The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals is planning to buy stakes in county side Hampshire. As per a report in the ‘Daily Telegraph’, the former Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove, who still holds majority share in the club, is close to agreeing a deal to sell the county side to GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals.
“Hampshire County Cricket Club’s majority shareholder is in advanced talks to sell his stake to the part-owners of Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals,” the report said.
If the deal comes to fruition, it will make Hampshire the first county side ‘to be owned by an overseas franchise. The benefits of buying a county side for GMR could include a foothold in the English game,” it added.
With The Hundred franchise tournament in England gaining popularity, the deal could give GMR a ‘first-mover advantage’, and also help the IPL franchise ‘develop its own players’. The development comes amid reports that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is exploring opening up 50 per cent stakes in a few Hundred teams, and giving host counties the option to to sell their shares.
GMR have a 50 per cent stake in Delhi Capitals in both the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL). They also own Dubai Capitals in the UAE’s ILT20 besides a share in USA’s Major League Cricket side Seattle Orcas.
