Shah Rukh Khan celebrates MLC LA Knight Riders’ first title after a thrilling final victory

Team LAKR with MLC Trophy (X) Shah Rukh Khan welcomed the Los Angeles Knight Riders after the franchise clinched their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title and congratulated the players for living up to their promise to win the championship and celebrating another milestone for the growth of cricket in the United States. The Bollywood superstar, who co-owns the franchise, took to social media after LAKR defeated the Washington Freedom in a dramatic final at the Oakland Coliseum. Appreciating the team’s all-round effort, Shah Rukh singled out senior stars Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Andre Russell and applauded the entire team for delivering the club’s first MLC crown.

Posted by Shah Rukh Khan

“LAKR Stadium. Championship….cricket in America….amazing @SunilPNarine74 @Jaseholder98 @Russell12A and the whole team. Absolutely outstanding. You all said we are here to win not just participate….and you showed it. Love you all….Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo!” Shah Rukh posted. The title win comes just weeks after Shah Rukh officially opened the Knight Riders Cricket Stadium in California. Located in the Fairplex in Pomona, Los Angeles County, it is home to the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Inaugurated in July 2026, the stadium currently has a capacity of around 5,000 with temporary seating and plans to expand to over 20,000 permanent seats. LAKR sealed the championship with a nerve-wracking win over defending champions Washington Freedom after successfully defending 164 in the match leading up to the final ball. Sunil Narine and Jason Holder, who have taken more than 1000 T20 wickets together, produced decisive spells to put Washington Freedom under immense pressure. Narine struck early by dismissing Mitchell Owen for the third time in as many meetings before Rachin Ravindra and Steve Smith were removed, reducing Freedom to 29/3. Andries Gous and Nikhil Chaudhary held on to the chase with a 65-run partnership, but Holder turned the tide again by dismissing Chaudhary for his 400th T20 wicket before removing Ben Dwarshuis and later Gous. Obus Pienaar almost grabbed victory with a breathtaking 53 off just 24 balls, crushing Freedom back into contention with a string of towering sixes. The equation was reduced to just two runs off the last delivery, but Pienaar’s dismissal in the last over proved decisive. Lahiru Milantha then attempted a second run off the last ball to hand the Knight Riders a dramatic victory and their first MLC title. Earlier, LAKR were posted 164 after Colin Munro and Andre Fletcher gave them a flying start, but Washington Freedom fought back through Nikhil Chaudhary, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Dwarshuis with regular wickets to restrict the total. However, Narine and Holder’s experience with the ball eventually proved the difference as the Knight Riders lifted the trophy for the first time, ending MI New York and Washington Freedom’s early dominance in the league.