MI London kicked off their quest for a fourth consecutive Hundred championship with a dominant seven‑wicket win over SunRisers Leeds at The Kia Oval, setting the tone for a freshly rebranded competition. The 2026 edition of The Hundred arrived with a new visual identity and updated kits, reflecting substantial overseas investment, yet the core of the tournament – fast‑paced, high‑scoring cricket – remained unchanged.
Formerly known as the Oval Invincibles, MI London proved that despite the cosmetic changes, their on‑field pedigree endures. Chasing a target of 144 runs, the defending champions displayed composure and firepower. Sam Curran, scoring an unbeaten 60 off just 39 deliveries, and Nicholas Pooran, contributing 58 not out from a blistering 22 balls, forged a spectacular 93‑run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their aggressive stroke‑play and strategic running allowed MI London to cruise to victory with 16 balls still remaining in the innings.
SunRisers Leeds, who entered the tournament last season under the Northern Superchargers banner, were bundled out for 143 runs in 99 balls. The innings was anchored by Mitchell Marsh, who smashed 41 runs off 27 balls, and Ryan Rickelton, who added 25 off 16. Their early fireworks, however, were curtailed by the incisive spell of Richard Gleeson, who claimed four wickets for 25 runs, dismantling the middle order and preventing a larger total. The full scorecard reads as follows: SunRisers Leeds – 143/9 (99 balls): Mitchell Marsh 41 (27), Ryan Rickelton 25 (16), Tom Alsop 31 (18); Richard Gleeson 4/25, Sam Curran 2/27.
MI London – 144/3 (84 balls): Sam Curran 60* (39), Nicholas Pooran 58* (22); Brydon Carse 2/18, Nathan Ellis 1/22. Marsh opened the innings with a flourish, dispatching three fours and three sixes before being trapped lbw by a textbook slower ball from Sam Curran. Rickelton, who had already struck three sixes, added a quick 40 runs for the first wicket alongside Marsh, only to fall to the same deceptive delivery from Curran. England's white‑ball captain Harry Brook, who replaced Rickelton, survived a mere seven balls before being clean bowled by Rashid Khan after an aggressive six off Nathan Sowter.
Despite these setbacks, Marsh steadied the innings with a mixture of boundaries and calculated singles, but his momentum was halted when the Curran brothers combined to remove him – a slower ball from Tom Curran was edged to Sam at cover. With the top order in disarray, captain Zak Crawley (13 off 11) could not accelerate the scoring, leaving Tom Alsop to step in with a rapid 31 off 18 balls, pushing the SunRisers to a respectable total before Gleeson dismissed Nathan Ellis to close the innings with a ball to spare. MI London's chase began shakily as Brydon Carse removed both Will Jacks and Jason Roy with his second and eighth deliveries, creating early doubt. However, the tide turned when James Vince fell to Nathan Ellis, and the partnership between Pooran and Curran steadied the ship.
The duo compiled a ferocious 50‑run stand in just 23 balls, with Curran reaching his half‑century in 34 deliveries and Pooran in a mere 19. Their partnership featured ten fours and eight sixes, effectively sealing the match and leaving ample runs in hand. Post‑match, MI London captain Sam Curran reflected on his leadership role, noting, "I spent last year working on my game, and my experience captaining Surrey in the Blast and the ILT20 has helped. I feel I can read the situation well, both when batting and bowling.
There are many great minds around me, and it's encouraging to start a tournament on a high note." Nicholas Pooran, named the Meerkat Match Hero, added, "I came in and did exactly what was required. We stayed positive, focused on hitting boundaries, and tried to take the partnership all the way. Scoring runs builds confidence, but winning is the ultimate goal, and I'm pleased we began the season strongly at home." The weekend also featured a women's double‑header at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, where Southern Brave faced Welsh Fire, followed by the men's contest later in the evening. Both matches were broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a full day of high‑octane cricket.
Overall, MI London's opening triumph underscores their intent to dominate the 2026 Hundred season. With Curran and Pooran in blistering form, and a squad that blends seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, they appear well‑equipped to defend their title against a field that, while newly styled, remains fiercely competitive.