Indian Premier League owners will be allowed to rename Hundred franchises after their Indian teams without buying a controlling stake under the conditions of the sales process that starts next month. The Guardian has learned that such is the England and Wales Cricket Board’s eagerness to attract Indian money that even a minority investment will give the new owners huge influence, with all of the 10 IPL owners expected to bid.
The Ambani family which owns Mumbai Indians is believed to be preparing a huge bid for London Spirit, which could lead to the team being rebranded as MI London. Mumbai already own teams in three other T20 leagues – MI Cape Town, MI New York and MI Emirates – and buying into the Hundred franchise based at Lord’s is their next target.
