Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) finally got off the mark in the MLC 2025 season with a six-wicket victory over the Seattle Orcas in Dallas. A brilliant unbeaten 86 from Unmukt Chand and a disciplined bowling effort by Andre Russell helped break their three-match losing streak, while keeping the Orcas winless after four games.
Orcas Post Competitive Total Despite Late Stumble
Seattle Orcas opted to bat first and posted 177 for 6, thanks to solid contributions from the top order. Shayan Jahangir opened aggressively with 26 off 15 deliveries, helping build a quick 33-run stand with David Warner. However, LAKR skipper Jason Holder broke the momentum by dismissing Jahangir early.
Warner looked in good touch and added a steady 52-run stand with Aaron Jones before being bowled by Russell for 38 off 28 balls. Jones anchored the innings with a composed 44 off 36 deliveries, hitting a six each off Corné Dry and Russell to lift the tempo. Despite this solid platform, Seattle managed only 39 runs in the final four overs.
Andre Russell starred with the ball, using clever variations including wide and slower yorkers to control the death overs. In the final over, he conceded just two runs and dismissed Shimron Hetmyer, capping off an excellent spell.
“We knew we had to finish well with the ball,” Russell said. “Keeping them under 180 was a job well done by the bowling unit.”
Chand and Badar Rescue LAKR After Early Setback
LAKR’s chase didn’t begin well as they slumped to 7 for 2 inside three overs. But Unmukt Chand took charge, steadying the innings alongside Saif Badar. Chand smashed consecutive boundaries off Cameron Gannon in the fifth over and added more pressure with a six and a four off Harmeet Singh in the next.
At the halfway stage, LAKR were still behind the rate at 72 for 2, with Chand on 42 off 36 and Badar on 17. The game turned in the 11th over when Chand took on Gerald Coetzee, hitting two sixes and two fours in a 20-run over.
Saif Badar supported the assault, striking two sixes and a four in quick succession. The duo stitched together a 139-run partnership off just 79 balls, leaving LAKR needing only 40 from the final five overs.
Badar was eventually dismissed for a quickfire 54 off 32 balls, and Rovman Powell couldn’t make an impact. But Chand remained composed and guided LAKR home alongside Sherfane Rutherford with ten balls to spare.
“It was important to stay calm after the early wickets,” Chand said. “Once I got my rhythm, I knew I could take it deep.”
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