Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals could be eyeing a foothold in English cricket as it’s in “advanced talks” to buy stakes in county side Hampshire, according to a report.
A report in the Daily Telegraph said 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”, it said.
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 sell their shares.
Bransgrove, who was in charge of Hampshire for nearly 23 years, relinquished his post as chairman last year but continues to hold more that 60 per cent of the shares.
The report added that Hampshire is one of the three county clubs, besides Northamptonshire and Durham, which are not member-owned, giving Bransgrove the choice to sell his stakes “without fan input”.
GMR also own Dubai Capitals in the UAE’s ILT20 besides having a share in USA’s Major League Cricket side Seattle Orcas.
Bhuvi set to return
Calcutta: Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to feature in Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy clash against Bengal at the Green Park in Kanpur beginning on Friday.
“Yes, he’s playing this match,” UP coach Sunil Joshi confirmed on Thursday.
This would be the 33-year-old quick’s first first-class game since the January 2018 India-South Africa Test in Johannesburg.
For Bengal, pacer Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal and left-arm spinner Ankit Mishra are likely to debut. Jaiswal may come in for Akash Deep, who’s now with the India ‘A’ squad. Mishra may replace off-spinner Pradipta Pramanik.
A STAFF REPORTER