San Francisco Unicorns pacer Haris Rauf and MI New York batsman Tajinder Singh were involved in a short but heated on-field moment in their Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 match on Monday (IST). The altercation happened in the final delivery of the 15th over of the MI New York innings when a sharp yorker from Rauf hit Tajinder on the pads. The bowler and his colleagues went up in a vociferous appeal, but the umpire was not shaken.

Seething but calm, Rauf suddenly spun around, gathered the ball, and looked like he was about to bowl it back in at the stumps in case Tajinder had remained outside his crease. The air was thick with tension, particularly with Tajinder still without a run on the board. For an instant, it seemed things could get out of hand, but both men were able to contain themselves.

Tajinder, catching sight of Rauf's response, automatically lifted his hand and backpedaled into his crease in case the throw was attempted. Thankfully, Rauf did not go on to release the ball after double-checking the batter was safely inside the popping crease. What ensued was a hearty laugh from both of them, observing the game's escalation even at heightened stress situations.

Sportsmanship Triumphs During Heated Situation

In spite of the initial tension, the meeting ended on a cordial note, with both players de-escalating the situation with smiles. It was a reminder of how much room for mutual respect and camaraderie on the ground there can be even for the most intense competition.

Watch the video here

It's getting a little hot out there 😅 pic.twitter.com/VIGS4m1uPW

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 16, 2025

See Also: WATCH: Digvesh Rathi takes 5 wickets in 5 balls during local T20 match

The incident soon went viral on social media with accolades for both Rauf's aggression and Tajinder's alertness. In a tournament that already has given fans so many dramatic moments, this confrontation of bat vs. ball added another dimension of suspense to MLC 2025.

In Match 6 of the 2025 Major League Cricket season, the San Francisco Unicorns played against MI New York at Oakland Coliseum, California. San Francisco Unicorns won the toss and decided to bowl first. In a close score set by MI New York, the Unicorns also successfully chased down the score, clinching a thrilling 3-wicket win with five balls to spare.

MI New York Innings

MI New York scored 182/7 in their 20 innings after batting first. Quinton de Kock top-scored with a fluent 63 runs off 38 balls. His innings showed great aggressive intent in helping MI New York to a defendable score, and he was well supported by Kieron Pollard (30 off 16) and Sunny Patel (20 off 11). Among the bowlers for the Unicorns, Haris Rauf and Carmi le Roux each took two wickets and returned 2/24 and 2/34 respectively. Hassan Khan added 2/54 for his 4 overs.

San Francisco Unicorns Innings

Pursuing 183, the Unicorns made a good beginning with Xavier Bartlett thrashing 59 off only 25 balls. He was well aided by Hassan Khan, who hit 43 from 17 balls to sustain the momentum. Tim Seifert's calm 33 from 27 in the middle overs kept the run chase on course. Though MI New York struggled to counter with Naveen ul Haq (2/28) and Ehsan Adil (2/43), the Unicorns kept calm and made it to the target in 19.1 overs, scoring 188/7.

See Also: MLC 2025, Match 5: Los Angeles Knight Riders vs Texas Super Kings Full Match Highlights

San Francisco Unicorns vs MI New York: Match Scorecard

MI New York – 182/7 (20 Overs)

San Francisco Unicorns – 188/7 (19.1 Overs)

In the sixth match of the MLC 2025, the San Francisco Unicorns vs MI New York (SF vs NY) at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland on Sunday evening, June 15 (starting time at 02:30 IST on June 16).

San Francisco Unicorns will play their third game of the season, and MI New York will play their second game of the tournament. Unicorns won both their matches, while New York lost their season opener. 

The MLC 2024 runners-up San Francisco Unicorns started the third season of MLC with a dominant 123-run win against the defending champions Washington Freedom. In that game, Unicorns scored 269/5, thanks to Finn Allen’s 151 off 51 balls. In their next game, Unicorns faced LA Knight Riders, where Unicorns scored 219/8 and won by 32 runs.

Meanwhile, the inaugural MLC champions MI New York started the MLC 2025 with a three-run defeat against Texas Super Kings. After Texas scored 185/6, MI replied with 182/8 in 20 overs.

It will be the third MLC meeting between San Francisco Unicorns and MI New York. Unicorns won their 2023 meeting by 22 runs after scoring 215/5. In the 2024 season, Unicorns won by three runs after defending their first innings total of 148/7. 

See Also: SF VS NY MLC 2025: Players to watch out

MLC 2025, Match 6: SF vs NY - Playing XIs Status

San Francisco Unicorns have started the season strongly, while MI New York are unlikely to change their first match playing XI after losing by three runs. 

MLC 2025, Match 6: SF vs NY Probable Playing XI

San Francisco Unicorns Predicted Playing XI: Finn Allen, Jake Fraser McGurk, Tim Seifert (wk), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Cooper Connolly, Corey Anderson (Captain), Haris Rauf, Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, Liam Plunkett.

MI New York Predicted Playing XI: Agni Chopra, Monank Patel, Quinton de Kock (wk), Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Tajinder Dhillon, Sunny Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ehsan Adil

The  Major League Cricket 2025 will be between SFU vs MINY. There are a lot of exciting players from both countries and around the world on both teams, and this game should set the tone for the tournament. The game will take place in California at the storied Oakland Coliseum. As the league promises exciting action, big sixes, clever bowling, and the emergence of young stars, fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. 

• SFU vs MINY – 6th Match
•  Date: Monday, June 17, 2025
•  Time: 6:30 AM IST (June 16, 9 PM EDT)
•  Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California

Where to watch

• India: Star Sports/ Disney+ Hotstar (app + website)
• USA & Canada: Willow TV
• Australia: Channel 7
• New Zealand: Sky NZ
• Middle East & North Africa: Cricbuzz app/website
• Caribbean: ESPN

Also Read: WOR vs LAN Dream11 Prediction Today: Fantasy Cricket Tips Playing XI

SFU vs MINY Probable Playing XIs:

San Francisco Unicorns Probable Playing XIs

MI New York Probable Playing XIs

Agni Chopra, Nicholas Pooran, Sunny Patel, Monank Patel(C), Quinton de Kock, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Rushil Ugarkar, Nosthush Kenjige, Trent Boult

The  Major League Cricket 2025 will be between SFU vs MINY. There are a lot of exciting players from both countries and around the world on both teams, and this game should set the tone for the tournament. The game will take place in California at the storied Oakland Coliseum. As the league promises exciting action, big sixes, clever bowling, and the emergence of young stars, fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. 

• SFU vs MINY – 6th Match
•  Date: Monday, June 17, 2025
•  Time: 6:30 AM IST (June 16, 9 PM EDT)
•  Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California

Players to Watch Out For
San Francisco Unicorns
Finn Allen: Broke a world record by scoring 151 off 51 balls in the opener, with 19 sixes.
Jake Fraser-McGurk destroyed an 88 off 38 balls in the second match.
Haris Rauf already 7 wickets in 2 matches, and is bowling at a lethal pace.
Corey Anderson: Adding stability in the middle and leading from the front.

MI New York
Nicholas Pooran: The most reliable and attacking batsman of MINY.
Rashid Khan: Among the most feared spinners in the world, a game changer with bat and ball.
Trent Boult: Left-arm pace threat, particularly in the powerplay.
Quinton de Kock: Roger the Dodger at the top of the order who relishes the intensity of chases.

Also Read: WOR vs LAN Dream11 Prediction Today: Fantasy Cricket Tips Playing XI

SFU vs MINY Probable Playing XIs:

San Francisco Unicorns Probable Playing XIs

MI New York Probable Playing XIs

Agni Chopra, Nicholas Pooran, Sunny Patel, Monank Patel(C), Quinton de Kock, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Rushil Ugarkar, Nosthush Kenjige, Trent Boult

The  Major League Cricket 2025 will be between SFU vs MINY. There are a lot of exciting players from both countries and around the world on both teams, and this game should set the tone for the tournament. The game will take place in California at the storied Oakland Coliseum. As the league promises exciting action, big sixes, clever bowling, and the emergence of young stars, fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. 

• SFU vs MINY – 6th Match
•  Date: Monday, June 17, 2025
•  Time: 6:30 AM IST (June 16, 9 PM EDT)
•  Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California

Key Player Battles
Finn Allen vs Trent Boult
Boult’s new-ball swing and speed will provide the acid test for Allen’s aggressive approach.
Jake Fraser-McGurk v Rashid Khan
Youngster aggression vs old spin wizardry in an interesting battle. Sweepers and Saddies, Low total, but the chasing team should win the title really 
Pooran & de Kock vs Haris Rauf: If they can hang around through Rauf’s pace barrage, MINY might have a big total in them.
Anderson/Krishnamurthi Vs O Azmatullah OmarzaiMiddle-over squeeze from Omarzai might be key to halt SFU’s roll.

SFU vs MINY Probable Playing XIs:

San Francisco Unicorns Probable Playing XIs

MI New York Probable Playing XIs

Agni Chopra, Nicholas Pooran, Sunny Patel, Monank Patel(C), Quinton de Kock, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Rushil Ugarkar, Nosthush Kenjige, Trent Boult

The sixth match of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 between San Francisco Unicorns (SF) and MI New York (NY) takes place at the iconic Oakland Coliseum, beginning at 6:30 AM IST on Monday, June 16, 2025. Table-toppers SF, led by Corey Anderson and featuring stars like Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Liam Plunkett, has won both of their initial matches during the 2025 season. MI New York, led by Nicholas Pooran, will try to bounce back from an opening game loss and try to break SF's unblemished record.

This morning match, which is part of a double-header, will see exciting T20 action before a lively 12,000-strong crowd celebrating MLC's record West Coast launch. With SF leading the head-to-head strength, this do-or-die match at the Coliseum, which is known to favor batting, could prove to be a turning point in the longer 34-game season.

Oakland Coliseum Cricket Stadium Stats

The Oakland Coliseum is hosting its inaugural tier-one cricket games in MLC 2025, using a drop-in pitch from Nassau County, New York. The pitch is providing early seam movement but then becomes batsman-friendly, as in the season opener's high-scoring encounter. As the second match of the June 15-16 double-header, the pitch could flatten even more, possibly resulting in another run-fest.

• Total Matches: 4
• Batting 1st Won: 3
• Batting 2nd Won: 1
• No Result: 0
• Highest Total: 269/5 San Francisco Unicorns v Washington Freedom in 2025
• Lowest Total: 146 all out, Washington Freedom v San Francisco Unicorns in 2025
• Lowest Defended: 269/5 San Francisco Unicorns v Washington Freedom in 2025
• Average 1st Innings Score: ~227
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 164

See Also: MLC 2025, LAS vs TEX Match 5: Oakland Coliseum cricket stadium stats and Head to Head

SF vs NY: Head-to-Head Record

The San Francisco Unicorns and the New York Renegades have crossed paths twice in MLC history, with SF winning both matches, making it a tough game for NY this time around. The matches highlighted SF's invincibility, with NY failing to cope with their well-balanced attack. This spotless record makes their third meet at the Coliseum even more interesting.

• Total Matches: 2
• SF Wins: 2
• NY Wins: 0
• No Result: 0

Win %: San Francisco Unicorns – 100% (2/2), New York Renegades – 0% (0/2)