in the first over, dismantling Freedom’s top order and piling pressure on the chasing side during the powerplay. With the game slipping away, Rachin Ravindra and Jack Edwards showed composure, stabilizing the innings and clawing Freedom back into contention. The match hung in the balance as Glenn Phillips unleashed a counterattack, keeping Freedom’s hopes alive.

The Dramatic Finale

The game boiled down to the final over, with Freedom needing 13 runs to win. MINY handed the ball to 22-year-old Rushil Ugarkar, a bold choice by the captain. Ugarkar rose to the occasion, bowling with remarkable poise and precision. His tight lines and nerve held firm, restricting Freedom to just 7 runs in the over. MINY clinched a 5-run victory, securing their second MLC championship in three years.

Rushil Ugarkar: The Hero of the Hour

Ugarkar’s heroics in the final over earned him the MVP award, a testament to his composure under pressure. His performance capped a remarkable season for MINY, who defied expectations to lift the trophy.

The MLC 2025 final was a fitting culmination of an exhilarating season. The clash showcased the league’s growing competitiveness, with standout performances from veterans like de Kock and Boult, alongside emerging talents like Ugarkar. This thrilling finale sets an exciting tone for the future of Major League Cricket, promising more unforgettable moments in the years to come.

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