Defending champions MI New York opened their account in the MLC 2026 with an eight-wicket victory over Texas Super Kings in the final match of the first leg of the MLC 2026 tournament at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Monday (IST).The win was anchored by a strong bowling performance led by the bowlers Trent Bolt and Corbin Boss before captain Nicholas Pullan Leading the chase with an unbeaten 68.After losing their first game, MI New York needed a response and got one quickly through Bolt. The left-arm pacer dismissed Smit Patel in the first over and then removed Rilee Rosu with a sharply bounced ball to keep Texas tied at 2-20.Texas, which lost regular captain Faf du Plessis to back spasms, struggled to recover from the early setback. Bose scored before the end of the Powerplay to take the score to 36-3.Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane restored the innings with a 65-run partnership and briefly got Texas back on track. However, MI New York kept getting wickets. Ranjan fell behind with a half-century and Bose dismissed Donovan Ferreira and Viane Mulder to prevent any late charge.Bolt’s early breakaway and Bose’s control in the midfield and death rounds ensured Texas never gained full momentum. The game ended with 158 points and 4 balls left.MI New York began an aggressive chase. Quinton de Kock attacked from the start, beating Akeal Hosein with two fours and a six in the first over. Texas then missed a key opportunity when Monank Patel was knocked out by Amish de Silva in the third round.Missed opportunities proved costly. Monanke and de Kock scored 49 runs for the opening wicket before Monanke and Pooran partnered to score 64 runs. De Kock provided the early runs while Pooran carefully controlled the chase and ensured there were no setbacks.Monanke was dismissed for 46 just short of the target. Pooran then took control of the game, with the scoring rate increasing as the game drew to a close. His unbeaten 68 helped MI New York finish the chase with 14 balls to secure their first win of the season.
