Oval Invincibles, the most successful franchise in The Hundred, are to be rebranded as MI London from the 2026 season onwards. The move has come about following the completion of a long-expected partnership between Surrey County Cricket Club and Reliance Industries Limited.
Rebranding aligns with the Global Mumbai Indians Network
With the rebrand, the men’s and women’s teams will be joining the international Mumbai Indians franchise group that includes:
MI Cape Town (SA20)
MI Emirates (ILT20)
MI New York (Major League Cricket)
Mumbai Indians (IPL)
Mumbai Indians (WPL)
The move mirrors Reliance’s broader cricketing philosophy: a single cohesive global brand identity across leagues and continents.
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Final Deal in ECB’s Hundred Equity Sale
This announcement completes the eighth and final agreement from the ECB’s equity sale in The Hundred. Reliance acquired a 49% stake in the Oval Invincibles, valuing the franchise at £123 million-the second highest valuation after London Spirit at £295 million.
The near-five-month delay was a result of internal debates between Surrey, who were initially hesitant to give away the established Invincibles identity that was very closely associated with the Kia Oval and decorated with an exceptional record of five titles in five seasons.
Surrey Recognises MI Brand Strength
The Surrey chairman Oli Slipper acknowledged the global reach and success of the MI brand, which boasts 13 titles in 17 years, including five IPL championships.
He emphasized that the MI London identity provides an opportunity for enhanced worldwide fan engagement and increased commercial strength.
Slipper said this partnership will also help in long-term investments into Surrey cricket as well as grassroots programmes.
Ambani Family Welcomes MI London to the One-Family
Mrs Nita M. Ambani, the owner of Mumbai Indians, hailed the expansion of the MI franchise into London, termed the city an ‘iconic home of cricket’. She mentioned the shared objective: to provide a platform for young players, embrace diverse communities, and further strengthen cricketing ties across the world.
Akash Ambani added that the winning culture of the Oval Invincibles fits perfectly with the Mumbai Indians’ ethos of excellence, passion, and resilience. He added that he was looking forward to building on the legacy of The Hundred’s most successful team.
Major Investment Boost for Cricket in England and Wales
Across all eight partnerships, The Hundred teams now represent a combined valuation of more than £975m. More than £500m of investment is set to flow into English and Welsh cricket, including:
£50 million for grassroots cricket
Significant funding channeled to professional counties
The Hundred Enters a New Era Ahead of 2026 Season Managing director Vikram Banerjee hailed the completion of all eight franchise deals as a landmark moment.
He stated, “With our world-class partners joining us, we are committed to taking The Hundred to the next level and establishing it as a premier summer sporting world event.” The ECB is busy preparing for the 2026 Season and will work closely with our partners over the next year to build the most exciting edition of The Hundred ever.
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