Four IPL Giants Take Over ‘The Hundred’: Mega Investment Set to Transform English Cricket
Four leading owners from the Indian Premier League—GMR, Sun TV Network, RPSG Group, and Reliance Group—have been officially named as strategic partners for teams in England’s The Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday. These deals give the IPL franchise owners operational control by October 1, 2025, unlocking hundreds of millions of pounds to boost cricket at every level in England and Wales.
The ECB has confirmed that these investments, along with four more—including Reliance’s pending stake in Oval Invincibles—value The Hundred’s teams at over £975 million. RPSG Group (Lucknow Super Giants) will hold 70% of Manchester Originals, Sun TV Network (Sunrisers Hyderabad) will take 100% of Northern Superchargers, and GMR Group (co-owners of Delhi Capitals) will own 49% of Southern Brave. Additional investors include Tech Titans (London Spirit), Knighthead Capital (Birmingham Phoenix), and Washington Freedom (Welsh Fire), each holding a significant 49% stake.
The ECB highlighted that more than £500 million will flow to county and grassroots cricket, including a ring-fenced £50 million to bolster the sport at the grassroots level. Cricket’s governing body retains full ownership of The Hundred, ensuring control over regulations and calendar windows. A new board, with ECB, investors, and host clubs, will set the strategic direction for the competition’s commercial future.
ECB Chairman Richard Thompson called this a “landmark achievement” and stressed that the global attention and expertise from the new partners will fuel extraordinary growth for English cricket.
