MI London began their pursuit of a fourth successive Hundred title with a commanding seven-wicket victory over SunRisers Leeds at The Kia Oval, as the new-look competition got under way.
The 2026 edition of The Hundred had a different feel to it with name and kit changes following heavy overseas investment but MI London, formerly known as Oval Invincibles, ensured some things remained constant.
Chasing 144 for an opening-night victory, Sam Curran (60no off 39) and Nicholas Pooran (58no off 22) produced a blistering 93-run fourth-wicket partnership as the defending champions weathered the early loss of Will Jacks and Jason Roy to cruise to victory with 16 balls to spare.
SunRisers, who appeared in last year’s competition under the Northern Superchargers name, had earlier been bowled out for 143 runs in 99 balls, with the big-hitting Mitchell Marsh (41 off 27) and Ryan Rickleton (25 off 16) top scoring before Richard Gleeson (4-25) ripped through the order.
Rickelton blasted three sixes as he put on 40 for the first wicket alongside Marsh before he was brilliantly trapped lbw by a trademark Sam Curran slower ball.
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Six and out for Harry Brook! The England captain falls after scoring just eight runs for the SunRisers against MI London in The Hundred.
His replacement, England white-ball captain Harry Brook, lasted just seven balls, holing out to Rashid Khan on eight the ball after smashing Nathan Sowter for six.
Marsh steadied, striking three fours and three sixes before being undone by the Curran brothers, chipping a slower ball from Tom into the hands of Sam at cover.
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Curran combo! Tom’s ‘beauty’ of a delivery is rewarded with catch by his brother Sam.
With captain Zak Crawley (13 off 11) unable to kick the SunRisers into gear, it was left to Tom Alsop’s 31 off 18 balls to help post a respectable total before Gleeson removed Nathan Ellis to wrap up their innings with a ball to spare.
Carse removed Jacks and Roy with the sixth and eighth balls of his opening spell as MI London suffered an early wobble in their run chase.
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Outrageous! Abrar Ahmed hits Richard Gleeson’s hat-trick ball for a massive six!
But after James Vince was bowled by Ellis, Pooran and Curran steadied the ship with a rapid-fire 50-run stand from 23 balls.
Curran brought up his fifty in 34 balls before Pooran reached his in 19, as the pair shared 10 fours and eight sixes to propel MI London to victory with plenty in reserve.
Captain Curran: I can read the game well
MI London captain Sam Curran:
“I did a little bit last year trying to work on things and it helps that I have captained for Surrey in the Blast and in the ILT20.
“I feel I can read the game quite well and that I can anchor run chases. I think I read the game well as I bowl.
“But I don’t feel like a captain as there are so many good voices. I have so many great brains around and it is nice to start a tournament well.”
Pooran: We just tried to stay positive
Meerkat Match Hero, Nicholas Pooran:
“I came in and did exactly what I needed to do.
“We just tried to stay as positive as we could. It was all about hitting a few boundaries and trying to take the partnership all the way to the end.
“Scoring runs gives you confidence but winning games is more important to me and I am happy we got off to the right start at home.”
What’s next?
Wednesday’s Hundred double-header comes from the Utilita Bowl in Southampton as Southern Brave take on Welsh Fire. The women’s game starts at 2.45pm, with the men’s match under way from 6.30pm. Catch both fixtures live on Sky Sports.
