Lucknow Super Giants owned by Sanjiv Goenka acquired Manchester Originals in a race with two other IPL teams that took place on 3 February, Monday. The LSG owner also owns another T20 team Durban Super Giants of SA20 and this highly strategic move marks a significant expansion of the owner.
The deal was finalized at a 49% stake in the Manchester Originals with a price of £107 million according to Cricbuzz. The Indian business tycoon beat two other IPL franchises who were interested in the deal though the names are yet to be revealed.
“Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders were all in the initial list of interested parties who are believed to have backed out. Whether one of them has re-entered the fray is to be ascertained,” the report stated.
Daniel Gidney, the chief executive of the Originals, has previously shown interest in partnering with an IPL team, “We have been very focused on securing a great partner – ideally from the IPL – and RPSG has been our preferred bidder for some time.” he said.
Lancshire’s deal is different as they become the first host to hand over such a dominant stake. However, they are planning to sell 21% of the 51%, holding the remaining 30%. They will use these funds to build indoor schools and infrastructure to provide better facilities for the members and also lower their debts.
Who are Manchester Originals, and what does it mean to LSG
Manchester Originals is a franchise-based team that competes in the Hundred, and while they haven’t won the title yet, the men’s team were the finalists of the tournament in both seasons. Some notable players of the team are Jos Buttler who is a world-class T20 Batsman and is known for his explosive batting. Phil Salt who is an opening batsman and Sikandar Raza, an all-rounder bring unmatched expertise to the team.
Owning teams in difficult leagues allows for a wider network, which means LSG could possibly gain tips from renowned players of the Originals. This could help LSG players gain experience in different conditions and tournaments, improving their skills and adaptability for the upcoming IPL 2025.
