Surrey County Cricket Club has officially confirmed its partnership with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) while retaining majority control of the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred. Despite negotiations, Surrey has held firm on maintaining a 51% stake in the franchise, ensuring they remain the primary decision-makers of the tournament’s most successful team.
The Oval Invincibles became the first franchise to be sold by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and were valued at £123 million. As part of the deal, RIL acquired a 49% stake for £60 million through its subsidiary, RISE Worldwide. Following the agreement, Surrey released a statement highlighting the benefits of this partnership.
“R1SE will have a 49 per cent share of the Hundred team, with Surrey retaining the majority 51 per cent. The Club hopes to benefit from Mumbai Indians’ vast experience and proven success, fresh off lifting yet another league title in South Africa over the weekend, to further strengthen and maintain the team’s position as the leading franchise in the competition.”
While other counties have been open to selling stakes in The Hundred, Surrey remained committed to keeping their controlling share. Emphasizing RIL’s winning pedigree, Surrey acknowledged the impact of Mumbai Indians’ dominance in global cricket.
“Over 17 years, the dedication of the MI family has resulted in 11 league titles across the globe, including five IPL championships, two Champions League victories, and the inaugural WPL and Major League Cricket titles in 2023, ILT20 in 2024 and SA20 in 2025. Every team in the MI Family now has a winner’s trophy.”
Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani expressed excitement about the partnership and the opportunity to be associated with the historic Oval venue.
“We are glad to be part of Oval Invincibles—the most successful teams in The Hundred—and welcome them into the Mumbai Indians family. England, with its rich cricketing culture, has always been special to the game. To have the iconic Oval, which has witnessed some of cricket’s greatest moments, as our home venue is truly special. We look forward to collaborating with like-minded partners, Surrey CCC, who share our passion and ethos for the sport. By leveraging our global cricket expertise, we aim to further elevate the teams, engage with fans, and expand our footprint in the sport we love.”
With this partnership, Surrey looks to strengthen the Oval Invincibles’ dominance in The Hundred while tapping into Mumbai Indians’ extensive experience and success on the global stage.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
