3 reasons why Texas Super Kings are dark horses to win MLC 2024
The Texas Super Kings have had a decent Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 campaign. With three wins in five games, they finished in the league stage in the third position to qualify for the playoffs.
After a loss and no-result in their first two games, the Super Kings opened their account in the third game with a seven-wicket victory over the San Francisco Unicorns. Then, the Faf du Plessis-led side secured two more victories to have a smooth passage to the knockout stage.
This year, the Super Kings would look to turn the tables as they failed to reach the final in the last season. Although they qualified for the playoffs, the Men in Yellow lost Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 to get eliminated from the competition.
On that note, let's take a look at how the Texas Super Kings are shaping up to be a dark horse in the MLC 2024 playoffs.
#1 In-form opening pair of Faf du Plessis & Devon Conway
The Super Kings boast a credible opening pair of Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway, who have been consistent in this format.
In this season, Du Plessis has emerged as the best batter with 303 runs in six innings at an average of 50.50 with a strike rate of 172.15. He scored a sensational century off 58 balls against Washington Freedom.
Meanwhile, Conway has been a strong support to the side, with a contribution of 180 runs from six innings at a strike rate of 146.34.
Together, the duo have provided strong starts to the side and can be reliable run-scorers in the playoffs due to their track record in T20s.
#2 Well-rounded bowling attack
Most of the bowlers have produced impressive performances for the side in the tournament. Zia-ul-Haq and Marcus Stoinis have risen to the occasion to secure six breakthroughs each.
Although Naveen-ul-Haq has misfired, the likes of spinner Mohammad Mohsin and Dwayne Bravo have performed strongly for the Texas Super Kings. Meanwhile, the wily spinner Noor Ahmad has returned with five scalps in two games and brings an X-factor to the side.
Interestingly, Ottneil Baartman played his first game of the season in the team's last outing and finished with figures of 3/20. All in all, the side has enough ammunition in the bowling attack and could continue their strong form in the business end of MLC 2024 as well.
#3 Presence of experienced players
The Texas Super Kings have the presence of experienced players, who have previously delivered in crunch situations. The likes of Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo add a lot of experience to the side, thus helping the team to remain calm in tricky situations.
Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis has been a terrific all-round performer in the shortest format. Playing for the Lucknow Super Giants, he smashed an unbeaten 124 off 63 balls against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024 to deliver one of the finest T20 knocks in a high-scoring chase.
Mitchell Santner, another utility player, could be a silent performer for the side in both departments.