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

Holder is handed the trophy and he lifts it up with his teammates alongside. It's now being passed around in the group. After three disappointing seasons, this is their moment and they'll soak it all up. Time to head over towards the CHAMPIONS sign for more photos. The players are now taking turns to pose with Bravo who's holding the trophy in his hands. Holder and Narine both credited him for laying out the template for Knight Riders. It's a night to cherish for him and for the group. So that's all we have from the fourth season of the MLC. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. This is Sagar Chawla signing off on behalf of Praveen, MS Ramakrishnan and Kiran Nataraj. See you next time!

Holder (2/2): (On his leadership style on and off the field) You know, off the field, on the field, we spend time every single day having fun and enjoying what we're doing. So my biggest message to the boys is make sure we enjoy what we're doing. And one of the best ways to enjoy what we're doing is by winning. We started the competition really well. We got into the competition at a good stage, and then we faltered a little bit in the middle, but then we picked momentum up at the right time. So credit again to every individual in the dressing room. I just want to say a special thanks to the organizers, also to the Washington Freedom, for having an outstanding tournament. They pushed us to the very end, and they were excellent. (On what winning the title means for the franchise after difficult years and the opening of a new home stadium). It means everything. This year was a special year for us. We broke ground on our new stadium, and we probably didn't have the best results there. We won one game there, but we won the entire competition in the same year. So it's credit to each and every member. They keep saying we've had some tough times in the past, and to pull through the way we pulled through here in this tournament this year after having some very tough times last year, it's credit to each and every individual in the dressing room, a testament to our hard work and belief.

Holder | Knight Riders captain (1/2): (On fulfilling the team's goal and reflecting on the championship-winning campaign) Yeah, awesome feeling, you know. Credit to each and every individual in our camp. Everybody put their hand up, you know, played their part. We remained calm in some very close games. Obviously, the crowd came out to support us throughout the entire competition. So, I mean, credit to everybody who had a part to play. (On creating belief within the squad after difficult seasons and the influence of head coach Dwayne Bravo) Look, it's not one individual. I think it started with one or two people and it spread throughout the dressing room. Our coach, Dwayne Bravo, has been outstanding. He's been very clear in the template that we wanted to go with. And then the guys just followed. It's just made my job a lot easier. I was just here to help facilitate a lot of things, but more than not, the guys just bought into everything that we brought.

Narine | MVP of the Tournament: (On finally winning the title after three difficult seasons and the emotions of the moment.) Words can't explain at the moment. Trying to embrace this moment. Yeah, I think basically we struggled the first three seasons. And I think the guys, the support staff, everyone really gelled together and came up with certain plans, and as players we tried our best to execute, and it came out this tournament, which is satisfying. (On elevating his performances even further this season and the reasons behind it.) No, I think it boils down to hard work. I think no matter how much cricket you play, you still have to put in the hours to try to give good performances. But I think this year was really special. I think from the first game, we put our mind to this moment, and I think everyone bought into it, they enjoyed it, and you feed off others' success. So it wasn't only me, it was a whole team effort, and that's the main thing. (On his tactical role with the ball, attacking in the powerplay instead of being held back for the middle overs, and the influence of coach Dwayne Bravo.) I think it boils down to Bravo, our coach. He comes up with a lot of different scenarios. Obviously, you have to buy into it. He's someone who knows the game, who has a lot of experience. And I think he sees the game different. I think once you buy into it, you accept what he thinks, you try to come up with different plans, and it worked in this tournament. Thankfully, it worked, and hopefully continue with it. (On what receiving the award means to him and the team.) I think it means a lot to the team, the family members, support staff. I think we were all, as I said, gearing up for this moment. So just thank God for the continued health and strength, and hopefully it can continue.

Narine collects the award for the leading wicket-taker and he's also named the MVP of the tournament.

Gous: (Reflect on your season) Yeah, obviously, very proud of myself, and I've got a lot of thanks to the support staff and my family, and just a lot of support that our team has given me, and the backing to be free. And yeah, it's pretty bittersweet at the moment. (Speak about confidence and what it's done for you, and why, as the season has gone along, you've got better and better.) Yeah, from the start I felt like I was batting well, I just didn't get the runs. But then at the end, yeah, it just clicked, sort of, and I just got going on a roll, and then I just kept going, so it was nice. (How did you keep the roll going? Because you kind of did, didn't you?) Yeah, I mean, you've just got to do what you've got to do. There's obviously important games that we had to win, and this team is so dear to my heart. You want to do well for them. I'm so motivated to win games for the Washington Freedom, so yeah, that's probably it.

Andries Gous is named the Domestic Player of the Tournament. He scored 547 runs to finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer.

Matthew Tromp | U23 player of the tournament: (How's the season been?) It's been incredible, yeah. I've loved every minute of it. I can't complain. We've lifted the title, so it's been awesome. (About the role you were given and the approach that the assistance from the coaches would have been as a suggestion.) Yeah, I mean, I've got the best coaches in the world, I feel. The confidence they've given to me this season has been incredible. I started the season batting nine, and the coaches saw something and decided to give me an opportunity. And the confidence that I felt, I just felt like I was ready when I got that opportunity. (About pressure and dealing with it and embracing it.) Yeah, I mean, it's definitely the biggest stage I've ever played on. But I just try to keep things simple, stick to my process, and just try to execute when I get the opportunity. (Speak about today and walking out there and kind of things being a little bit tight.) Yeah, definitely nervous when I walked out there. The crowd was pretty big. But I just try to enjoy it, just try to be grateful for the opportunity. You know, it was just awesome.

Steve Smith | Freedom captain: (On the target) Yeah, we thought it was gettable. I thought our guys pulled it back really well. They were obviously 100 off the first 10, and for us to restrict them to 165, I thought it was a really good effort. But yeah, three wickets in the powerplay always hurts. Sunny (Sunil Narine) obviously a world-class bowler, and yeah, he was hard to get away. And I'm proud of the way the boys fought to get as close as we did. It hurts probably even more, but the guys showed great character and fight to get to where we got to. (What was the conversation about facing Narine and trying to limit his effectiveness?) Yeah, just trying to play the game in front of us, not overthinking things too much. And yeah, he's obviously world-class and hard to get away on a wicket that was a little bit stoppy with the spin. So yeah, look, if you're not picking him and you're not playing the right way, you're going to struggle. And yeah, we did a little bit in the powerplay tonight. (Three finals in three years. Reflect on your group as a whole.) I'm really proud of our group. We've got a great bunch of guys over there. We've obviously played really good cricket the last three years to win one and make two finals. So that's a lot to be proud of. Finals are tough to win when you get there. And yeah, credit's got to go to LA (Knight Riders). They played a good game of cricket tonight. And congratulations.

Time for the presentations, starting with the umpires being felicitated.

Ali Khan: (You were the very first pick by this franchise back in 2023, and now you're a champion) Yeah, much needed for this franchise from, you know, whatever we have been through for the last three years. Didn't manage to qualify, but coming out here with the hunger, the overseas brought their skills, the locals pitched in, and I think it's a great, great win for us, but most importantly for the franchise. (Playing with a hand injury) Yeah, it is still stitched. I got five stitches. But you've got to do it for the team. I was raring to go even last game, but wasn't cleared. But it's the final, you've got to give everything you have. And I'm lucky to be part of this occasion. We made history with this franchise. And go Knight Riders.

Sunil Narine: (Have you ever seen this man break a smile? He's still not smiling. Legend, you can smile now. How do you feel?) I think it's good. I think the first three seasons of this tournament were tough for us. And I think once you come on a winning spree and you reach the final, you have to win. I think all credit goes to everyone here. I think it was a total team effort, and it couldn't ask for a better feeling. (How do you produce excellence over and over again? I think that's God's blessing. I am thankful to God for blessing me with the skill to contribute to the team over and over and over. I'm just happy to continue performing at this age.

Andre Fletcher: Trust me it was a nail-biter. I was saying to the guys, I guess the injury that I got was for a reason. Since I came off the field, I've been praying and praying and praying. And thank God we pulled it through.

Matthew Tromp: (What does this mean to you?) It's everything. Bravo sat us down at the start of the playoffs - or start of the season - and said, "We're doing it for the big boys on our team, Russell, Narine, the GOATs of cricket." Everyone just felt motivated to do it for them and win the title for them. I mean, in the moment, I just got under it and took the catch. But definitely walking out today, I was a lot more nervous than I've been all tournament. But just trying to do what I've been doing the whole tournament, and luckily it came off.

Andre Russell: Of course. Age is just a number. Experience is everything. We all came out and we showed the experience tonight. We all played well collectively as a team and I think we all deserve to celebrate tonight. It was a very tight game. My pressure was up (smile), but it's just a game of cricket. And that's why we all love the game. (What does this franchise mean in the life of Andre Russell?) Every time I win a championship for this franchise, I get a bit teary-eyed because when you're playing for a franchise over a decade, you can't take that for granted. The trust and the faith that they've shown all the players is just amazing. So it's just another one for the Knight Rider family. And I'm happy to celebrate with my young brother here.

Rovman Powell: It means everything. I've played for the Knight Riders franchise for quite a few years now and we haven't won anything. So last night we sat down as a team and we came up with a plan of how to win. We have never made it this far in this competition, so it's good to see us as champions. Definitely we are going to party West Indian style tonight (smiles).

Hamilton: (On standing up to the stumps for the last ball) Well, I just don't want to make it too easy for them. Make them try something new rather than just walking down the wicket. So I backed myself to do the job for the team. (On the last-ball runout) Just get the ball and hit the stumps. Keep it simple. Has my hands as wide as possible. A good distance when I open them, so just hope and collect, hit the stumps.

Dwayne Bravo: It's a good feeling. Proud moment, proud achievement for the entire group. They deserve it. To the rich uncle, Kieron Pollard, this is for you (smiles). We deliver!

Shadley: (Last over plan) Keep it simple. Try and nail your yorker and don't worry about the result. That's it. (This moment means so much to you) I think so. I think this moment started five years ago. When myself and my family rocked up with two suitcases, and that's all we had. And that's the beauty of the game. Happy to come out with the right result. (On having a good year) Just amazing. I think God's been good. All the glory goes to him. I've just been fortunate to be on some winning sides, with some unbelievable players here, Minor League, everywhere. It's just been incredible.

Hamilton: I backed myself to do the job for the team. I just wanted to collect and hit the stumps.