Related Articles
The Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season reaches its climax as defending champions Washington Freedom face MI New York in the Grand Final at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. After a month of intense cricket, these two sides have emerged as the best of the tournament. Washington Freedom had a dominant league phase, winning eight out of ten matches and finishing on top of the table. MI New York, meanwhile, struggled early but found their rhythm late, storming into the final with thrilling wins over San Francisco Unicorns and Texas Super Kings.
This match promises to be a high-stakes battle between a well-settled Washington side and a resurgent MI squad. With both teams possessing world-class talent, the game could go down to the wire.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Washington Freedom vs MI New York (Final) |
| Date & Time | July 28, 2025 |
| Venue | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, USA |
| Format | T20 |
| Live Streaming | Willow TV, FanCode |
Team Previews
Washington Freedom Preview
Washington Freedom has been the most consistent team in MLC 2025, finishing the league stage with an impressive record of 8 wins from 10 games. Despite rain disrupting their Qualifier 1 against Texas Super Kings, they secured a direct entry into the final due to their top-table finish.
Mitchell Owen has been the standout performer, scoring 313 runs at a strike rate of 195.62. His aggressive approach sets the tone for the innings. Andries Gous and Glenn Maxwell provide stability in the middle order, with Maxwell contributing crucial runs under pressure. Rachin Ravindra offers flexibility at the top or in the middle.
Their bowling unit is deep and varied — Jack Edwards and Mitchell Owen lead the pace attack, while Ian Holland and Saurabh Netravalkar offer control and wicket-taking ability. Lockie Ferguson adds express pace, and Glenn Maxwell chips in with useful off-spin. Washington enters this match as slight favorites with superior consistency and experience.
MI New York Preview
MI New York endured a rocky start to the tournament, managing only two wins from their first eight games. However, they turned things around dramatically, securing back-to-back playoff victories to reach the final. Monank Patel has been the backbone of the batting lineup, scoring 450 runs at a strike rate of 143.31. Quinton de Kock provides a stable start, while Nicholas Pooran has rediscovered his form with scores of 108*, 62*, and 52* in key matches.
Michael Bracewell and Kieron Pollard bring explosive power in the death overs, capable of turning matches single-handedly. Trent Boult leads the bowling attack with 13 wickets, supported by Rushil Ugarkar and Nosthush Kenjige. While the unit lacks depth compared to Washington, their recent performances suggest they can deliver under pressure.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reason |
|---|---|
| Washington Freedom | Washington Freedom has not lost to MI New York in head-to-head contests this season and boasts a more balanced squad. Their batting is deeper, and their bowling has more variety and experience. MI relies heavily on Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard, which makes them vulnerable if they lose early wickets. Washington’s strong record at this venue and throughout the tournament gives them the edge. Unless MI delivers a near-perfect performance, Washington should clinch another title. |
Fantasy Team XI (Recommended Lineup)
| Player | Position | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Owen | Opening Batsman | WAF | Explosive opener; dangerous striker |
| Monank Patel | Opening Batsman | MINY | Consistent performer; solid base for MI |
| Glenn Phillips | Middle Order Batter | WAF | Finisher; hard-hitting lower-order batsman |
| Nicholas Pooran (VC) | Middle Order Batter | MINY | Game-changer; explosive finisher |
| Glenn Maxwell (C) | All-Rounder | WAF | Captaincy value + all-round impact |
| Kieron Pollard | All-Rounder | MINY | Finisher; big-hitter in death overs |
| Andries Gous | Wicket-Keeper | WAF | Reliable batter + keeper; valuable multiplier option |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | Bowler | WAF | Key spinner; takes early wickets |
| Trent Boult | Bowler | MINY | Express pacer; strikes early |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler | WAF | Death specialist; accurate yorkers and slower balls |
| Rushil Ugarkar | Bowler | MINY | Picks up early wickets; performed well in playoffs |
Explanation:
This fantasy XI blends top performers from both teams. Openers like Mitchell Owen and Monank Patel set the tempo. Glenn Maxwell brings captaincy value and all-round impact. Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard offer explosive finishes. Andries Gous contributes with bat and gloves. Saurabh Netravalkar and Rushil Ugarkar are wicket-taking threats, while Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult offer early breakthroughs. This combination ensures coverage across all phases of the game.
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
| Position | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Glenn Maxwell | All-round impact + experienced leader; ideal multiplier option |
| Vice-Captain | Nicholas Pooran | Explosive finisher; capable of turning matches single-handedly |
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Mukhtar Ahmed | Inconsistent; hasn’t fired in crunch games |
| Heinrich Klaasen | No longer part of MI squad; not playing |
Team Squads
Washington Freedom Squad
Mitchell Owen, Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (wk), Glenn Phillips, Glenn Maxwell (c), Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Jack Edwards, Ian Holland, Lockie Ferguson, Saurabh Netravalkar
MI New York Squad
Monank Patel, Quinton de Kock (wk), Kunwarjeet Singh, Tajinder Dhillon, Nicholas Pooran (c), Michael Bracewell, Kieron Pollard, Tristan Luus, Trent Boult, Nosthush Kenjige, Rushil Ugarkar
Probable Playing XI
| WF | MINY |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Owen | Monank Patel |
| Rachin Ravindra | Quinton de Kock (wk) |
| Andries Gous (wk) | Nicholas Pooran (c) |
| Glenn Phillips | Kunwarjeet Singh |
| Glenn Maxwell (c) | Michael Bracewell |
| Jack Edwards | Kieron Pollard |
| Obus Pienaar | Tajinder Dhillon |
| Ian Holland | Tristan Luus |
| Lockie Ferguson | Trent Boult |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | Nosthush Kenjige |
| — | Rushil Ugarkar |
Pitch Report
Grand Prairie Stadium usually produces high-scoring T20 matches. The pitch is flat and fast, with true bounce and a quick outfield. Spinners do well when they mix up their pace, while seamers get some movement early on. First-innings average score is around 175, and teams prefer chasing under lights due to dew slowing the ball. A total above 190 is considered competitive.
Toss Prediction
Given the trend at this venue where the side batting second has won both playoff matches, the toss winner is likely to choose to bowl first , hoping to chase under favorable dew conditions.
Winner Prediction
Washington Freedom has been the most consistent team throughout the tournament. They haven’t lost to MI New York this season and possess a balanced squad that excels in all departments. While MI has momentum and a few match-winners, their bowling unit looks less threatening against a strong Washington batting lineup. Unless MI delivers a flawless performance, Washington is expected to lift the trophy once again.
Washington Freedom to win the MLC 2025 Final.
CricketPandith Match Prediction Package
Per Match Charges: 1000 Rs/Match
Monthly Package: 5000 Rs/Month (Unlimited Match)
All International/League Match Prediction Available
