In the 2025 Major League Cricket playoffs, the time to win or go home has reached the Eliminator stage, and MI New York and San Francisco Unicorns are poised to provide fireworks. We’re talking power hitters, clutch performances, and some batting brilliance that can change a match in an eye. Both teams have phenomenal talent in their lineups, but three batters will lead this knockout clash. If you enjoy watching a situation in an intense cricket contest, these are the players you should be watching.
1. Matthew Short

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Matthew Short has been crazy good this season. In just 7 games, the Aussie dasher has scored 354 runs at a dizzying average of 50.57 and a strike rate of 166.19. Those are not just good numbers—they are MVP quality.
What makes Short such a rogue is his unrelenting intent. Whether it be pace or spin, powerplay or death, he goes hard. His compact style and lightning-quick hands make him a master at picking out gaps effortlessly. Even the tiniest mistake, and he’ll punish you with a towering six. Against an MI NY attack with the likes of Trent Boult and Ehsan Adil, Short’s counter-hitting will be essential. If he gets going, MI New York may be chasing shadows—and runs.
2. Nicholas Pooran

When Nicholas Pooran is in full swing, bowlers may want to think about hiding! With 286 runs from 10 matches at a healthy average of 35.75 and a strike rate of 135.54, Pooran has been a cool-headed destroyer for the MI New York team.
Pooran is not a conventional anchor, or a mindless slogger, but rather, something in between—a master of pacing an innings and then demolishing it at will. His late-innings batting is a precision operation, and coupled with his leadership, he has helped MI NY keep their composure in pressure situations. With an Eliminator shortly, you can expect Pooran to turn the stabilizer and finisher roles for MI NY—if the top order is wobbly!
3. Monank Patel

In a team full of fireworks, Monank Patel has been the quiet constant holding the innings together. 368 runs in 10 matches at 36.8 with a strike rate of 151.44? That’s what consistency looks like, and consistency is what all teams want.
Monank Patel does not have the flash of Pooran or the moving parts of Short, but he does one thing well – he is reliable. He comes in and absorbs the pressure, rotates the strike ball after ball, and can accelerate when he needs to. In a knockout match, where nerves and tendency could get the better of all the fancy players, Monank Patel adds value. He may not trend on Twitter, but he is quite possibly the difference between winning a knockout and heading home straight away.
Although a spot in Qualifier 2 is on the line, MINY vs. SFU Eliminator is more than a T20 match — it is a high-stakes spectacle with players that have been some of the hottest hitters in the tournament. Whether it’s Short smashing away, Pooran finishing in style, or Monank exhibiting ice in his veins as he plays the anchor, a serious roller coaster of runs, full of drama and adrenaline, will take place.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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