MI London opened their Hundred campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers at the Kia Oval, chasing down a target of 144 with 16 balls to spare in front of a crowd of 20,540. Nicholas Pooran's unbeaten 58 from 22 balls was the decisive contribution, but the win was built on collective batting resilience after a difficult start with the bat.

Sunrisers Set 144

Sunrisers posted 143, setting MI London a target of 144. The total appeared competitive on what the commentary described as a slow wicket early in the evening, though conditions were expected to ease once the floodlights came on.

Early Wickets Rock MI London

The chase began under immediate pressure. Brydon Carse, bowling from the first ball, made early inroads for Sunrisers. Will Jacks fell for 2 in the sixth ball of the innings, caught by Benny Howell at cover after being beaten by a delivery that angled in before seaming away. Jason Roy, playing on his 36th birthday, lasted just two balls, caught at slip by Mitchell Marsh off another sharp Carse delivery that seamed away to take a thick edge. MI London were 8 for 2 after ten balls, still requiring 136 from 90.

Carse's opening burst was exceptional. He bowled 15 of the first 20 balls, finishing his allocation of 20 balls with figures of 2 for 18 — a miserly return that kept Sunrisers firmly in the contest through the middle period of the chase.

Vince and Curran Steady the Ship

James Vince joined Sam Curran at the crease with the target well out of reach at the required rate. The pair navigated a testing period against Carse and Matthew Potts, who also proved economical. Runs came slowly as Curran and Vince worked the ball around without taking undue risks. Nathan Ellis was introduced and removed Vince for 17, bowled through the gate by a delivery that nipped back in off a length, leaving MI London at 51 for 3 after 44 balls with 93 still needed.

Pooran Takes Control

Nicholas Pooran arrived at the crease and immediately changed the tempo of the innings. Coming together with Curran, the pair put on a match-winning partnership in just 40 balls. Pooran took particular toll on the slower bowlers, hitting Benny Howell for three boundaries in quick succession — a four, a six, and another four — before treating Dan Lawrence's off-spin with equal disregard, launching a six high over the boundary.

Pooran reached his fifty from 19 balls, the fastest fifty in franchise history including the previous Oval Invincibles era. He and Curran shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership that overwhelmed Sunrisers' bowling attack, which had no answers once the pair were set.

Abrar Ahmed, introduced in search of a breakthrough, was swept and then launched over long on by Pooran for consecutive sixes. Sam Curran, meanwhile, was playing his own measured but increasingly aggressive innings, reaching fifty from 34 balls with a range of shots that included driving and pulling with authority.

Victory Secured

The winning runs came off Matthew Potts, with Pooran launching beyond mid off to seal the chase. Curran finished unbeaten on 60 from 39 balls, with five fours and two sixes. Pooran ended 58 not out from 22 deliveries, striking four fours and five sixes in a knock that took MI London from a precarious 51 for 3 to a comfortable victory with more than two overs remaining.

Sunrisers, who had made a strong start with the ball through Carse, Ellis and Potts, found their bowling resources exhausted in the closing stages. Once the lights were on and the pitch quickened, the balance of the game shifted decisively toward MI London, who completed a convincing win at the start of their Hundred campaign.