Match 5 | Major League Cricket 2026 | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas | 20 June 2026

Rushil Ugarkar defending 12 off the final over against Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips is the image that defines this fixture. MI New York won the 2025 title from 4th place in the league by winning all three playoff games, and Washington Freedom finished top of the table only to lose the final by five runs. Both sides have since reshaped their squads, with Steve Smith now captaining Freedom and Rachin Ravindra unavailable for this match. The rematch carries weight even as only Match 5. 

MINY’s Comeback From Six Losses To Title 

MI New York won only one of their first seven matches in MLC 2025, finishing fourth in the league stage with three wins from ten matches and a net run rate of minus 0.518. Their single early win came when Monank Patel made 93 off 50 balls chasing 201 against Seattle Orcas, a result that kept a faint playoff hope alive. 

From the Eliminator onward, Trent Boult removed both Washington Freedom openers in the first over of the final to leave them two for two, and even after Rachin Ravindra’s 70 off 41 dragged the chase close, Ugarkar defended 12 in the last over with Maxwell and Phillips at the crease to seal a five-run win. 

Washington Freedom vs MI New York MLC 2026 

Freedom arrived having topped the 2025 league table with eight wins from ten, before losing the final. Steve Smith takes over the captaincy from Maxwell for this season, per ESPNcricinfo’s confirmed squad update, though Maxwell remains in the XI. 

Rachin Ravindra won’t be available for the first half of the tournament while on New Zealand duty, with Mark Chapman covering his spot. Glenn Phillips, who was at the crease alongside Maxwell in that final over last year, is not in the 2026 squad after picking up a groin injury. 

Ugarkar Headlines MINY’s Defence 

Ugarkar took 11 wickets in eight MLC 2025 matches at an average of 21.36 and a strike rate of 14.27, then earned Player of the Match in the final. He was retained for 2026, as was Kenjige, whose seven wickets in seven games at a sub-nine economy made him a reliable middle-overs option. 

Pooran captains again after his MVP season, with Boult providing the powerplay threat. Patel’s 478 runs from 13 MLC 2025 matches was the highest total for any MINY batter and the data point that best explains how a side with six early losses still made the final. 

Maxwell And Freedom’s Firepower 

Maxwell’s individual MLC record reads 252 runs and ten wickets from 12 matches, reflecting his value as both a lower-order hitter and a bowling option. Freedom have also added Marco Jansen, the South African seamer, as a new signing to give Lockie Ferguson pace support in the attack, while Saurabh Netravalkar, the USA’s highest wicket-taker in MLC history, is retained. 

Grand Prairie Hosts The Rematch 

Freedom needs a fast start to the 2026 season after finishing top of the table only to lose the final by five runs. Smith leads one side and Pooran the other, Maxwell is the most recognisable batting threat on either team, and Ugarkar is the bowler Freedom most wants to see off before the death overs. 

The Washington Freedom vs MI New York MLC 2026 fixture begins at 7:30 pm CT on June 20 at Grand Prairie, the same venue where Ugarkar defended 12 a year ago against the same opposition.  

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FAQ

How did MI New York win the MLC 2025 final?

MI New York beat Washington Freedom by five runs at Grand Prairie Stadium on July 13, 2025. Rushil Ugarkar defended 12 off the final over against Maxwell and Phillips to seal the title. 

Who is captaining Washington Freedom in MLC 2026?

Steve Smith captains the Washington Freedom in MLC 2026, taking over from Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell remains in the squad and is expected to play a leading role with both bat and ball. 

Did MI New York start MLC 2025 slowly?

Yes, they won only one of their first seven matches before recovering to win the title. They finished fourth with three wins from ten, then beat three opponents in a row to claim the championship. 

Is Rachin Ravindra playing for Washington Freedom in Match 5?

No, Ravindra is on New Zealand international duty and won’t be available for the first half of the tournament. Mark Chapman is covering his spot until he joins the Freedom squad later in the season. 

Where is Match 5 of MLC 2026 being played?

Washington Freedom versus MI New York takes place at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on June 20. The 7:30 pm CT start is the same venue that hosted the 2025 MLC final.