The 23-year-old Australia star registered a sprightly 26-ball 43 in London on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) as Sunrisers chased down a victory target of 108 with seven wickets and 31 balls to spare in the battle between two newly-named teams.
Formerly Northern Superchargers, the the Sunrisers went all the way in last year's tournament and here restricted their opponents, rebranded from Oval Invincibles, to 8-107.
"We were really good and put them under pressure with wickets," Leeds coach, Adi Birrell said.
Having been being picked as the most expensive women's player in the tournament auction, England allrounder and Sunrisers captain Dani Gibson (2-17) claimed two wickets, including that of Aussie Nicola Carey for just five, as did legspinner Hannah Baker (2-16) and India's Deepti Sharma (2-20).
Australians Jess Jonassen (0-16) and Annabel Sutherland (1-14) were the only Leeds players to bowl their maximum four overs, with MI London fading after an opening 56-run stand between Hayley Matthews (33) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (29).
Litchfield made a crucial 48 in Australia's World Cup final win over England at Lord's this month and she was in imperious touch south of the river Thames after Bryony Smith and Jonassen departed cheaply.
Litchfield was bowled by Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon with 27 still required, but allrounder Sutherland made an unbeaten 30 and Gibson contributed 12 not out to get the Sunrisers over the line with ease.
"When we adapted, rolled our fingers over, changed pace and mixed up their swing path, it worked," Litchfield said afterwards.
"Then our spinners held their line and length bravely. It worked out and we took our catches. That's a winning formula."
With AAP.
