In a thrilling end to the MLC 2025 Final, MI New York (MINY) won their second title following an incredible final over by 22-year-old Rushil Ugarkar, who kept his cool against Glenn Maxwell’s and Glenn Phillips’s star power.
With Washington Freedom requiring 12 runs from the last over, the momentum was hugely in their favor Phillips had just plundered 35 off his last 14 deliveries, and Maxwell was yet to come out. But Ugarkar, a medium-pacer with no experience at the international level, served an over of slow cutters and accuracy. He dismissed Maxwell with his first over and gave Phillips only a single ball, limiting the couple to a mere six runs and securing an amazing victory for MI New York.
Freedom’s pursuit started badly earlier when Trent Boult removed two batters in the opening over. A brave 70 off 41 balls by Rachin Ravindra and a brisk 33 by Jack Edwards notwithstanding, middle overs labored. Ravindra and Phillips’ 46-run partnership took 42 deliveries—maybe the time Freedom lost grip.
Maxwell, who also had a subdued tournament other than a solitary century, could not push the pace again. MINY’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Tajinder Singh (3-0-18-0) and Ugarkar, tightened the screws all along.
MINY had previously set up a commanding total, courtesy Quinton de Kock’s 77 off 46 balls and useful inputs from Monank Patel and Nicholas Pooran. Although there was a late rescue attempt from Freedom, the total was just about sufficient.
In a penning full of overseas stars, it was a young and unknown Rushil Ugarkar who answered the call and produced one of the greatest over in MLC history to give MI New York their second title in style.
