Ambani Family Secures 49% Stake in Oval Invincibles After Fierce Bidding War

 

The Ambani family has successfully acquired a 49% stake in London’s Oval Invincibles cricket team after outbidding major global investors. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), led by Mukesh Ambani, secured the minority stake—valued at around £60 million—through a virtual auction on Thursday.

 

This move strengthens the Ambanis’ footprint in global cricket, adding to their ownership of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. The competition for the stake was intense, with RIL going head-to-head against CVC Capital Partners and a group of Silicon Valley executives, including those from Alphabet. After months of bidding, RIL emerged as the winner and has now entered an exclusivity period to finalize negotiations with Surrey County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

 

Why the Oval Invincibles?

 

Based at the iconic Oval ground in London, the Oval Invincibles are one of the top teams in The Hundred, a fast-paced 100-ball cricket competition. The men’s team has already won back-to-back championships, making it a highly valuable franchise in the tournament.

 

What Is The Hundred and Why Are Teams Being Sold?

 

The Hundred is a relatively new cricket format designed to attract broader audiences with its shorter, high-energy matches and entertainment-driven experience. In a bid to strengthen the sport financially, the ECB has been selling 49% stakes in its eight tournament teams. The Oval Invincibles stake sale is the first deal to be finalized, with more expected to follow.