Oval Invincibles to Become MI London from 2026 as Surrey–Reliance Deal Finalised
Oval Invincibles, the most successful franchise in the Hundred, will be rebranded as MI London from the 2026 season after Surrey County Cricket Club and Reliance Industries Limited concluded a long-awaited partnership agreement. The deal, the last of the eight equity partnerships formed following the ECB’s partial sale of the Hundred earlier this year, brings Invincibles into the global Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise family.
Reliance has acquired a 49% stake in the franchise, valuing Oval Invincibles at £123 million, the second-highest valuation among the eight teams, behind London Spirit’s £295 million. The agreement arrives nearly five months after the first six deals were confirmed, with negotiations prolonged due to Surrey’s hesitation to part with a brand deeply tied to the Kia Oval — and one that has delivered unparalleled on-field success.
Since the tournament’s inception, Invincibles have claimed five titles in five seasons, including back-to-back women’s championships in 2021 and 2022 and three consecutive men’s titles, capped by their 2025 triumph over Trent Rockets at Lord’s.
A New Identity in a Global Franchise Network
The MI London name aligns the franchise with the wider MI ecosystem, which includes teams in the IPL, SA20, ILT20, Major League Cricket, and the WPL. The Mumbai Indians group has accumulated 13 titles across 17 years, making it one of the most decorated multi-team brands in world cricket.
Surrey chairman Oli Slipper said the partnership would strengthen both the team’s global reach and its commercial potential.
“Reliance bring significant cricket and business expertise and have had great success with their franchise teams around the world,” Slipper said. “We believe MI London gives us the best opportunity to grow our fanbase and build long-term sustainability for Surrey and cricket in our community.”
Nita M. Ambani, co-owner of Mumbai Indians, welcomed the new addition to the MI family.
“London holds a special place in the heart of cricket, and we are honoured to be part of its rich heritage,” she said. “Together with Surrey, we look forward to nurturing young talent and uniting fans across communities.”
Akash Ambani added that the Invincibles’ “spirit of excellence” reflects the MI ethos and that the franchise looks forward to continuing its winning legacy in the Hundred.
A Boost for English Cricket
The eight equity partnerships collectively value the Hundred teams at over £975 million, unlocking more than £500 million for investment across English and Welsh cricket. This includes a £50 million commitment to grassroots programmes, with the remainder allocated to the professional county system.
Vikram Banerjee, Managing Director of the Hundred, hailed the completion of all eight deals as a turning point for the competition.
“The world-leading partners we now have on board will help take the Hundred to the next level,” he said. “We’re already working together to make the 2026 season the best yet, and this investment will strengthen the game at every level.”
MI London will debut in the 2026 edition of the Hundred, marking a new era for the competition’s most dominant franchise.