The Manchester Originals are set to undergo a major rebrand, with the team expected to adopt the name Manchester Super Giants starting in the 2026 season of The Hundred.
The move follows a significant investment from Sanjiv Goenka, owner of the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Durban Super Giants in South Africa’s SA20, who acquired a £107 million stake in the Manchester franchise earlier this year.
While the name change aligns with Goenka’s existing cricket brand portfolio, it remains unclear whether the team will also adopt the signature blue colours of the Super Giants, departing from the Originals’ traditional black kit.
As part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) move to privatise The Hundred and bring in external investors, the Manchester-based franchise has officially gone to the RPSG Group, owned by Indian industrialist Sanjiv Goenka. The decision comes amid efforts by the ECB to capitalise on the rising popularity of the tournament.
Goenka, who already owns the Lucknow Super Giants (IPL) and Durban Super Giants (SA20), reportedly outbid two other unnamed IPL franchise owners to acquire the Manchester Originals, further expanding his sports portfolio. The acquisition adds to Goenka’s growing presence in global sports, which also includes ownership of Mohun Bagan FC, a storied Indian football club based in Kolkata.
The Manchester Originals boast a formidable lineup across both their men’s and women’s squads, with marquee names such as Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Heinrich Klaasen, and the recently signed James Anderson featuring in the men’s team. The women’s side is equally talent-rich, led by spin sensation Sophie Ecclestone and bolstered by international stars Beth Mooney, Amelia Kerr, and Deandra Dottin.
Despite the firepower, the two teams have seen contrasting fortunes in The Hundred so far. The men’s team emerged as runners-up in both the 2022 and 2023 editions, narrowly missing out on the title. Meanwhile, the women’s team has yet to make a playoff appearance, still searching for their breakthrough moment in the competition’s short history.
The new franchise owner, Sanjiv Goenka, said, “We respect the legacy of Lancashire Cricket, and we welcome Manchester Originals to our RPSG family. We are committed to developing a deep bond with the players, support team, and the whole community at large. We believe in excellence and see a huge potential to deliver good quality cricket for generations to come.”
The Chairperson of Manchester Originals, James Sheridan, believes the franchise’s new partnership with the RPSG Group will elevate the team’s ambitions and performance, drawing inspiration from the success and scale of the IPL.
Sheridan added, “We want to offer our fans an experience never before seen in English cricket – looking to the IPL and other major sports for inspiration as we take our match day and fan experience to a completely different level.
“Whether in stadiums or via digital channels, Manchester will be the team to follow in The Hundred, as we will look to bring the world’s top cricket stars, both female and male, to Manchester every August and provide sporting entertainment of the highest level to the people of Manchester and the wider Northwest.”
The 2025 season of The Hundred Women’s competition will get underway on August 5, with London Spirit facing off against Oval Invincibles at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The match will set the tone for another thrilling season of women’s cricket in the United Kingdom, featuring eight competitive franchise teams. With elite talent from around the globe set to take part, the tournament promises high-intensity action and world-class performances in its unique 100-ball format.
(Inputs sourced from Cricbuzz)
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