Welsh Fire beat MI London by 15 runs – The Hundred Match Report

25th July 2026

Welsh Fire won by 15 runs in the 6th match of 34 in The Hundred at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Rachin Ravindra delivered a masterclass with the bat, smashing 98 off just 44 balls to power Welsh Fire to 167 for 5, before Lockie Ferguson dismantled MI London’s chase with a devastating 4 for 27. The win extends Welsh Fire’s perfect start to the tournament – 2 wins from 2 matches – while MI London slip to 2nd place with 1 win and 1 loss.

Welsh Fire’s Explosive Batting Display

MI London won the toss and elected to bowl, but Welsh Fire’s top order made them pay immediately. Philip Salt fell cheaply for 6 at 11 for 1 in the 3rd over, caught off Trent Boult‘s bowling. Matthew Short followed at 20 for 2 in the 4th over, clean bowled by Richard Gleeson.

But Joe Root steadied the ship with 29 off 26 balls, building a crucial 116-run partnership with Ravindra that shifted the momentum decisively. Root was stumped at 136 for 3 in the 16th over, but by then the damage was done – Ravindra was in full flight.

Ravindra’s innings was a thing of beauty. He struck 7 fours and 7 sixes, reaching 98 off 44 balls at a strike rate of 223 before being caught at 163 for 4 in the 19th over. Jordan Cox provided the final flourish with 17 off 9 (1 four, 1 six), while Marco Jansen contributed 4 off 2 before being run out in the final over. Welsh Fire’s 167 for 5 proved a bridge too far for MI London.

Ferguson’s Four-Wicket Masterclass

MI London’s chase began promisingly when Will Jacks struck 12 off 7 (2 fours) before falling at 18 for 1. But Ferguson’s introduction changed everything. The New Zealand quick took 4 for 27 from 3.2 overs – a devastating spell that included the wickets of Jason Roy (clean bowled for 14 at 72 for 3), Sam Curran (caught for a duck at 72 for 4), and Nicholas Pooran (caught for 17 at 104 for 5).

James Vince fought hard with 66 off 38 (7 fours, 4 sixes) at a strike rate of 174, but lacked sufficient support. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 24 off 18 (2 fours, 1 six) and Tom Curran added 10 off 11, but MI London fell 15 runs short at 152 for 6. Samuel Cook took 1 for 19 from 3.2 overs for Welsh Fire, while Ravindra chipped in with 1 for 25 from 2.3 overs.

Statz MVP: Rachin Ravindra (Statz Rating: 163.22)

Rachin Ravindra earns the Statz MVP award with a rating of 163.22 – a commanding performance that defined the match. His 98 off 44 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) at a strike rate of 223 was the centrepiece of Welsh Fire’s total, and his 1 for 25 with the ball added value in the field. The official Man of the Match also went to Ravindra, recognising his match-winning all-round display.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

Turning Point

The match turned decisively when Ferguson was introduced into the attack during MI London’s chase. His spell of 4 for 27 from 3.2 overs – particularly the dismissals of Roy, Sam Curran and Pooran in quick succession – left MI London’s middle order in tatters. By the time Vince was caught at 122 for 2 in the 14th over, the chase had effectively been won and lost.

Tournament Context

Welsh Fire’s victory extends their unbeaten record to 2 wins from 2 matches, placing them top of The Hundred standings with 8 points and a net run rate of 0.632. MI London remain 2nd with 4 points from 2 matches (1 win, 1 loss) and a net run rate of 1.198. Check the full head-to-head record and explore bet builder markets on Statz Cricket for more insight into this contest.