- July 15, 2025
When you have LA Knight Riders squaring off against MI New York, it’s going to be a banger. Big players. Big hits. Bigger stakes. Heading into Match 27 of the MLC 2025 season, all eyes are firmly on the batters who have caused havoc with their form and firepower. These aren’t just run-scorers, man, this is the labor of changing matches with every on-boundary and big innings. With playoff positions tightening up, this match is more than just two teams playing against each other — it’s a contest between MLC’s most consistent run machines to prove who can keep showing up. So, let’s take a look at the big three batters and see which team is walking away smiling more.
Monank Patel: MINY
There has been one player who has been a model of consistency for MI New York this season, and that is Monank Patel. He has not just been scoring runs, he has been completing chases, providing stability to innings, and accelerating innings when necessary. He has piled up 399 runs in 10 games, averaging 39.9 with an impressive strike rate of 146.15. He is having a tournament worth talking about.
What makes Monank dangerous is the level of game awareness he possesses. He can dominate batting whilst not having to play as Pooran. He constructs innings intelligently, knowing when to rotate, when to relieve pressure, and never letting the scoreboard get stuck. Against LAKR, he can nullify spin in the middle overs and turn ones into twos, which may be the difference between winning and losing, particularly on a surface that may not run hot for six-hitters.
Unmukt Chand: LAKR
Unmukt Chand has put together a solid season for LAKR without much fanfare, and it’s time to shine a light on it. Chand has 314 runs at 34.89 and a strike rate of around 125. His numbers may not be mind-blowing, but they paint a picture of consistency. But on a team that has misfired several times, he’s been a constant.
Chand’s technique makes him stand out in a T20 world where that is often lost in favor of an attitude to give it a whack. He calculates, builds his innings, and often shines post-powerplay. Against a bowler-heavy team like MI NY that has quality pace and spin options, Chand could lead LAKR if early wickets fall. If he can lead in high-pressure moments, this could be a game to remember for him.
Nicholas Pooran: MINY
To be fair, Nicholas Pooran doesn’t need a warm-up. He strolls in and starts swinging like it’s the last five overs. Pooran had 287 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 35.88, and a strike rate of 132.25, so he has been explosive, even if he hasn’t gone full beast mode this season.
But the thing about Pooran is that it only takes him a single game to flip the momentum of an entire contest. There’s a sense of danger in his fearless strokeplay against spin, always on the verge of eruption. LAKR’s bowlers will need to have precise plans because if Pooran gets started, 180+ may not be enough. He’s due for a big one, and this could be it.
This LAKR vs MI NY clash is more than just a playoff positioning jostle — it’s a contest of batting styles. Monank brings the balance, Chand brings the control, and Pooran brings the chaos. In Match 27, it might all come down to which batter steps up and takes control of the game.
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