Oval Invincibles to be renamed MI London as Reliance completes deal for The Hundred franchise
Reliance has acquired a 49% stake in The Hundred franchise Oval Invincibles. The team is set to be renamed MI London from the 2026 season.
Reliance have expanded their presence on the global T20 cricketing map by adding another team to their already expansive portfolio. Reliance have acquired a 49% stake in The Hundred franchise Oval Invincibles. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday that an agreement was completed between the Indian conglomerate and the Surrey County Cricket Club.
Oval Invincibles are set to be renamed MI London from the 2026 season of The Hundred after the completion of the deal. Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (RSBVL) and Sureey County Cricket Club completed the paperwork for the deal this week. Reliance wil hold 49% stake in the franchise, while Surrey will remain majority owner at 51%.
However, both Oval Invincibles men's and women's teams will be renamed MI London. Cain & Ares also finalised a deal for their investment in The Hundred franchise Trent Rockets. The investment firm finalised a deal with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for 49% stake in Trent Rockets.
With the deals for Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets now completed, ECB has managed to bring in strategic partners for all eight teams in The Hundred. Apart from Reliance, which owns the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), owners of IPL teams Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals have also invested in franchises in England's The Hundred.
Oval Invincibles are the most successful team in The Hundred, a unique 100-ball tournament which started in 2021. Oval Invincibles have won the titles three times in 2023, 2024 and 2025. They are the reigning champions of The Hundred. Southern Brave clinched the inaugural edition of the tournament, while Trent Rockets won the 2nd season in 2022.
Oval Invincibles becomes Reliance's 6th team in the MI family in global T20 cricket. Reliance owns the Mumbai Indians men's and women's team in the IPL and the WPL, MI Cape Town in SA20, MI New York in MLS, and MI Emirates in Dubai's ILT20.
Over 975 million pounds to be invested after all 8 The Hundred deals
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that over GBP 975 million will be invested in all eight The Hundred franchises after the completion of all eight deals with different firms and parties. Out of the total investment, 500 million pounds will be invested into English and Welsh cricket, while 50 million will be invested annually in grassroots cricket in England.
"The eight partnerships combined represent a valuation for the teams of over GBP 975 million. As previously announced, over GBP 500 million is now set to be invested into English and Welsh cricket. This includes a dedicated GBP 50 million commitment to grassroots cricket, ensuring the game continues to thrive at every level, with the remainder distributed to professional counties," ECB said in a statement.
"Consistent with deal completions, newly formed TeamCos comprising the investors and the venue will assume operational control of their respective franchises. In most cases, they will operate their franchise in The Hundred in partnership with the host club," it added.