The introduction of The Hundred competition in 2021 was designed to make cricket more appealing to younger fans in England.
It has already generated more than £1 billion through private investment and franchise stake sales, with a significant proportion of that figure coming from India.
However, with links to the Indian Premier League (IPL) now more prevalent, many traditional cricket fans in England are concerned about where the sport is heading.
IPL owners in English cricket
Several franchises abandoned their original identities to link with brands recognised by millions of cricket fans around the globe.
Oval Invincibles became MI London after adopting the Mumbai Indians’ identity. The Northern Superchargers are Sunrisers Leeds under the ownership of Sun TV Network.
Manchester Originals rebranded into Manchester Super Giants following big-money investment from RPSG Group, the same entity that owns Lucknow Super Giants.
GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, have invested in Southern Brave. Other franchises have attracted the attention of Indian consortiums and investors.
Exporting the IPL blueprint
India has established and exported a business model that has transformed cricket worldwide.
The IPL is the clearest example of how franchise cricket can be a global entertainment product rather than just a sporting competition.
Thanks to its fast-paced matches, celebrity ownership, colourful branding, digital engagement and family-friendly entertainment, the league has become hugely successful.
The IPL generates significant betting interest, a factor which is replicated in many other short-form cricket competitions worldwide.
Many punters take advantage of the Betpanda welcome bonus to bet on top-class cricket, and wagering activity is always off the scale during the IPL season.
The Hundred is effectively following the IPL’s blueprint. The matches are shorter, with city-based teams, aggressive marketing, music and entertainment designed to attract younger audiences.
This methodology also makes the competition more appealing to bettors, who enjoy the thrill of engaging with sports where the outcome is swift.
India refuses to devalue the IPL
India has secured significant influence on English cricket, yet its biggest stars are conspicuous by their absence from The Hundred.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refuses to allow active men’s international players to move to overseas franchise tournaments.
English supporters are unable to watch India’s top cricketing talents in an MI London or Manchester Super Giants jersey, even though these teams share ownership with IPL franchises.
This shows just how powerful Indian cricket is in the modern era. The BCCI fiercely protects the IPL’s exclusivity because it is still the sport’s biggest commercial product.
There also is no incentive for players to leave Indian cricket to play elsewhere. In simple terms, India has garnered control in overseas markets without parting ways with its finest assets at home.
Traditionalists feel English cricket has sold its soul
Many cricket traditionalists in England are uncomfortable with the changes. County cricket is built around local identity and regional loyalty.
Replacing this long-standing history with franchise brands has inevitably raised major concerns about whether English cricket has sacrificed its soul for financial gain.
Unfortunately, with local cricket struggling to generate enough revenues, overseas investment was the only realistic option to safeguard the sport’s future.
New investment has provided English cricket with better facilities and more global exposure. These elements outweigh any concerns about foreign ownership.
If The Hundred continues to grow in stature, Indian investors will inevitably want more say in scheduling, player recruitment, commercial partnerships and future expansion.
English cricket fans may be justified in worrying about their identity being swept away, but the sport would be unlikely to survive without overseas investment.
