Oval Invincibles are now MI London after completion of rebrand as last of eight deals is concluded as Surrey and Reliance confirm partnership.
Following this year’s equity transaction, Surrey and Reliance Industries Limited ended their lengthy discussions, and Oval Invincibles, the most successful franchise in the Hundred, will rename as MI London starting in 2026.
The men’s and women’s teams now share the same name as the rest of the Ambani family’s Mumbai Indians stable, which includes MI Cape Town in the SA20, MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket, and the Mumbai Indians women’s team in the WPL in addition to its flagship team in the IPL.
The announcement, which comes nearly five months after the first six of the eight deals that resulted from the ECB’s sale of stock holdings in the Hundred earlier this year, is the final one. Reliance acquired a 49% share in Oval Invincibles after valuing the team at £123 million, the second-highest amount behind London Spirit, located in Lord’s, at £295 million.
The delay in the news demonstrates the hesitation at Surrey to part ways with the corporate image that had tied the teams to their home ground at the Kia Oval, and which has produced five titles in as many years of the championship – with the women completing successive victories in 2021 and 2022, before the men celebrated their third win in as many years this past August in their victory over Trent Rockets at Lord’s.
Surrey chairman Oli Slipper noted the strength of the MI brand in announcing the team’s rebranding, with its total of 13 titles across competitions in the 17 years, which includes five IPL crowns and at least one in each subsequent competition in which it has competed.
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in the Hundred franchise team,” Slipper said. “Reliance bring a significant depth of cricket and business expertise and have had great success with their franchise teams in India and around the world – there’s no doubt that they are here to win. They are passionate cricket people and together we will continue the success of our two teams.
“We have worked very closely with Reliance over the name of the new team and believe that MI London will give us the best opportunity to build the fanbase at home and across the world. We also believe that the team brand will help to grow the commercial value of our franchise, in turn boosting investment into the long-term sustainable growth of Surrey and of cricket in our community.”
Mrs Nita M. Ambani, co-owner of Mumbai Indians, said: “We are delighted to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily and take the MI legacy to new frontiers. London holds a special place in the heart of cricket, and we are honoured to be part of its rich heritage. Together with Surrey, we look forward to nurturing young talent, engaging diverse communities, and uniting fans through their shared love of the game.”
Mr Akash Ambani added: “We are happy to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily, marking a new chapter in our journey of uniting cricket fans, nurturing talent, and growing the game across continents. The Invincibles’ winning record and spirit of excellence perfectly embody the MI ethos of passion, resilience, and teamwork. Building on our shared passion for cricket, we look forward to collaborating with our partners at Surrey CCC and building on the legacy of The Hundred’s most successful team.”