The Oval Invincibles have been officially rebranded as MI London, following the completion of the negotiations as part of the private equity sale of the eight Hundred franchises. The Invincibles’ deal was the final one out of the eight and the change in the name reflects continuity. It will bring the most successful side in the Hundred with five titles (two for women in 2021 and 2022 and three-peat for men from 2023 to 2025) under the larger MI umbrella, which now has six teams under it, led by the Mumbai Indians.
The delay in negotiations and the completion of the deal hinged on the reluctance from Surrey Cricket County regarding the name change and moving away from the identity of the Kennington Oval, the home ground of the franchise, before it eventually came through. Reliance Industries Limited secured a 49 per cent stake in the Oval Invincibles, after valuing the franchise at £123 million – the second most expensive valuation after Lord’s-based London Spirit, at £295 million.
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in the Hundred franchise team,” Surrey Chairman Oli Slipper said. “Reliance bring a significant depth of cricket and business expertise and have had great success with their franchise teams in India and around the world – there’s no doubt that they are here to win. They are passionate cricket people and together we will continue the success of our two teams.
“We have worked very closely with Reliance over the name of the new team and believe that MI London will give us the best opportunity to build the fanbase at home and across the world. We also believe that the team brand will help to grow the commercial value of our franchise, in turn boosting investment into the long-term sustainable growth of Surrey and of cricket in our community.”
The Hundred will now have the two teams with the London moniker, with the new owners of the Spirit keeping the name. This will be sixth team associated with the Reliance Group, comprising Mumbai Indians (IPL and WPL), MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20) and MI New York (MLC).
Mrs Nita M. Ambani, co-owner of Mumbai Indians, said: “We are delighted to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily and take the MI legacy to new frontiers. London holds a special place in the heart of cricket, and we are honoured to be part of its rich heritage. Together with Surrey, we look forward to nurturing young talent, engaging diverse communities, and uniting fans through their shared love of the game.”
Mr Akash Ambani added: “We are happy to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily, marking a new chapter in our journey of uniting cricket fans, nurturing talent, and growing the game across continents. The Invincibles’ winning record and spirit of excellence perfectly embody the MI ethos of passion, resilience, and teamwork. Building on our shared passion for cricket, we look forward to collaborating with our partners at Surrey CCC and building on the legacy of The Hundred’s most successful team.”
The 2026 edition of the Hundred will have a few more changes, with a first-time auction set to take place before the sixth edition. Each of the eight teams will be allowed four retentions or pre-signings going into the auction.
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