Du Plessis 113* trumps Seifert 104 as TSK begin season with big win

A Historic Start to the MLC 2026 Season

The Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season kicked off with an absolute thriller in Dallas, setting an incredibly high bar for the remainder of the tournament. In a match defined by explosive batting and remarkable individual milestones, Du Plessis 113* trumps Seifert 104 as TSK begin season with big win, leaving spectators in awe of the sheer quality on display.

Texas Super Kings (TSK) secured a dominant six-wicket victory against the Seattle Orcas, chasing down a formidable target of 221 with nine balls to spare. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Faf du Plessis, who, at 41 years and 340 days old, etched his name into the history books by becoming the oldest centurion in T20 cricket history. He eclipsed the previous record held by Paul Collingwood, who set the benchmark of 41 years and 65 days back in 2017.

The Duel of Centuries

The encounter was a tale of two contrasting centuries. While Tim Seifert of the Seattle Orcas played a magnificent knock of 104 off 66 balls—his sixth in the format—his innings was ultimately overshadowed by the sheer velocity of the Texas Super Kings’ pursuit. Seifert, alongside opening partner Shayan Jahangir (78 off 47), helped the Orcas post a daunting 220 for 2. Their partnership of 191 runs in just 17.2 overs suggested the total would be enough to secure a win, but the TSK batting lineup had other plans.

Faf du Plessis was simply unstoppable. Reaching his century in a mere 45 balls, he dictated terms from the outset. His unbeaten 113 off 52 deliveries was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, proving that age is merely a number when it comes to world-class skill and fitness.

The South African Connection in TSK’s Chase

The success of the Texas Super Kings was heavily bolstered by a strong South African contingent. Rilee Rossouw was instrumental in shifting the momentum during the middle overs, smashing a quick-fire 49 off just 21 balls. The partnership between Rossouw and du Plessis was particularly destructive, yielding 95 runs in a mere 37 balls, which effectively broke the spirit of the Seattle Orcas’ bowling attack.

As the match approached its conclusion, Wiaan Mulder ensured there were no late nerves, contributing a brisk, unbeaten 31 off 15 balls to carry the team over the line.

Bowling Discipline Under Pressure

While the batting grabbed most of the headlines, the TSK bowling effort deserves significant praise, specifically the performance of Nandre Burger. In a game where runs were flowing freely, Burger demonstrated exceptional control and variation. His four-over spell, which conceded only 27 runs, was the anchor of the TSK defense. Notably, he delivered a disciplined 19th over that went for only eight runs, preventing the Orcas from pushing their total even further beyond reach.

Looking Ahead

This match served as a perfect advertisement for the growth of cricket in the United States. With high-scoring affairs and record-breaking individual performances becoming the norm, fans can expect an exhilarating season. For the Texas Super Kings, starting the campaign with such a clinical chase against a strong opponent provides immense momentum. Conversely, the Seattle Orcas will look to reflect on their bowling tactics, despite an outstanding performance from their top-order batting unit.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on the form of Faf du Plessis and whether the Seattle Orcas can bounce back from this record-heavy defeat. One thing is certain: the MLC 2026 has started with a bang, and the standard of play is higher than ever.