The 2025 edition of The Hundred kicked off with a bang—and a crash, if you’re a London Spirit fan. Defending champions Oval Invincibles made minced meat out of a Spirit squad missing key players, winning by six wickets with a mind-boggling 31 balls to spare. The star of the show? Rashid Khan, back in action and back in beast mode.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a clinical autopsy.
Rashid Khan Returns Like He Never Left
Let’s talk spin wizardry. Rashid Khan, making his debut for the Invincibles, spun the Spirit into knots. His figures? 3 wickets for just 11 runs in 20 balls. It was less of a bowling spell and more of a disappearing act—for London’s batting lineup.
Even after a break post-IPL, Rashid looked sharper than a samurai sword. With turn, drift, and perfect control, he dismantled the Spirit middle-order like a jenga tower in a hurricane.
“Ten years of cricket helps,” Rashid said post-match. Clearly.
Sam Curran Brought the Fire
Sam Curran, always the man for the moment, matched Rashid with 3-18 in 19 balls. Add 25 dot balls between the two, and it’s no surprise that London Spirit stumbled to 80 all out—the second-lowest total in the history of The Hundred.
Curran’s pace variations and calm under pressure perfectly complemented Rashid’s mystery spin. Add Jordan Clark and Jason Behrendorff’s early scalps of David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Keaton Jennings, and you have the Spirit spiritless by the 50-ball mark.
Spirit’s Missing Pieces, and Missing Runs
With Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, and Ollie Pope out of action, London Spirit’s batting was about as stable as a Jenga tower in an earthquake. Only Ashton Turner (21 off 14) and Ryan Higgins (12) reached double digits.
The decision to bat first didn’t help either. On a pitch that offered spin, bounce, and the occasional demon, setting a target was a trap of their own making.
Invincibles Chase with Minor Hiccups
The chase wasn’t flawless—but it didn’t need to be. Will Jacks (24) and Tawanda Muyeye (18) gave a steady start. A slight wobble (from 51/1 to 66/4) might’ve raised a few eyebrows, but Sam Billings and Donovan Ferreira shut the door firmly.
Ferreira sealed the deal with a six off Wood—because why finish with a whimper when you can go out with a wallop?
Betting Angle – 188BET Odds Recap
According to 188BET, the pre-match odds had Oval Invincibles as slight favourites at 1.72, with London Spirit trailing at 2.10. Bettors who backed Rashid Khan for Top Bowler (odds 4.00) are laughing their way to the payout screen.
Watch this space—markets are already heating up for Invincibles’ next fixture. With Rashid in form and the bowling unit firing, their outright title odds might not stay this juicy for long.
FAQs – Other People Also Ask
Oval Invincibles won by 6 wickets, chasing down 80 in just 69 balls.
Rashid Khan used the dry pitch conditions brilliantly, bowling with tight control and sharp spin, ending with 3 wickets for 11 runs.
Missing key players like Jamie Smith, Overton, and Pope, Spirit failed to post a competitive score, crumbling to 80 all out.
Rashid Khan (3/11), Sam Curran (3/18), and Will Jacks (24) stood out for the Invincibles. Ashton Turner was the lone fighter for Spirit with 21.
188BET had Oval Invincibles at 1.72 favourites, and Rashid Khan was listed at 4.00 odds as Top Bowler.
Conclusion – Invincibles Assert Their Dominance
Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit was less a contest and more a declaration: the champs are here to defend. With Rashid Khan looking lethal and Sam Curran picking up right where he left off, this team is set to steamroll through The Hundred 2025—unless someone finds a way to decode their all-star bowling lineup.
What’s next?
More cricket, more chaos, and hopefully, a London Spirit bounce-back. But for now, the Oval is invincible.
🗣️ Join the conversation — Were you shocked by the Spirit’s collapse? Drop your hot takes in the comments and don’t forget to follow for match previews, betting odds, and player watchlists.
