Sam Curran stars as MI London beat Sunrisers Leeds in opener

Sam Curran delivered the opening statement of The Hundred Men's Competition 2026 with an unbeaten 60 and two wickets as MI London beat Sunrisers Leeds by seven wickets at the Oval. In the first match of the men's competition, Curran was not just the standout performer but also MI London's captain, giving the side an early blend of leadership, control and finishing power.

The day-night fixture at Kennington Oval in London gave MI London an immediate test of balance, and Curran answered it from both sides of the game. Nicholas Pooran finished unbeaten on 58, a support act that turned the chase into a composed finish rather than a scramble. For Sunrisers Leeds, Matthew Potts returned 0 for 33, a figure that underlined how hard it was to contain MI London's top-end batting once the target came into view.

That combination of Curran's all-round output and Pooran's clean hitting made MI London look well judged for the demands of the short format. Curran's value went beyond the scorecard: as captain and all-rounder, he gave MI London a player who could influence the contest with the ball, then close it with the bat. That dual role is exactly what title challengers need in The Hundred, where one decisive spell or one rapid partnership can define an entire evening.

The seven-wicket margin also said something about MI London's selection choices. Handing Curran the leadership role brought their most versatile player to the centre of the plan, and the response suggested the squad has enough batting depth to absorb pressure and enough bowling options to keep opponents from building control. With Curran and Pooran both unbeaten at the finish, MI London left the Oval with more than two points. They left with an early marker for the tournament and a clear signal that their balance is built for a serious run.