Texas Super Kings (TSK) roared back to form in MLC 2025, securing a convincing 52-run victory over Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR). With this win, TSK climbed to second place on the points table, while LAKR suffered their fourth loss in five matches as the league phase reached its midpoint.
Early Collapse but Ranjane and Ferreira Spark Recovery
Despite a shaky start at 33 for 3 inside four oversβthanks to a fiery spell from Shadley van Schalkwyk, who claimed three early wickets including Marcus Stoinis for a golden duckβTSK bounced back impressively.
Smit Patel and Shubham Ranjane stabilized the innings with a composed 64-run stand off 46 balls, inching the total close to 100. But Patel fell for 38, scooping Andre Russell to short fine leg.
From there, Donovan Ferreira and Ranjane exploded. Ferreira launched Ali Khan for back-to-back boundaries and smashed Russell for 6, 4, 4, shifting the momentum rapidly. Both batters then launched sixes off van Schalkwyk, whose final over leaked 23 runs.
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Their 82-run partnership from just 40 balls ended in the 19th over due to a run-out. Ranjane (70) fell two balls later. Even with a couple more wickets tumbling in the final over, TSK posted a commanding 196 for 8.
Hosein and Noor Strangle LAKR in the Chase
In response, LAKRβs top order faltered early as Akeal Hosein struck twice in two balls, including a beauty that swung in sharply to dismantle Nitish Kumarβs stumps.
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Struggling for momentum, Unmukt Chand and Saif Badar crawled to 39 for 2 in the powerplay. Marcus Stoinis then dismissed Badar with a smart cross-seam delivery, and the asking rate ballooned past 12 runs per over.
Noorβs Spin Web Traps the Middle Order
Noor Ahmad, the young Afghan spinner, took charge in the middle overs. He removed Sherfane Rutherford, who scratched his way to 13 off 15, and then delivered the knockout punch to Andre Russell with a drifting wrong’un that turned sharply and shattered the off-stump.
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Despite a late six from Rovman Powellβthe teamβs first of the inningsβit was too little, too late. LAKR finished on 144 for 7, never truly threatening TSKβs total.
Texas Super Kings Eye Playoff Push
The win not only ended TSKβs brief slump but also reaffirmed their credentials as playoff contenders. With a balanced performance from both bat and ball, theyβll now look to build further momentum in the second half of the league stage.
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