The winds of change are blowing through The Hundred, and it’s got a distinct IPL scent to it. The first big shake-up? The much-loved Oval Invincibles are gearing up for a bold new identity, as the team is expected to be rebranded as MI London from 2026. Yep, it’s official, The Hundred franchise owners are starting to look a lot like their IPL cousins.

Reliance’s Expanding Empire

If the name MI London sounds familiar, it should. Reliance, the Indian giant behind the Mumbai Indians, is building a cricket empire. From MI Cape Town to MI New York, and MI Emirates to the Women’s Mumbai Indians, their blueprint is global consistency. Now, they’re bringing that same vision to The Hundred.

🚨 MI LONDON IN THE HUNDRED LEAGUE 🚨

– Oval Invincible are expected to rebrand as “MI London” in the Hundred League. (The Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/A5f8DmQd7V

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 21, 2025

The Ambanis’ company bought a 49% stake in the Oval-based franchise, which was valued at £123 million. And while the paperwork is still being finalised, it’s already clear what they want: a rebrand. The original plan? Give the Oval Invincibles new name a proper MI-style makeover. No nods to Surrey. No local compromises. Just clean, bold, recognisable: MI London. Surrey CCC, the team’s host venue, had originally pushed for a name that would preserve some county identity.

“From a brand perspective, I hope we can brand it as a Surrey-branded team and part of our cricket ecosystem,” said Surrey chairman Oli Slipper.

But the ECB’s rules don’t allow county names in The Hundred, and frankly, the Ambanis aren’t known for compromising when it comes to branding.

Why the Rebrand Matters?

This isn’t just about a slick logo or new merch. Giving Oval Invincibles new name a makeover has a ripple effect that could shake up The Hundred more than you’d expect. First off – the name MI London means there will now be two teams with “London” in their title, the other being London Spirit. Confusing? Potentially. Especially for new fans trying to pick a side.

🚨 MI LONDON IN THE HUNDRED. 🚨

– Oval Invincibles set to be renamed as the ‘MI London’. (Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/C9elYJGmb1

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 21, 2025

Then there’s the kit situation. MI London will almost certainly wear royal blue with gold or orange trim just like the rest of the MI franchises. But London Spirit already wear blue, too, albeit a different shade, paired with black. That opens up the possibility of kit clashes, and guess what? We might even see away kits introduced to the tournament for the first time.

Mumbai Indians ✅
Mumbai Indians Womens ✅
MI Cape Town ✅
MI Emirates ✅
MI NewYork ✅
MI London ⏳ https://t.co/FFoLhFOwHb pic.twitter.com/0ld05ZJQ5m

— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) August 21, 2025

So this rebrand isn’t happening in a vacuum. It affects how teams look, how they’re marketed, and how fans identify with them. And as The Hundred franchise owners lean into global-style branding, it’s likely that we’ll see more design crossovers, not less. Lastly, the emotional connection matters. Local fans grew up with “Oval” and “Invincibles.” Replacing that with MI London might feel like a loss of identity. But to Reliance, it’s all about global brand cohesion. And when you already own five MI teams worldwide, what’s one more?

Other Teams Facing the Rebrand

Of course, it’s not just the Invincibles getting a makeover. With IPL money pouring in, several more sides are rethinking their identities. Manchester Originals are set to become Manchester Super Giants, thanks to new investors RPSG Group, owners of the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants.

Related Article：Not Just Kavya! More IPL Franchise in The Hundred You Should Totally Know

Then there’s the Northern Superchargers. Their new name will likely include “Sunrisers,” with Sunrisers Leeds reportedly under discussion. Again, no surprises there – Sun TV Network, the group behind Sunrisers Hyderabad, now owns 100% of the team. These shifts are no coincidence. Private investors, including tech firms, American funds, and IPL giants, now own at least 49% of almost every side in the league. With that comes a wave of rebrands, globalised names, and standardised colour schemes.

What’s Next for The Hundred?

Whether you’re a fan of the change or still attached to the old guard, one thing’s clear: The Hundred franchise owners are reshaping the tournament. For better or worse, it’s evolving, becoming more like a global T20 (however it’s not) league, and less like a quirky British experiment.

Sixes everywhere! 6️⃣

Oval Invincibles smash their way to a memorable victory 💥#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/6TggVtSQik

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 21, 2025

So as the Oval Invincibles new name officially transforms into MI London, don’t be surprised if more teams follow suit. Traditionalists might grumble, but for the new investors, this is just the beginning.