The Hundred continues to draw global investment with the owners of IPL side Lucknow Super Giants becoming the latest to buy into the competition. Sanjiv Goenka-led RPSG group has secured a stake in the Manchester Originals, adding to a growing list of IPL franchises investing in English cricket. This latest deal, reportedly worth around £116million, for the Originals is part of an overall cash injection of close to £257m into The Hundred, following investments from India and other Silicon Valley-backed groups from the US.

With major stakeholders joining the tournament the financial landscape of English domestic cricket is evolving rapidly. The agreement between Lancashire Cricket and RPSG group signals another step towards international partnerships shaping the future of the franchise league in the UK. The owners of LSG successfully acquired a stake in Lancashire-based Hundred outfit. While details on the percentage of ownership remain unclear, sources indicate that RPSG have secured up to a 70 percent stake in the franchise.

Apart from the initial 49 percent stake, Lancashire have reportedly opted to sell an additional 21 percent. With this sale the club hopes to lower their debt and continue the development of a second ground in Farington. This acquisition strengthens RPSG group’s influence in global T20 cricket, complementing their existing ownership of LSG in the IPL and Durban’s Super Giants in South Africa’s SA20 league.

Lancashire Cricket confirmed RPSG group as the winning bidder, having been their preferred partner for some time. A statement said: "We have been very focused on securing a great partner – ideally from the IPL – and RPSG has been our preferred bidder for some time. Together, we have a shared ambition to create a very special cricket team for Manchester and the North West.". The RPSG group’s investment follows Mumbai Indians owners Reliance Industries Limited securing a 49 percent stake in the Oval Invincibles for around £60m.

A Silicon Valley consortium, which includes the likes of Google ’s Sundar Pichai, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Adobe’s Shantanu Narayan and Silver Lake Management’s Egon Durban, have already purchased 49 percent stake in London Spirit. The group will pay £144.55m for the Lord’s-based Hundred franchise. Other teams, including Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, and Southern Brave, are still looking to rope in partners, with more IPL-backed investors showing interest.

GMR group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, have already purchased Hampshire and are expected to secure a stake in Southern Brave. Sun Group, owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad, are reportedly looking at Northern Superchargers and Trent Rockets. With multiple IPL franchises now involved, The Hundred is shifting towards a more global financial structure. It is mirroring the commercial model of international franchise leagues.