
MI New York (MI NY) edged past Washington Freedom (WSF) by five runs in a thrilling final to win the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) title in Dallas. With 12 runs needed off the final over and big hitters Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips at the crease, Rushil Ugarkar held his nerve to bowl a brilliant over, conceding just six runs and picking up a crucial wicket to seal the win.
Chasing 180 to win, WSF suffered early damage as Mitchell Owen was dismissed for a golden duck. Andries Gous followed soon after, also without scoring, as Trent Boult picked up both wickets in the very first over.
Rachin Ravindra (70 off 41) and Jack Edwards (33 off 22) fought back with a powerful 84-run stand off just 45 balls, reviving WSF’s hopes. Later, Glenn Phillips anchored the chase with a valiant unbeaten 48 off 34, but with Maxwell struggling for rhythm (15 off 16), the pressure mounted in the final overs. WSF eventually finished on 175/5, falling just short.
Earlier, WSF won the toss and opted to bowl first. MI NY openers Quinton de Kock and Monank Patel gave their side a flying start. De Kock scored a brilliant 77 off 46, while Monank contributed 28 off 22, as they stitched a 72-run partnership in 7.1 overs.
Though the middle-order slowed slightly, Nicholas Pooran (21) and Kunwarjeet Singh’s unbeaten 22 ensured that MI NY posted a competitive total of 180/7 in their 20 overs.
“I Know What I’m Doing” – Ugarkar
Rushil Ugarkar, who bowled a match-winning final over and finished with figures of 2/32, was deservedly named the Player of the Match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he shared how he stayed calm under pressure:
“It’s still setting in slowly and slowly, but I’m excited. I was just telling him [Pooran], I know what I’m doing; let’s just keep talking every single ball to keep me calm. I felt the wicket was quite slow, so I wanted to make good use of the off-cutters that I had. That was the plan the entire time. I reckon initially, when I started the tournament, I was getting hit quite a bit, so it was just a matter of me coming back. So I started focusing a lot of my sessions, and just kept on playing and kept on bowling. The feeling is setting in slowly. I guess when we lift the trophy, it will probably get to me better.”
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he was also awarded the Most Valuable Player and Best U23 Player of the Tournament.
Mumbai Indians with their 13th global title
The Mumbai Indians franchise marks its 13th global title and third of the 2025 season. Speaking about the success and journey, the Ambani family shares in the proud moment as owners.
Mrs. Nita M. Ambani said, “What a truly special moment for the Mumbai Indians family! MI New York lifting their second MLC trophy in three years is not just a win on the field — it is a celebration of passion, belief, and teamwork. From the Women’s Premier League in India to championship victories in South Africa and now the USA, MI’s incredible journey across continents this year is a powerful reminder of how sport can build bridges and spread joy around the world. We are deeply grateful to all our fans — the MI Paltan — who have always stood by us and remain at the heart of our journey. My congratulations to every player, coach, supporter, and every member of our global MI family!”
Mr. Akash M. Ambani, said, “This is a humbling and proud moment for all of us at Mumbai Indians. MI New York lifting their second MLC title — as part of a title hat-trick this year across India, South Africa, and the USA — is deeply fulfilling. Yes, it’s about winning trophies, but equally, it’s about building a global cricketing platform that gives talent the opportunity to shine and fans a reason to dream. This success reflects years of belief, culture, and commitment across our teams. Congratulations to every team member at MI New York who made this moment possible.”
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