MLC 2025: Predicting the MI New York Playing XI for the clash against San Francisco Unicorns

Major League Cricket’s first season winners, Mumbai Indians New York, take on San Francisco Unicorns in a key encounter. It is a huge game for Nicholas Pooran and his side, having made a terrible start to the season. MINY haven’t been able to show their wares with the bat and ball this season so far.

After this game, MINY just have five games left in the season and will want to revitalise their season in a bid to make it to the playoffs. One of the key areas of struggle for MINY has been their inconsistent batting. The bowling has done well with Trent Boult leading the fray with the ball.

Here is the likely MINY XI vs SFU

Top order – Monank Patel, Quinton de Kock

USA batter Monank Patel has been one of the most consistent run-getters for his side this season. The 32-year-old began the season well with 175 runs from his opening three games, which included the 93 he scored against the Seattle Orcas. Quinton de Kock has been getting decent starts with the bat, but the veteran cricketer hasn’t been able to make it into a big score.

Middle Order – Michael Bracewell, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard

Kiwi all-rounder Michael Bracewell is a very good spin bowler with the knack of taking key wickets as well as putting breaks on the run scoring. Bracewell is also a very dangerous batter and can bat anywhere needed. Nicholas Pooran has made a slow start to life with the bat in the MLC season and will be keen to recapture his best form soon. Kieron Pollard is still a dangerous batter in the backend of the innings and hasn’t lost out on his power-hitting skills.

Lower-order- Heath Richards, Tajinder Dhillon, Sunny Patel

Called one of the most promising USA players, Heath Richards is a very good hitter of the ball and a more than useful medium pace bowler. Dhillon is trying to find his feet in USA cricket, and a good season in MLC could see him realise his dream of playing international cricket. Sunny Patel is a veteran all-rounder with good bowling skills and is more than capable with the bat.

Tail enders – Trent Boult, Naveen Ul Haq, Ehsan Adil

Seamer Trent Boult has been making life difficult for batters with his swing early with the new ball. Boult has also been doing his best in the death overs with his Yorkers and slower balls. Naveen ul Haq and Ehsan Adil have shown their talents with the ball at various times this season, but the consistency has been missing.

MINY vs SFU

M Patel, Q de Kock, M Bracewell, N Pooran, K Pollard, H Richards, T Dhillon, S Patel, T Boult, N Haq, E Adil