London, December 3, 2025: Reliance Industries Limited has officially completed its long-awaited deal with Surrey County Cricket Club, securing a 49% stake in the Oval Invincibles.
As part of the agreement, the franchise will be rebranded as MI London starting from the 2026 season of The Hundred. This marks the final franchise partnership under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new ownership model.
Reliance Invincibles Deal Finalized
The Oval Invincibles, one of the most successful teams in The Hundred, will now join the global Mumbai Indians family.
Reliance already owns teams across multiple leagues, including MI Cape Town in SA20, MI Emirates in ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket, and the Mumbai Indians women’s team in the WPL.
The addition of MI London strengthens Reliance’s cricket footprint across continents.
MI London Franchise Announcement
According to the ECB, the partnership between Surrey and Reliance values the Oval Invincibles franchise at £123 million, making it the second most expensive team after London Spirit, which was valued at £295 million.
With this deal, all eight franchises in The Hundred now have strategic investors, representing a combined valuation of over £975 million.
Statements and Reactions
Surrey officials expressed optimism about the collaboration. “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in The Hundred franchise,” said Surrey CEO Charlie Hodgson.
“Reliance brings significant cricket and business expertise, and their track record with Mumbai Indians shows they are passionate about success.”
Source and Industry Impact
As reported by Cricbuzz, the ECB confirmed that both the men’s and women’s teams will carry the MI London name from 2026.
Analysts believe this move will boost the brand value of The Hundred and attract more global audiences, especially from India, where cricket viewership continues to grow rapidly.
With Reliance’s entry, The Hundred now has a stronger international presence, aligning with the league’s vision of becoming a premier global cricket competition. Fans can expect enhanced marketing, player development, and cross-league collaborations under the MI banner.
Game on! Track the buzz in football, tennis, Cricket, and more in PanAsiaBiz's Sports section.
From pitch to court and ring to track, PanAsiaBiz brings the action closer.
