final league-stage determination of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 gave another exciting competition as Texas Super Kings (TSK) with closed horns Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. LAKR are eyeing a top-two finish ahead of the playoffs, so the match holds immense importance, while TSK will be hoping to end their disappointing campaign with a win.
Although LAKR eventually chased down the target with ease, the biggest talking point of the contest came midway through the second innings when the Texas fast bowler hardus viljoen Produced an absolute gem to dismiss one of the most destructive batsmen in the world.
Hardus Viljoen destroys Andre Russell with sensational yorker
andre russell Came to the crease with LAKR in a strong position and tried to finalize the chase. The West Indies all-rounder made an aggressive start and hit two fours to put pressure on the bowlers. However, Viljoen responded brilliantly on the last ball of the 12th over.
Attacking with purpose, the South African quick bowled an accurate yorker just short of the stumps. Russell tried to press the ball from the off side by staying on the leg side of the ball, but due to the speed and accuracy of the ball, he was completely defeated. The ball hit the bottom of his bat before hitting middle and off stump, sending the stumps flying.
Russell’s entertaining stay ended on 9 runs from 9 balls, which included two fours, while Viljoen celebrated one of the finest deliveries of the tournament.
Here is the video:
Another one licks the dust 💨 pic.twitter.com/G2NemU5mGj
– Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) 13 July 2026
Matthew Tromp and Colin Munro lead LAKR to vital win
Earlier in the evening, Texas Super Kings scored 171/9 when invited to bat first. Shubham Ranjane While he took the inning forward by scoring unbeaten 51 runs in 34 balls. Faf du Plessis And Riley Rossouw Provided there is a fast start. jason holder Performed brilliantly with the ball for LAKR and took three wickets. Sunil Narine Had a poor spell of 1/15 in his four overs to keep the scoring under control.
In response, Colin Munro Earlier, he created a great platform by playing a stormy innings of 62 runs in 36 balls. Matthew Trump Ended the chase brilliantly. Tromp remained unbeaten on 58 off just 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes, taking LAKR to 172/4 with five balls to spare.
However Viljoen struck twice, removing Russell rovman powell During the chase, LAKR remained in control throughout. The six-wicket win secured the Knight Riders second place on the MLC 2026 points table and booked a qualifier clash against them. San Francisco Unicorns (SFU)While Texas Super Kings ended their campaign with fifth consecutive defeat.
Also read: Andries Gaus’ power leads Washington Freedom past MI New York in MLC 2026