Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 11: Mumbai Indians (MI), owned by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), have expanded their global cricket footprint by partnering with London-based franchise Oval Invincibles in England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) The Hundred.

Through its subsidiary RISE Worldwide, MI secured a 49% stake in the reigning men's champions of The Hundred (2023, 2024) and the dominant women's squad, winners of the inaugural edition in 2021 and champions again in 2022. The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary diligence, as per an official statement.

Nita Ambani, expressing her excitement over the deal, said, “Cricket is a passion that unites people across geographies. Welcoming Oval Invincibles into our MI family is a proud and special moment. With this, our fan base extends across India, New York, UAE, South Africa, and now England.”

Akash Ambani echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of England’s cricketing heritage and the historic Oval as their home venue. "We look forward to working with our partners at Surrey CCC to elevate the team’s success and engage with fans globally,” he said.

Surrey CCC Chair Oli Slipper hailed the partnership, calling MI the “biggest and most successful IPL team” and expressing confidence that this collaboration would drive continued success for both Surrey and Oval Invincibles.

Mumbai Indians, a powerhouse in franchise cricket, now boast seven teams across four continents and five countries. Over the last 17 years, MI has clinched 11 league titles worldwide, including five IPL trophies, two Champions League T20 titles, and triumphs in WPL, Major League Cricket, ILT20, and SA20.