MI London kicked off their quest for a fourth straight Hundred championship with a dominant seven‑wicket win over SunRisers Leeds at The Kia Oval, signalling that the revamped tournament – now featuring new branding and kits after a surge of overseas investment – still holds familiar storylines for the defending champions. The 2026 edition of The Hundred felt fresh, but the core of MI London, previously the Oval Invincibles, remained unchanged, and that continuity shone through on opening night. Chasing a target of 144, MI London’s innings was anchored by a scintillating partnership between Sam Curran and Nicholas Pooran. Curran, who smashed 60 runs off just 39 deliveries, and Pooran, who added 58 from a blistering 22 balls, stitched together a 93‑run stand for the fourth wicket.
Their aggressive approach allowed the side to cruise to victory with 16 balls still remaining, despite early setbacks that saw both Will Jacks and Jason Roy fall cheaply. SunRisers Leeds had set the tone with 143 runs from their allotted 99 balls. The innings was highlighted by Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 41 off 27 balls and Ryan Rickelton’s quick‑fire 25 off 16, both of which displayed the power‑hitting that has become a hallmark of the franchise.
However, the momentum was halted by the incisive spell of MI London’s bowler Richard Gleeson, who claimed four wickets for just 25 runs, dismantling the SunRisers’ top order and forcing a sub‑par total. The detailed 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’s early onslaught featured three fours and three sixes, but his momentum was halted when he was trapped lbw by a classic Sam Curran slower‑ball delivery after a 40‑run opening partnership with Rickelton, who himself launched three sixes before being dismissed. England’s white‑ball captain Harry Brook, drafted in as a replacement, survived only seven balls before being caught by Rashid Khan after a six off Nathan Sowter. With captain Zak Crawley contributing a quick 13 off 11 balls but failing to ignite a larger partnership, the onus fell to Tom Alsop, who struck 31 runs from just 18 balls, pushing the SunRisers to a respectable total. Gleeson’s penultimate wicket – Nathan Ellis – wrapped up the innings with a single ball to spare.
In response, MI London’s opening bowler Brydon Carse made an early impact, removing both Jacks and Roy within his first eight deliveries, creating a brief wobble in the chase. However, the turning point arrived when James Vince fell to a delivery from Nathan Ellis, and the innings steadied as Pooran and Curran launched a rapid 50‑run partnership over 23 balls. Curran reached his half‑century in 34 balls, while Pooran arrived at his fifty in just 19 balls, together dispatching ten fours and eight sixes, effectively sealing the win with ample overs to spare.
After the match, MI London captain Sam Curran reflected on his role: "I spent some time last year working on my game, and my experience captaining Surrey in the Blast and the ILT20 helped. I think I can read the situation well, both when batting and bowling. There are many strong voices around me, and it feels great to start the tournament on a high note." Nicholas Pooran, the match’s Meerkat Hero, added: "I knew exactly what was required of me and executed it. We kept a positive mindset, focused on boundaries, and aimed to take the partnership through.
Scoring runs builds confidence, but winning matches matters more, and I’m pleased we began our home campaign strongly." The double‑header on Wednesday continues with the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, where Southern Brave will face Welsh Fire. The women's fixture starts at 2:45 pm, followed by the men's game 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.