Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Nicholas Pooran launched MI London’s Hundred title defence with an unbeaten 58 from 22 balls against SunRisers Leeds at The Oval on Tuesday night. The defending men’s champions won by seven wickets after producing a dominant chase in the 2026 opener.

MI London reached 144-3 with 16 deliveries remaining after SunRisers Leeds were dismissed for 143. Nicholas Pooran struck five sixes and five fours, reaching 50 from 19 balls for an MI London record.

Also read: England Cricket Faces Growing Divide Over Test Leadership.

Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran finish chase

Nicholas Pooran joined MI London captain Sam Curran for an unbeaten 93-run partnership from only 40 balls. Sam Curran made 60 from 39 deliveries, allowing Nicholas Pooran to attack the boundaries and quickly remove any pressure from the chase.

“Sam was set and we just tried to stay as positive as we could. It was all about hitting a couple to the boundary and trying to take that partnership all the way through to the end,” player of the match Nicholas Pooran said.

“This year has been a really challenging year for me personally when it comes to batting so I'm just really happy to have the opportunity to continue to do what I love to do.”

The official Hundred match highlights show how the left-hander’s clean hitting turned a controlled pursuit into a comfortable victory.

SunRisers Leeds innings loses momentum

Australia T20 captain Mitchell Marsh top-scored for SunRisers Leeds with 41 from 27 deliveries, hitting three fours and three sixes. Tom Alsop added 31, but MI London kept taking wickets and prevented the innings from building late momentum.

Richard Gleeson led the MI London attack with 4-25, while Sam Curran collected 2-27. Australia fast bowler Nathan Ellis took 1-22 after earlier being dismissed for a golden duck from the final ball of the SunRisers Leeds innings.

SunRisers Leeds captain Zak Crawley made 13 before being caught in the deep. Harry Brook hit Rashid Khan for six but was dismissed by the Afghanistan leg-spinner from the following delivery for eight.

Nicholas Pooran’s rapid scoring and Sam Curran’s control gave the defending champions the ideal start to the season.