Cricket Kitchen

Unmukt Chand’s unbeaten 86 and Russell’s 3 wickets give LAKR their first win in MLC 2025

June 23, 2025

Dallas – Unmukt Chand’s unbeaten 86 off 58 balls and Andre Russell’s impressive 3 for 30 helped Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) break their three-match losing streak in MLC 2025, defeating Seattle Orcas by six wickets. With this loss, the Orcas remain winless after four matches.

Opting to bat first, the Orcas posted a competitive total of 177 for 6, with useful contributions from their top-order batters.

In reply, LAKR had a shaky start, losing two wickets for just 7 runs by the third over. However, Unmukt Chand shifted the momentum with aggressive batting, guiding the team to 45/2 at the end of the powerplay. He struck back-to-back boundaries off Cameron Gannon in the fifth over and followed it up with a six and a four off Harmeet Singh in the sixth.

At the halfway mark, LAKR were 72/2. Chand was on 42 off 36 balls, while Saif Badar had made 17 off 16. Chand then took on Gerald Coetzee, smashing him for two sixes and two fours in a single 20-run over, turning the match in LAKR’s favor. Badar also contributed with two sixes and a four in just three balls.

Together, they stitched a 139-run stand off 79 balls, bringing LAKR close to the target. Badar eventually fell for 54 off 32, while Rovman Powell was dismissed after facing just three balls. Despite this, Chand calmly finished the match alongside Sherfane Rutherford, securing the win with 10 balls to spare.

This much-needed win has boosted LAKR’s confidence in the tournament, while Seattle Orcas continue to struggle without a single win so far.