The final league-stage fixture of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 delivered another thrilling contest as the Texas Super Kings (TSK) locked horns with the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. With LAKR eyeing a top-two finish ahead of the playoffs, the match carried significant importance, while TSK were hoping to end their disappointing campaign on a winning note.
Although LAKR eventually chased down the target comfortably, one of the biggest talking points of the contest came midway through the second innings when Texas pacer Hardus Viljoen produced an absolute gem to dismiss one of the world’s most destructive batters.
Hardus Viljoen castles Andre Russell with a sensational yorker
Andre Russell walked to the crease with LAKR in a commanding position and looked to put the finishing touches on the chase. The West Indian all-rounder began aggressively, striking two boundaries to put the pressure back on the bowlers. However, Viljoen responded in spectacular fashion in the final ball of the 12th over.
Charging in with purpose, the South African quick nailed a pinpoint yorker right at the base of the stumps. Russell attempted to stay leg-side of the ball and squeeze it through the off side, but he was beaten completely by the pace and precision of the delivery. The ball sneaked underneath his bat before crashing into middle and off stump, sending the stumps flying.
Russell’s entertaining stay came to an end for 9 off 9 deliveries, including two boundaries, while Viljoen celebrated one of the finest deliveries of the tournament.
Here’s the video:
Another one bites the dust 💨 pic.twitter.com/G2NemU5mGj
— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 13, 2026
Matthew Tromp and Colin Munro guide LAKR to crucial victory
Earlier in the evening, Texas Super Kings posted 171/9 after being asked to bat first. Shubham Ranjane anchored the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 34 deliveries, while Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw provided brisk starts. Jason Holder starred with the ball for LAKR, claiming three wickets, while Sunil Narine delivered a miserly spell of 1/15 from his four overs to keep the scoring under control.
In reply, Colin Munro laid the perfect platform with a fluent 62 off 36 balls before Matthew Tromp finished the chase in style. Tromp remained unbeaten on 58 from just 28 deliveries, smashing seven fours and two sixes to guide LAKR to 172/4 with five balls to spare.
Although Viljoen struck twice by removing Russell and Rovman Powell during the chase, LAKR remained in control throughout. The six-wicket victory secured second place for the Knight Riders on the MLC 2026 points table and booked a Qualifier clash against the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU), while Texas Super Kings finished their campaign with a fifth consecutive defeat.
Also READ: Washington Freedom outclass MI New York as Andries Gous powers the chase in MLC 2026
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