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, marking a strong start to the freshly rebranded 2026 edition of the tournament. The competition this year has undergone a visual overhaul, featuring new team names and kits thanks to substantial overseas investment, yet MI London—formerly the Oval Invincibles—kept their winning formula intact. Facing a target of 144 runs, the defending champions leaned on a spectacular partnership between Sam Curran, who smashed 60 runs off just 39 balls, and Nicholas Pooran, who added 58 runs from a blistering 22‑ball effort. Their 93‑run stand for the fourth wicket steadied the chase after early setbacks that saw both Will Jacks and Jason Roy fall cheaply.
The duo’s aggressive intent allowed MI London to cruise to victory with 16 balls still remaining in the innings. **SunRisers Leeds Innings – 143/9 (99 balls)** - Mitchell Marsh: 41 (27 balls) - Ryan Rickelton: 25 (16 balls) - Tom Alsop: 31 (18 balls) - Bowling highlights: Richard Gleeson 4‑25, Sam Curran 2‑27 **MI London Innings – 144/3 (84 balls)** - Sam Curran: 60 (39 balls) - Nicholas Pooran: 58 (22 balls) - Brydon Carse: 2‑18 - Nathan Ellis: 1‑22 SunRisers, who entered the tournament last season under the Northern Superchargers banner, were bowled out for 143 in just 99 deliveries.
Their innings was anchored by the power‑hitting Mitchell Marsh, who struck three fours and three sixes, and Ryan Rickelton, who contributed a quick 25. However, Richard Gleeson’s disciplined spell—taking four wickets for 25 runs—kept the total manageable for MI London. Rickelton displayed his big‑hitting credentials early, blasting three sixes and forming a 40‑run opening partnership with Marsh before being dismissed lbw by a classic slower‑ball delivery from Sam Curran.
The English white‑ball captain, Harry Brook, replaced him but lasted only seven balls, falling to Rashid Khan after a six off Nathan Sowter. Marsh attempted to steady the ship, adding three fours and three sixes, but his momentum was halted when the Curran brothers combined to trap him; a slower ball from Tom Curran was caught by Sam at cover. With captain Zak Crawley contributing a brisk 13 off 11 balls, the innings relied heavily on Tom Alsop’s explosive 31 off 18 balls to push the total into a respectable range. Gleeson capped the SunRisers’ chase by dismissing Nathan Ellis with the final ball of the innings.
On the MI London side, Brydon Carse made an early impact, removing both Jacks and Roy within his first eight deliveries, which caused a brief wobble in the chase. James Vince then fell to a delivery from Ellis, but the tide turned when Pooran and Curran steadied the ship with a rapid 50‑run partnership that spanned just 23 balls. Curran reached his half‑century in 34 balls, while Pooran arrived at the milestone in an even quicker 19 balls. Together they struck ten fours and eight sixes, propelling the team to a comfortable win with plenty of overs to spare.
**Post‑match reflections** *Sam Curran, MI London captain, commented:* "I spent a bit of time last season working on my game, and my experience captaining Surrey in the Blast and the ILT20 has helped. I feel I can read the match situation well, both as a batsman and a bowler. While I’m not the sole voice in the dressing room—there are many great minds around—I’m pleased we’ve started the tournament on a high note." *Nicholas Pooran, the Meerkat Match Hero, added:* "I came in and did exactly what was required.
We tried to stay positive, hit a few boundaries, and take the partnership all the way. Scoring runs builds confidence, but winning matches matters more to me, and I’m thrilled we’ve begun our campaign with a win at home." The weekend’s Hundred double‑header will continue from the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, where Southern Brave face Welsh Fire.
The women’s fixture kicks off at 2:45 pm, followed by the men’s match at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis throughout the tournament.