TSK hope to cross the Challenger hurdle; MI NY eye another final

After having lost six out of their first seven games, and spending much time of the last month closer to the bottom end of the table, MI New York somehow find themselves one stop short of a shot at the title of Major League Cricket 2025. The turn of events in their last four games, which included three victories, has been pivotal to their march to the Challengers, where they are set to face Texas Super Kings, a team against whom they've lost both their league stage encounters this season.

That shouldn't be a worry for MINY though. Afterall, they had lost both their league encounters against San Francisco Unicorns as well before they played out yet another thrilling game against them to remain alive in the competition. It was the first time they had managed to come out on the winning side of a close encounter after having squandered several chances through the tournament, none worse than their opening clash of the season against Super Kings.

Unlike Unicorns though, Super Kings have sustained their momentum even in the second half of the league phase. Heading into the playoffs, they had won four out of their last five games, with the only loss being a one-run defeat against Unicorns. Yet, they will be well aware that the history counts for nothing in the must-win game. Yet again, like they have done for most of the tournament, they need put up a performance that the Nicholas Pooran-led side, on an upswing, will be unable to counter.

When: Friday, July 11, 2025, 7:00 PM Local Time/ 5:30 AM IST (July 12)

Where: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

What to expect: Rain did play a part in the last two games at the venue. It is expected to be partly cloudy. The scores at the venue have been usually high, but it remains to be seen how weather impacts the conditions.

Team News:

MI New York: There won't be any good reason for MINY to tinker with their combination.

Probable XI: Monank Patel, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Michael Bracewell, Kieron Pollard, Tajinder Dhillon, Heath Richards, Tristan Luus, Trent Boult, Noshthush Kenjige, Rushil Ugarkar

Texas Super Kings: There is minimal scope for change in TSK's line-up

Probable XI: Faf du Plessis, Smit Patel, Sai Teja Mukkammala, Marcus Stoinis, Shubham Ranjane, Donovan Ferreira, Calvin Savage, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Zia ul Haq, Adam Milne