Los Angeles Knight Riders vs Washington Freedom, 16th Match, Major League Cricket 2026 - CommentaryLAKR vs WAF, 16th Match, Major League Cricket 2026 - Commentary

So, that's it from our side. The first game in Los Angeles in a new cricket stadium wasn't a high-scoring one but it had its moments. Join us tomorrow for another high-octane contest from the same venue. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Steven Smith | WAF captain: (On whether they have gotten closer to finding the perfect balance in their game?) I'm not sure. It was a good performance tonight. We had to respond after the other night, and I thought the guys came out and bowled really nicely. It was obviously a tricky wicket to bat on, but I thought our guys hit really good areas, made them hit to parts of the ground that we wanted them to, and did a really good job. (On the new personnel) I thought Dwarshuis bowled really nicely tonight. He provided something different with the left arm and was able to hit really good areas and have good plans throughout. The rest of the bowlers did a great job as well. Netravalkar with the new ball was outstanding, and everyone just chipped in around him. (On how did it feel to play a game in Los Angeles at this stadium) Yeah, it was nice. It was a good atmosphere out here. It's a nice ground, a cool setting. I think the more you play on this wicket, it's going to get better and better as well. So, yeah, it's good fun.

Saurabh Netravalkar | Player of the Match: (On his feelings now after being left out of the team a couple of games ago) Yeah, I'm really grateful to get that opportunity again, and I'm glad I could execute for the team today. (On the conditions and on his game Nikhil Chaudhary) Firstly, it's a great vibe here. It's lovely to be here and see the ground. The assessment was that there was some variable bounce and some swing on offer as well. So we wanted to hit good lengths, hit the top of off, keep the stumps in play. I think that's all I tried to do - keep it simple. (On the optimistic feeling regarding the direction cricket is heading in this country) Absolutely. We've come a long way. There are four or five stadiums now, and season by season, MLC is growing. So it's great. Thanks for the support in the country.

Jason Holder | LAKR captain: (On the decision to bat first) Yeah, I can honestly say we probably misread the pitch today. I wasn't too sure, but it looked like a pretty decent surface. That's what we thought. (On the surface) Yeah, tough in both phases. Even they struggled to get the 100-odd runs. It wasn't easy. We just got to find a way. (On this being a historic first game in Los Angeles) Yeah, good atmosphere. The ground has a lot of potential. I think in the coming days, it'll get better and better. Hopefully, we can see more and more people.

21:44 Local Time, 04:44 GMT, 10:14 IST: A comprehensive win for Washington has lifted them from the bottom to the fourth position on the points table. Their seamers stood out on a sluggish surface and knocked the Knight Riders over for a paltry 108. A special mention to the Washington players for their sharp fielding and excellent catching as well. Washington were the overwhelming favourites at the halfway stage. In response, two moments of magic from Sunil Narine breached the defences of Owen and Gous - that would have made the opposition camp slightly nervy early in the innings but captain Smith found an able ally in Chapman and both of them controlled the run-chase thereafter. They batted with composure and kept things moving. There was no scoreboard pressure on Washington and the 62-run stand between the duo almost sealed the game. Russell nicked Chapman off with a good piece of bowling but Smith stayed till the end and played a measured captain's knock to take his side over the line with almost three overs to spare. Stick around for the presentations...

Shadley van Schalkwyk to Nikhil Chaudhary, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!