WATCH: Faf Du Plessis turns back the clock with match winning knock versus MI New York

Defending champions of MI New York are out of Major League Cricket 2024. Faf Du Plessis played a captain's knock as Texas Super Kings won the game by 9 wickets to move into the second qualifier stage. 

It was an easy win for Texas as they cantered home with 9 wickets in hand with 9 balls to spare. Batting first MI New York posted 163 on the board from their 20 overs. Texas bowling came good as they put the breaks on MI’s scoring. 

FAF DU PLESSIS - THE LEGEND OF THE SUPER KINGS FAMILY. ⭐

- 72 (47) with 6 fours and 3 sixes in the Eliminator against MI New York in the MLC. The captain at the age of 40 keeps getting better. 👌pic.twitter.com/GrURm0QS7U

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 25, 2024

Faf Du Plessis then cut loose as he smashed an unbeaten 72 runs from just 47 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. The former South African star was seen in an aggressive mood right from the start as he went after the MI bowlers. 

Defending champions knocked out of MLC 2024

Faf Du Plessis won the toss and chose to bowl first and MI New York has been reduced to 18/2. Zia-ul-Haq dismissed Dewald Brevis for a duck while Marcus Stoinis got the huge wicket of Nicholas Pooran for 8. Shayan Jahangir added 49 runs for the third wicket with Monank Patel before being dismissed by Dwayne Bravo. 

Monank Patel and Rashid Khan combined forces to further add 35 runs as Noor Ahmad dismissed a dangerous-looking Patel for 48. Rashid Khan was the best batter for MI New York with 55 runs from 30 balls with four boundaries and 4 huge sixes before falling to Stoinis. 

Devon Conway and Faf Du Plessis added 101 runs for the opening wicket in 12.3 overs to put Texas on the course of an easy win. Conway was not out on 51 runs from 43 balls while Aaron Hardie gave the finishing touch to the innings with 40 not out from 22 balls. 

Winning skipper Faf Du Plessis while speaking after the match said, “Really good intent. If you get a good powerplay then you can get ahead in the game. We were 50 for no loss and that was important. It was the balance of someone playing with merit, I am the aggressor but batting partnerships work when you complement each other.”

Kieron Pollard on the other hand was downcast after his side failed to defend their crown when he said, “We fought all the way and are not satisfied with this finish. We have to continue working hard and there are some guys who need to get up to standard with the level of cricket. We got through to the playoffs but we didn't play good cricket. Hopefully, we come back stronger next season.”