Mumbai Indians: The Mumbai Indians (MI) empire just got bigger! Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), owners of the five time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, have made a significant move in global cricket by acquiring a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles, a franchise in England’s The Hundred tournament.
The deal, valued at a staggering £123 million (₹1327 crore), makes MI the first IPL franchise to officially enter the English cricket ecosystem. The acquisition was confirmed after RIL won a high stakes bidding war against global tech giants and private equity firms.
With this move, MI continues its aggressive global expansion, adding Oval Invincibles to its existing franchises:
- Mumbai Indians (IPL & WPL – India)
- MI Cape Town (SA20 – South Africa)
- MI New York (MLC – USA)
- MI Emirates (ILT20 – UAE)
Mumbai Indians Go Global! RIL Acquires Stake in The Hundred’s Oval Invincibles for ₹1327 Crore
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Why Oval Invincibles? A Strategic Move by RIL
Reports initially suggested that RIL was interested in acquiring a 49% stake in London Spirit, based at Lord’s Cricket Ground. However, the company shifted its focus to Oval Invincibles, a team that has emerged as a dominant force in The Hundred, winning back to back men’s titles.
This acquisition aligns with Mumbai Indians’ vision of owning elite cricketing franchises across the world, giving them access to top English talent. Players like Sam Curran and Will Jacks, who have played for MI owned teams, are already part of the Invincibles squad.
Moreover, Surrey County Cricket Club, which operates the Oval Invincibles, is one of the wealthiest and most prestigious clubs in English cricket, making this partnership a power move for RIL.
The Bidding War: MI Edges Out Tech Giants and Private Equity Firms
The bidding process was nothing short of intense. RIL competed against a Silicon Valley consortium featuring executives from Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, as well as CVC Capital Partners, the owners of Gujarat Titans (IPL).
In the end, MI’s aggressive cricket expansion strategy and deep rooted cricketing expertise helped them secure the deal, making them the first IPL brand to own a stake in an English franchise.
What This Means for MI and Global Cricket
- MI’s Global Takeover: With six franchises across India, South Africa, UAE, USA, and now England, MI is building a global cricketing empire.
- Access to English Talent: MI can now create a direct pipeline for English players into their franchises, increasing their dominance in T20 leagues worldwide.
- BCCI-ECB Relations Strengthened: MI’s involvement in The Hundred could pave the way for closer ties between the BCCI and ECB, potentially impacting the future of global franchise cricket.
- Rise of Private Franchise Ownership: With RIL leading the way, more IPL franchises might look to acquire stakes in international leagues, much like CSK, SRH, and DC, who are exploring similar opportunities.
The Mumbai Indians’ ownership group is no longer just an IPL powerhouse, it’s a global cricketing superpower. Their expansion into The Hundred reinforces their ambition to dominate franchise cricket worldwide.
