Delhi Capitals to buy stakes in Hampshire County

IPL franchise Delhi Capitals are rumored to be in talks with the English County side Hampshire to purchase stakes in the English Cricket team. As per the report in the “Daily Telegraph,” the former chairman of Hampshire County, Rod Bransgrove, who still holds the majority share in the team, is in talks with Delhi Capitals to sell his part of the team to the GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals. GMR Group has a 50% stake in the Delhi Capitals franchise, both in the IPL and the Women’s Premier League. Rod Bransgrove relinquished his post as chairman last year and holds more than 60% of the team. If the deal between the two happens, then that would make Hampshire the first county side to be owned by an overseas franchise.

But why are Delhi Capitals co-owners showing interest in purchasing shares in an English cricket team? As of now, the only valid reason behind attempting to make such a deal is the rising popularity of “the hundred” league in England, and it would give the Delhi Capitals an upper hand in the English league and groom its own players. It’s not the first time for Hampshire to seal a deal with an IPL franchise; earlier, the Rajasthan Royals were in partnership with Hampshire between 2010 and 2013. In fact, their T20 team was also known as the Hampshire Royals.

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