RCB pacer stars with four-wicket haul for MI London in The Hundred 2026 opener
Richard Gleeson, who was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as an injury replacement for Nuwan Thushara for INR 1.6 crore ahead of IPL 2026, made a sensational start to his The Hundred 2026 campaign with MI London, producing a match-winning spell against Sunrisers Leeds.
The 38-year-old England pacer was drafted into RCB's squad after Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara was unable to join the franchise, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) refusing to grant him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
Now representing MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles), the defending champions of The Hundred, Gleeson showcased his class in the opening match of the 2026 season at The Kia Oval.
Richard Gleeson shines with four-wicket haul
Leading MI London's pace attack, Gleeson ripped through the Sunrisers Leeds batting lineup, returning outstanding figures of 4/25. The veteran seamer struck at crucial moments whenever Sunrisers Leeds looked set to build a partnership. He also came within one delivery of a hat-trick after dismissing Zak Crawley and Benny Howell off successive balls, putting the opposition under immense pressure.
His disciplined spell restricted Sunrisers Leeds to 143, laying the perfect platform for MI London's chase.
MI London begin title defence in style
MI London's chase got off to the worst possible start as Brydon Carse produced a fiery opening spell, clocking speeds in excess of 90mph. The Sunrisers Leeds pacer removed Will Jacks and birthday boy Jason Roy cheaply, reducing the defending champions to 4/2. When Nathan Ellis bowled James Vince for 13, MI London found themselves in trouble at 51/3, with the momentum firmly in Sunrisers' favour.
However, the game turned completely after Nicholas Pooran walked to the crease. The West Indies star launched a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 58 off just 22 balls*, including five fours and five sixes. He raced to his half-century in just 19 deliveries, registering the fastest fifty in MI London's history.
At the other end, captain Sam Curran played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 39 balls. The duo stitched together an unbroken 93-run partnership off only 40 deliveries, guiding MI London to 144/3 in 84 balls and sealing a commanding seven-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare to begin their title defence in style.
The 38-year-old England pacer was drafted into RCB's squad after Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara was unable to join the franchise, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) refusing to grant him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
Now representing MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles), the defending champions of The Hundred, Gleeson showcased his class in the opening match of the 2026 season at The Kia Oval.
Richard Gleeson shines with four-wicket haul
Leading MI London's pace attack, Gleeson ripped through the Sunrisers Leeds batting lineup, returning outstanding figures of 4/25. The veteran seamer struck at crucial moments whenever Sunrisers Leeds looked set to build a partnership. He also came within one delivery of a hat-trick after dismissing Zak Crawley and Benny Howell off successive balls, putting the opposition under immense pressure.
His disciplined spell restricted Sunrisers Leeds to 143, laying the perfect platform for MI London's chase.
MI London begin title defence in style
MI London's chase got off to the worst possible start as Brydon Carse produced a fiery opening spell, clocking speeds in excess of 90mph. The Sunrisers Leeds pacer removed Will Jacks and birthday boy Jason Roy cheaply, reducing the defending champions to 4/2. When Nathan Ellis bowled James Vince for 13, MI London found themselves in trouble at 51/3, with the momentum firmly in Sunrisers' favour.
However, the game turned completely after Nicholas Pooran walked to the crease. The West Indies star launched a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 58 off just 22 balls*, including five fours and five sixes. He raced to his half-century in just 19 deliveries, registering the fastest fifty in MI London's history.
At the other end, captain Sam Curran played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 39 balls. The duo stitched together an unbroken 93-run partnership off only 40 deliveries, guiding MI London to 144/3 in 84 balls and sealing a commanding seven-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare to begin their title defence in style.
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