The Los Angeles Knight Riders are celebrating Sunday after the team won its first Major League Cricket title, beating the Washington Freedom in a thriller Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Knight Riders earned the title in a one-run victory, with a final match score of 164 all out in 19.4 overs, to 163/9 in 20 overs for Washington.
“The LAKR stadium. The championship…cricket in America…awesome,” Indian actor and team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan posted on X. “@SunilPNarine74 @Jaseholder98 @Russell12A and all of the team. Absolutely outstanding. You all said we are here to win not just participate…and u showed it. Love u all.”
LA’s Sunil Narine, who also plays in the Indian Premier League, was named the Player of the Match for returning with figures of 3/13 from four overs.
“Words can’t describe this moment. Trying to embrace it all,” Narine said. “It means a lot to the team family members and the support staff.”
The Knight Riders’ Andre Russell, who has played international cricket for the West Indies and domestically in Jamaica, was also in a mood to celebrate.
“Experience in everything. We all came out and showed that,” he said. “We all played as a team and we deserve to celebrate tonight.”
LA’s Matthew Tromp, who was named the Under 23 Player of the Tournament, paid tribute to his more experienced teammates.
“Russell and Narine are GOATS of cricket. We did it for them,” he said.
Major League Cricket was founded in 2023. It consists of six city-based franchises, each run by individual investor groups. The teams play Twenty20, a shortened form of the sport in which matches typically last a little over three hours.
The Knight Riders plays their home matches at the Fairplex in Pomona.