MI London kicked off their title defense with an impressive seven-wicket victory over SunRisers Leeds at The Kia Oval as the 2026 edition of The Hundred commenced.

The match showcased a new dynamic with changes in names and kits due to overseas investments, yet MI London, formerly known as Oval Invincibles, maintained their winning tradition. Chasing a target of 144 runs, MI London overcame an early setback by losing Will Jacks and Jason Roy. The standout performance came from Sam Curran (60 not out off 39 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (58 not out off 22 balls), who forged a remarkable 93-run partnership for the fourth wicket, securing victory with 16 balls to spare.

SunRisers Leeds, previously the Northern Superchargers, struggled initially, being bowled out for 143 runs in 99 balls. Mitchell Marsh (41 off 27) and Ryan Rickleton (25 off 16) were the top scorers, with Richard Gleeson taking 4 wickets for 25 runs to dismantle their batting order.

In the MI London innings, after an early wobble, the partnership between Curran and Pooran revitalized their chase, with both players reaching their fifties in style. Curran expressed confidence in his captaincy and game reading skills, while Pooran emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive approach throughout the match.

With this strong start, MI London looks poised for another successful campaign in their quest for a fourth consecutive title.