Predicting the top-4 of MLC 2024 ft. MI New York

Major League Cricket 2024 got underway on Friday, July 5 between Seattle Orcas and MI New York at Church Street Park in Morrisville with the latter beating the former by six wickets.

This tournament - the premier franchise league of the USA - is bound to throw up a lot of good matches for the spectators, with players from across the world coming in and showcasing their potential.

As is the wont for us at Sportskeeda ahead of most major tournaments, we are keen on predicting who the top four will be by the end of the season. It gives us something more to do than twiddling our thumbs while covering these games.

In this listicle, we predict the top four of MLC 2024.

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#4 Los Angeles Knight Riders

The Los Angeles Knight Riders, who ended up almost with the wooden spoon last season by finishing in the fifth spot with a mere four points to their name, have an outside chance of making the playoffs this year.

They have built a very good team and will hope to see these players perform and do well - we have the fourth position in mind for them. With Sunil Narine as their captain, a lot of responsibility will fall upon the shoulders of David Miller, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, and Jason Roy with the bat in hand.

With the ball, Ali Khan, Adam Zampa, and Joshua Little are but a few big names, and they look rather weak in this department.

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#3 Texas Super Kings

Texas Super Kings, who were beaten by MI New York in the Challenger last season, appear to be strong contenders for finishing in the third position this year.

The Super Kings, led by Faf du Plessis, as they were last season as well, will want to make sure that they do not make the mistake of peaking too soon.

Aiden Markram, Daryl Mitchell, Marcus Stoinis, Devon Conway, and Aaron Hardie will have to take up the responsibility of putting runs on the board for TSK alongside skipper du Plessis.

They look a tad undercooked in the bowling department, but Naveen-ul-Haq, Gerald Coetzee, and Noor Ahmad will have a lot to do.

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#2 MI New York

Defending champions MI New York do not appear to have covered all their bases in the squad this season, and we do not think that they will be able to defend their title.

At best, we expect them to come second this year and concede the trophy to a better challenger.

Led by an aging Kieron Pollard (who has taken up coaching responsibilities in the IPL), they lack depth in batting although the likes of Dewald Brevis, Tim David, and Nicholas Pooran will want to have a say in that.

With the ball, however, MI New York can rely upon Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje to deliver whenever the going gets tough, and that is where they probably hold the edge.

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#1 Washington Freedom

Washington Freedom appear to have an outside chance of winning the title this season, as they are one of the most well-prepared sides.

They have built a fine team this season, perhaps as a result of having been knocked out in the Eliminator last season. Having brought in Steve Smith as their captain for this season, the Freedom also have the reliable Travis Head at the top of the order.

Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, and Rachin Ravindra form a veritable fearsome threesome in the all-rounders' department while Akeal Hosein, Lockie Ferguson, Andrew Tye, and Saurabh Netravalkar lead the bowlers.

They probably have the best team in this tournament.