Right then, that is it from our coverage of the eliminator between MI New York and Texas Super Kings. Texas Super Kings move on to the next stage in the tournament. However, the action doesn’t stop yet. The first qualifier is scheduled on the 26th of July at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT) but our coverage will start much earlier. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Kieron Pollard is up for a chat. He says they were a few runs short and with the rain in the innings brea, the pitch improved drastically. Adds that their fielding was not up to the mark. He also thanks the fans for their support and appreciates Texas Super Kings for their performance. Mentions that there is still a lot of work to be done but the team is united. Concludes by saying that they didn't play well and they will bounce back strongly.
Faf du Plessis is the Player of the Match for his impactful performance. He says that the plan was clear to show intent in the Powerplay. Adds that you never wish to start slow in a T20 game. States that his opening partnership alongside Devon Conway is very balanced and they can certainly switch roles according to the situation of the game. Further says that he did not do what to do at the toss, to be honest, but all he aimed to do is put the opposition in a tricky situation by putting them into bat first, as they love to chase. Dwayne Bravo's absence is a big scare for them, but credit to Marcus Stoinis with the way he stepped up for the side when required.
The Presentation ceremony…
Earlier in the innings, we saw MI New York struggling with the bat initially but the knocks of Monank Patel and Rashid Khan got some valuable runs for them and took them to a competitive score. For the Texas Super Kings, it was Marcus Stoinis who stood out with the ball for his economical spell and two wickets. The pitch was a bit on the slower side but MI New York didn't seem to be at their best.
Devon Conway is in for a quick chat. He says that he struggled to try and match Faf du Plessis from the other end. Adds that he tried to hit the ball hard tonight but ended up losing his shape. States that it was a tough night for him overall. Further says that he told himself that it was important to bat through when Faf got out. States that they felt the score was competitive but slightly under par. Concludes by saying they only aimed to remain positive throughout the chase.
MI New York, the defending champions have been knocked out of the tournament by the Super Kings. This rivalry has been amazing to watch but tonight, it is MI New York who are crest-fallen. MI New York couldn’t take wickets initially and even had to face the onslaught by Faf du Plessis. The game was almost slipping out of their hands when Nosthush Kenjige gave them the opening breakthrough. The field conditions weren't supporting them but there were many errors which proved costly for them. If they had been able to capitalize on those chances, the game would have been much closer.
TEXAS SUPER KINGS HAVE MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH! A comprehensive win over MI New York have taken them a step closer to the finals. Texas Super Kings had a good start to their innings with their opening partnership exceeding a hundred runs. However, it was Faf du Plessis who was doing the heavy lifting while Devon Conway struggled initially. He showed his prowess along with Aaron Hardie toward the slog overs and got them comfortably back in the game. The rain in the innings break might have favored them but the intent they showed with the bat was commendable. With the combined effort of the bowlers and batters, the Super Kings need to win just one more game to find themselves in the finals.
In over# 19
4
2
1
Rushil Ugarkar 19/0(2.3)
18.3
4
FOUR! Aaron Hardie finishes things off in style. Rushil Ugarkar dishes a full one, but sliding down leg. Aaron Hardie stays back and flicks it down to fine leg for a boundary. TEXAS SUPER KINGS WIN THE MATCH BY 9 WICKETS.
18.2
2
SCORES LEVEL! Good length, outside off. Aaron Hardie stays on his back foot and punches it uppishly through covers. They take two as there is protection in the deep.
18.1
1
Rushil Ugarkar comes 'round the wicket and serves a full one, around middle. Conway tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
In over# 18
4
6
0
6
1
1
Trent Boult 50/0(4)
17.6
4
FOUR! This is a magnificent shot. Trent Boult goes very full, on middle. Aaron Hardie adjusts himself well and lofts it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary. Texas Super Kings now one boundary away from victory.
17.5
6
SIX! KABOOM! Aaron Hardie wants to finish things off early. It is a slower bumper, on off. Aaron Hardie steps outside the crease and bludgeons it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
17.4
.
Length around off, defended back to the bowler.
17.3
6
SIX! BANG! Aaron Hardie has decided to up the ante here. Trent Boult pitches it up, outside off, it is a bit slower as well. Aaron Hardie picks it up nicely and smokes it over the covers fence for a biggie.
17.2
1
Devon Conway now rotates the strike. Trent Boult nails the yorker here. Devon Conway reads it well and clips it to mid-wicket for one. FIFTY UP FOR CONWAY! His teammates applauds this important knock, but is it very slow for Conway's liking.
17.1
1
Fuller one, angled into the pads. Hardie clips it to deep square leg for an easy single.