In a big growth for English cricket, former worldwide cricketer Kevin Pietersen has performed a pivotal position in brokering a landmark deal between the co-owners of Delhi Capitals and Hampshire Cricket. This new “strategic partnership” with the GMR Group was formally introduced on Monday, with Pietersen describing it as a “historic day in English cricket.”
Pietersen’s Connection to the Deal
Pietersen, who represented Hampshire from 2005 to 2010 and later performed for Delhi Capitals within the Indian Premier League (IPL), has maintained an in depth relationship with Kiran Kumar Grandhi, the chairman of GMR. The 2 attended a latest T20I match between England and Australia on the Utilita Bowl, additional solidifying their connection.
Whereas Pietersen doesn’t have any formal enterprise pursuits in both GMR or Hampshire, his casual position in introducing the 2 events has been acknowledged by each side. “HISTORIC DAY in English Cricket! Congrats to everybody on this journey,” he tweeted following the announcement. “It is solely the beginning…. LFG! [Let’s f***ing go].”
Insights from Hampshire’s Management
Rod Bransgrove, chairman of Hampshire’s dad or mum firm, revealed that he spent 18 months partaking with potential traders worldwide earlier than choosing GMR as companions. Bransgrove highlighted GMR’s ethos, household orientation, and dedication to social duty as key components of their choice.
Bransgrove confirmed Pietersen’s involvement, stating, “Kevin takes an ambassadorial position for GMR and we have actually spoken to him a couple of times. He is been very within the potential for this as a result of he is aware of each cultures nicely.”
GMR’s Future Plans
The GMR Group is presently pursuing a 49% stake in Southern Courageous, one other group concerned within the ECB’s privatization of The Hundred competitors. Nonetheless, Bransgrove clarified that the settlement with GMR predates any discussions about adjustments to possession fashions inside The Hundred.
“After we struck this cope with GMR, we stated that a part of our asset base is a one-nineteenth curiosity in The Hundred competitors,” Bransgrove defined. He emphasised that the valuation agreed upon wouldn’t be contingent on buying a franchise however would come with provisions for future worth will increase ought to Hampshire be awarded a franchise.
Hampshire’s Aspirations
Bransgrove expressed his ambition for Hampshire to keep up its management place inside English cricket, particularly with the upcoming Ashes Check scheduled for 2027 on the Utilita Bowl. He said that whereas enterprise operations will proceed as typical, having GMR’s backing will improve their capabilities and open new alternatives.
“It should be enterprise as typical for Hampshire, besides with the boldness of getting GMR behind this,” he famous. “What is going to change over time is that we are going to begin to profit from the proliferation of cricket across the globe within the franchise format.”
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