Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders Group Eye The Hundred Return as ECB Considers 10-Team Expansion: Report
Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders Group is exploring a significant investment in England's The Hundred cricket league, contingent on the competition expanding to ten teams. Following a past decision to not acquire Trent Rockets due to valuation, KRG is now poised for a 2029 entry if the ECB expands the league.
According to a BBC Sport report, Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders Group (KRG) is reportedly ready to make a significant move into England's fast-paced The Hundred competition. However, their entry is firmly contingent on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) expanding the league from its current eight teams to ten. This renewed interest signals KRG's continued ambition to broaden its global cricket footprint after its previous attempt to acquire an existing franchise failed to materialise.
Prior Pursuit of Trent Rockets and Current Ownership Landscape
KRG had previously been in discussions to acquire a stake in the Trent Rockets franchise during the ECB's sale of stakes in the eight Hundred teams. However, senior KRG officials ultimately decided against progressing with a formal offer, reportedly feeling that the Trent Rockets were "slightly overvalued" at the time. The Nottingham-based team eventually saw a 49 per cent stake purchased by Cain International and Ares Management Credit funds for just under £40 million. Cain International is an investment company co-founded by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly and British businessman Jonathan Goldstein.
Notably, several other Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners have already secured positions within The Hundred, establishing a strong subcontinental presence in the English competition. Manchester Super Giants are owned by the Lucknow Super Giants group, MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) is part-owned by Reliance Industries Limited (owners of Mumbai Indians), Sunrisers Leeds is owned by the Sun TV Network (owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Southern Brave by Delhi Capitals' GMR Group. KRG's entry would add them as the fifth IPL-affiliated owner in The Hundred.
The Hundred's Potential Expansion and KRG's Timeline
The ECB has been actively considering the possibility of expanding The Hundred to a 10-team tournament, a move that would open the door for KRG's involvement. Reports suggest that if the expansion goes ahead, new franchises could be based in locations such as Durham, or in the southwest of England, with Bristol and Taunton being mooted as potential homes.
However, a significant change to the league's structure is not expected imminently. The current media rights cycle for The Hundred runs until the end of 2028. Therefore, any expansion and the subsequent entry of new teams, including a potential Knight Riders franchise, is most likely to occur from 2029 onwards.
Knight Riders' Expanding Global Footprint
The Knight Riders Group, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Jay Mehta, has aggressively expanded its brand globally. Beyond the flagship Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, their portfolio includes the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the UAE's ILT20, and the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States. The group recently inaugurated the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles, hosting its first MLC match in July 2026, marking a significant milestone in cricket's expansion in the USA.
The Hundred 2026 Season Concludes
The recently concluded 2026 season of The Hundred saw new champions crowned on August 16, 2026. In the Men's competition, Manchester Super Giants clinched their maiden title by defeating Trent Rockets by five wickets in the final at Lord's. The Women's competition also saw a first-time winner, with Trent Rockets beating Sunrisers Leeds by eight wickets, also at Lord's.
The Knight Riders Group's conditional interest underscores its strategic approach to global cricket investment, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to integrate its brand into one of the sport's burgeoning markets. Their potential entry into The Hundred would undoubtedly add another layer of star power and competitive intensity to the English white-ball showcase.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2026 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
