The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a major step in securing the future of its flagship competition, The Hundred, by allowing private investments in its teams.

Four franchises from the Indian Premier League (IPL) have collectively invested nearly GBP 300 million (approximately Rs 3,257 crore), strengthening their presence in global cricket.

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which owns Mumbai Indians, has acquired a stake in Oval Invincibles. The GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, has invested in Southern Brave.

Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants, now has a stake in Manchester Originals, while Sun TV Network, which owns Sunrisers Hyderabad, has bought into Northern Superchargers.

This move has significantly boosted The Hundred’s financial standing, with ECB raising GBP 975 million by selling stakes in its eight franchises. The investments are expected to enhance the league’s competitiveness, attract global talent, and improve its overall commercial value.

One of the key questions following this development is the participation of Pakistan players in teams where IPL franchises now have stakes. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistani cricketers have not been part of the IPL.

The same exclusion has been seen in SA20, the South African league where all six teams are IPL-affiliated.

However, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has assured that Pakistani players will not be barred from The Hundred. He confirmed that, unlike other leagues, there will be no restrictions preventing them from joining teams owned by IPL franchises.

Another issue raised is whether Indian players will be allowed to participate in The Hundred. While the IPL teams’ involvement has raised expectations, Gould clarified that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not changed its stance.

Indian cricketers are not permitted to participate in overseas T20 leagues unless they retire from international and domestic cricket.

Gould emphasised the importance of the Indian television market for the competition’s global appeal. He acknowledged that while Indian players would be a valuable addition, their participation has not been factored into the league’s plans due to BCCI’s clear stance on the matter.