Knight Riders Group open to buying into The Hundred if competition grows

On 17 August 2026, Knight Riders Group, owners of Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders, said they would be interested in buying a stake in a new franchise in The Hundred if the competition expands.

KRG were among the parties involved when the England and Wales Cricket Board auctioned stakes in the eight Hundred franchises last year and were in the running for Trent Rockets. Trent Rockets sold a 49% stake to Cain International for just under £40m, but BBC Sport understands senior KRG officials decided not to pursue their interest at the time because they felt the franchise was slightly overvalued. KRG have indicated they would consider re-entering talks if The Hundred increased from eight teams to 10.

KRG’s renewed interest would give the ECB another potential bidder with links to the IPL at the point it looks to add new franchises. Several existing Hundred teams are already owned or part-owned by groups with IPL connections, including Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, MI London and Southern Brave.

Durham and a side in the south west, potentially based in Bristol or Taunton, have previously been suggested as possible locations for two additional franchises. Those locations have been floated in coverage of potential expansion plans.

The Hundred is unlikely to add teams before the end of the current media rights cycle, which runs until the end of 2028. The ECB has been described as able to seek expansion from 2029, with the argument that adding two teams and more fixtures could raise the value of the next broadcast deal.

KRG own franchises across multiple territories — in India, the Caribbean, the UAE and the United States — giving them one of the most extensive portfolios in global franchise cricket. Kolkata Knight Riders have won three IPL titles, in 2012, 2014 and 2024.

Any expansion to 10 teams would therefore be possible from 2029, creating the timeline in which KRG and other potential bidders with IPL ties could resume interest in purchasing stakes.