Monank Patel bats for greater domestic representation in MLC playing XIs

USA captain Monank Patel, currently leading the run charts with two league games to go, has lauded the performances of domestic players in this year's MLC. He contends that the consistent impact made by domestic talent this season has not only exceeded expectations but also strengthened the case for a potential reduction in the foreign player quota.

If the league is indeed considering realigning the current six-foreigner rule to five or fewer next season, the MINY opener feels the domestic players' performances this year should serve as a strong endorsement in support of that shift.

"As you see, the 40-odd games we played this season, every domestic player from different teams has been performing when you talk about bowling, fielding or batting. There are a few players who've been consistent. Also the two seasons which we played has helped us to gain the experience and we know how to perform.

"And you know those small mistakes which we used to do before, we're not repeating. And there are a lot of match-winning innings and bowling spells from a lot of players. So I feel like I'm no one to decide, but everyone can see it, and if there's a decision to be made they'll be more confident to make that decision," said Monank.

Monank catapulted himself to the top of the run charts this season with his fourth half-century, helping MI New York stay alive in the race for the fourth playoff spot which has intensified after Seattle Orcas' late resurgence. He has now amassed 359 runs in 8 innings at a blistering strike rate of 154.

On a slightly dodgy wicket under overcast skies, Monank produced a masterful knock of 56 off 44 deliveries in a tricky chase of 155. In a 112-run second-wicket stand with captain Nicholas Pooran, it was Monank, the domestic player who looked the more reassuring presence at the crease and more in control of the chase than his senior partner.

It isn't the first time Pooran's extraordinary batting prowess has been overshadowed by a domestic batter. Tajinder Singh's swashbuckling 95 off 35 pushed Pooran to play second fiddle of sorts despite his own magnificent hundred in the game against Seattle Orcas. Unmukt Chand, LAKR's lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable campaign, has similarly stepped up to spare his side a few blushes. Chand has been a stand out at LAKR with a couple of half centuries amidst heavy West Indian batting power that has largely remained underwhelming. The story was much the same with Shayan Jahangir, who held his own until Shimron Hetmyer found his groove and hit a hot streak.

Critics may argue that in the absence of top-tier overseas fast bowling, some of these batting numbers are slightly inflated. But the counterargument is hard to ignore. These performances have come on the very same flat decks in Dallas where seasoned international stars are expected to dominate and separate themselves with their power-hitting.

That gap, however, has been notably narrower this season. Domestic players like Monank , Chand, Shayan Jahangir, Shubham Ranjane, and Sanjay Krishnamurthi have matched their overseas counterparts, stroke for stroke. Especially 22-year-old Sanjay, whose brute power and conviction to go for the full monty has belied his age and physique.

Monank credited head coach Mark Boucher for broadening his outlook and redefining his role within the MI New York batting unit ahead of the tournament. In the previous two seasons, Monank largely viewed himself as a support act tasked with seeing off the powerplay before handing over the reins to the foreign superstars. But under Boucher's tutelage, he was encouraged to take center stage, to stop looking over his shoulder at the bigger names but instead carry the team on those broad shoulders the same way he has been doing it for USA over the years.

"At the start of the season, he shared a few things that gave us good self confidence. He asked us domestics to own this tournament through our performances. He was like this is your local tournament. Foreign players may be here to support but at the end of the day this platform is for us to make a real impact."