In a commanding performance at Lord’s on Sunday, the Oval Invincibles clinched their third-consecutive men’s Hundred title by defeating the Trent Rockets by 26 runs to seal a memorable three‑peat.
Electing to bat, the Invincibles posted 168-5 in their 100 balls, powered by Will Jacks, who delivered a sensational 72 off 41 balls – the highest individual score in a men’s final.
Jordan Cox also chipped in with a brisk 40 off 28 balls while Nathan Sowter’s vicious 10‑ball spell ripped through the Rockets’ top order, dismantling key batsmen including Tom Banton, Joe Root, and Rehan Ahmed. This key spell landed Sowter the match hero award post match, a key feat for someone who was out of a professional contract around three seasons ago.
‘He does his job every single year,’ added Cox – showing Sowter’s importance within this squad’s success.
This triumph marked the end of an era for the Invincibles’ current line-up and format. An era defined by consistency, continuity, and brilliance. The squad’s stability, with multiple players returning from previous seasons, has formed the backbone of their dominance with around seven core players being present over the last three seasons.
New ownership takes charge
As celebrations subsided, attention turned swiftly to what lies ahead. The Hundred is undergoing a significant overhaul, driven by new investment and strategic vision.
In a groundbreaking move, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the powerhouse behind the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise, secured ownership of the Oval Invincibles. This positioned the team to join RIL’s prestigious stable of global cricket franchises, which includes teams like MI Cape Town, MI New York, and MI Emirates.
The new owners were present for Sunday’s final as they were seen celebrating with the Invincibles post-match.
Negotiations are expected to conclude by the end of 2025, with the ownership transition set to take effect for the 2026 season.
A re-brand on the horizon: MI London
Reports now suggest that the Oval Invincibles will be rebranded as MI London, aligning with Mumbai Indians’ global brand identity. This will likely come with new kits, livery, and a fresh visual identity.
Structure and format shake‑up
Beyond the re-branding, the tournament’s structure is set to change dramatically. The current draft system will be ditched in favour of an Indian Premier League‑style open auction, permitting teams to acquire around 12 players under a capped salary structure, plus three multi‑year direct signings.
Moreover, the entire competition might transition from its unique 100-ball format to the more globally recognised T20 format starting in 2026. This is being heavily-advocated by IPL-affiliated investors for alignment with international cricket trends and the Olympics.
Cox doesn’t agree though questioning: ‘Why would you want to be the second best comp (competition) in the world?
‘This is perfect for English cricket, just keep it the same – friends, family and kids love coming to watch, why ruin it!?’
It will be great to see how it all unfolds within the next few months and how the international investors look to revamp English franchise cricket.
Looking ahead: a new team emerges
The Invincibles’ run seems to now have come to an end. The team has been so successful it overtly means the group will not likely be playing together due to next year’s auction system.
Reflecting on their success, Cox said: ‘Being three from three, it’s going to quite hard to get the same players in the same team unless we’ve got some serious money lying around.’
It almost feels as though the Invincibles have achieved all they required from the Hundred and are content with the three-peat.
That said, the legacy forged by the Invincibles – built on cohesion, leadership, and consistency – has set a high bar for what’s to come.
