Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals have decided to invest a whooping £120 million to buy the major stakes of Hampshire. As per reports, the GMR Group is slated to gain full ownership of Hampshire along with 51% of The Hundred side Southern Brave.
This will be the first time that a country club will be owned by a foreign enterprise. Reports further claim that Delhi Capitals had to beat IPL rivals Lucknow Super Giants in their bid to buy the club.
GMR has a wide stake in owing cricketing clubs across the globe. They have a 50% share in owing Delhi Capitals while the other half is owned by JSW. GMR further owns 50% stake of IPLT20 side Dubai Capitals and MLC side Seattle Orcas.
Will Hampshire get DC players?
There is a chance that Hampshire can rope in some young Delhi Capitals players. While the BCCI doesn’t allow Indian players to participate in other leagues across the globe, DC owing Hampshire is likely to open new avenues. It remains to be seen if Indian or other DC young players get a chance to play for Southern Brave in The Hundred.
Not just with DC, another IPL franchisee team is also ready to own an English club. After much discussion, reports claim that Rajasthan Royals have begun fresh talks with Yorkshire to buy 75% stake of Headingly.
