MI New York (MINY) faced off against the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in an electrifying contest where MINY skipper Nicholas Pooran won the toss and opted to field first. TSK made full use of the batting conditions, putting up a mammoth total of 223/4 in their 20 overs. The innings was headlined by a magnificent century from veteran opener and captain Faf du Plessis, who scored 103 runs off just 53 balls, including five fours and nine towering sixes.
Donnovan Ferreira gave the innings late momentum with a blistering 53 off 20 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes. George Linde and Rushil Ugarkar were the most successful bowlers for MINY, picking up two wickets apiece.
The run-chase started with promise but didn’t quite go as planned for MI New York. Kieron Pollard was the standout performer, fighting a lone battle with the bat. The seasoned all-rounder smashed 70 off 39 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and five sixes. Quinton de Kock and Michael Bracewell offered some support with contributions of 35 and 26, respectively, but lacked the sustained partnerships needed to chase down the daunting target.
One of the most talked-about moments came during the final over of MINY’s innings. On the fourth delivery of the 20th over, bowled by Marcus Stoinis, Trent Boult was struck on the toes by a full delivery on the pads. Attempting a desperate single, Boult was caught short of his crease due to a pinpoint direct hit by wicketkeeper Smit Patel. The sharp fielding moment reduced MINY to 183/8 and killed any lingering hopes of a miraculous finish.
The drama didn’t stop there. On the very next delivery, Stoinis struck again, this time trapping Rushil Ugarkar leg-before-wicket. With two wickets falling in quick succession, MI New York found themselves completely derailed and managed only 184/9 in their full quota of overs. Stoinis’ final over sealed the game for Texas Super Kings, showcasing his composure and experience in pressure situations.
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Despite the loss, Pollard’s explosive knock was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing outing for MINY. The failure of the rest of the batting lineup to support him proved costly, as TSK clinched a convincing 39-run victory. With Faf’s century, Ferreira’s fireworks, and a disciplined bowling finish, Texas Super Kings sent a strong message to the rest of the league with this all-round performance.