IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are reported to be in a two-way contest to acquire The Hundred team, Manchester Originals. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has opened the doors for team sales, allowing interested buyers to make their bids.
Since this announcement, several IPL teams have shown interest in the lucrative market that The Hundred offers. Delhi Capitals’ part-owners, the GMR Group, have also made moves to acquire Southern Brave, the champions of the league’s inaugural season.
According to CityAM, CSK and KKR are locked in a two-way battle for Manchester Originals, which currently has a sole stakeholder in Lancashire County Cricket Club and is valued at approximately £8.5 million.
With just one stakeholder, the takeover process is expected to be smooth. In recent years, IPL franchises have actively expanded their footprint by acquiring teams in foreign leagues. Both CSK and KKR have made significant investments in overseas teams.
Chennai Super Kings have established sister franchises, including Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in the SA20 and Texas Super Kings (TSK) in Major League Cricket (MLC). These teams have performed consistently, with both qualifying for the knockout stages in their respective leagues. Faf du Plessis serves as captain for both JSK and TSK.
Similarly, Kolkata Knight Riders have established teams in the Caribbean Premier League, the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in MLC, and the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in ILT20. Across their four franchises, the Knight Riders have accumulated a combined total of seven league titles.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
