The franchise T20 landscape is fast-moving: squads are often put together in weeks and quickly disbanded, to be replaced by the next tournament. Still, however Washington Freedom have been able to build something of an anomaly – a franchise steeped in intimacy, loyalty and authenticity.
The connection was manifested during the raw scenes staged after that MLC final last season. MI New York and its players, staff, families had in a big way celebrated around the championship trophy but there still no covering up the disappointment for Washington Freedom with its players, staff failed to be satisfied. The team came oh-so-close to winning the title, but that disappointment was felt deeply as well in the wake of what this franchise’s journey meant to so many – even Ricky Ponting’s kids were visibly emotional.
It was a painful own goal as Freedom had established themselves as the tournament’s best side. Having won eight of their ten matches in the league stage, they were evidently the team to beat. They were going into the playoffs as the team to beat due to their consistency, depth and match-winning abilities.
MI New York, having squeaked into the knockout stages, were significantly less on a roll ahead of this one. With just three wins in the league phase, their route to the final was improbable. But when the all-important title match started, form and predictions hardly counted-jungle in T20 cricket.
Washington Freedom looked on track for a second MLC title throughout much of the final. The side held on during the last mission and appeared to be heading towards another great season. However, the match swung wildly in its dying minutes as rookie fast bowler Rushil Ugarkar produced one of the most extraordinary overs ever seen in league play.
Ugarkar was handed the responsibility of defending 12 runs in the last over and he successfully managed it against two of hardest hitters on the planet, Glenn Maxwell & Glenn Phillips. His phenomenal execution sealed a superb victory for MI New York and denied Freedom what would have been a near-certain title.
This disappointment did not sour what is otherwise a tremendously successful MLC franchise who have already won the trophy once. With a new season approaching, they will be looking to turn the heartbreak of last year into a fresh title challenge.
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