Richard Gleeson, the 38‑year‑old England fast bowler signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as an injury replacement for Nuwan Thushara for INR 1.6 crore ahead of IPL 2026, opened his The Hundred 2026 campaign with MI London in spectacular fashion, delivering a match‑winning spell against Sunrisers Leeds.
The 38‑year‑old was drafted into RCB’s squad after Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara was denied a No‑Objection Certificate by Sri Lanka Cricket, enabling his participation in the season‑opening match of The Hundred 2026.
Now representing MI London — formerly Oval Invincibles and the reigning champions of The Hundred — Gleeson demonstrated his skill in the season‑opening fixture at The Kia Oval.
Richard Gleeson Delivers Four‑Wicket Masterclass for MI London
Leading MI London’s pace attack, Gleeson ripped through the Sunrisers Leeds batting order, claiming four wickets for just 25 runs. The veteran seamer struck at pivotal moments whenever a partnership seemed to be forming, and came within a single delivery of a hat‑trick after dismissing Zak Crawley and Benny Howell on successive balls, applying intense pressure.
His disciplined spell held Sunrisers Leeds to 143 runs, providing MI London with an ideal foundation for their chase.
MI London Kick Off Title Defence with Convincing Win
MI London’s chase began poorly as Brydon Carse delivered a fiery opening spell, exceeding 90 mph and dismissing both Will Jacks and birthday‑boy Jason Roy cheaply, leaving the champions at 4/2. After Nathan Ellis bowled James Vince for 13, MI London slipped to 51/3, with the momentum shifting to Sunrisers Leeds.
The tide turned when Nicholas Pooran arrived at the crease. The West Indies stalwart launched a stunning counter‑attack, scoring 58 runs off just 22 balls — including five fours and five sixes — and reached his fifty in only 19 deliveries, setting a new record for the fastest fifty in MI London’s history.
At the opposite end, captain Sam Curran anchored the innings, finishing unbeaten on 60 off 39 balls. Together, the pair forged an unbeaten 93‑run partnership off just 40 deliveries, taking MI London to 144/3 in 84 balls and sealing a dominant seven‑wicket win with 16 balls remaining, thus inaugurating their title defence in spectacular fashion.
