In a major development for The Hundred, the Northern Superchargers have officially been renamed Sunrisers Leeds, marking a new era for the Leeds-based franchise. The rebranding comes after the Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate and owners of IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and SA20’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape, completed a £100 million takeover earlier this year.

The ownership change means the Sun Group now holds 100% control of the franchise after acquiring both Yorkshire’s 51% stake and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) 49% share. Documents filed with the UK’s Companies House confirm that the Superchargers’ name will be discontinued, replaced by Sunrisers Leeds to align with the group’s global cricket identity.

Two More Name Changes on the Horizon

The Hundred’s eight franchises are now under private ownership, and Sunrisers Leeds may not be the only side with a new identity next season.

• Manchester Originals are set to become Manchester Super Giants, following Lancashire’s deal with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which also owns IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants.
• Oval Invincibles are likely to be rebranded as MI London, with Reliance Industries Limited (owners of Mumbai Indians) expected to finalise their minority investment soon.

These changes are part of a broader internationalisation strategy for the tournament, as global investors bring familiar branding and cross-league visibility to The Hundred.

Yorkshire’s Financial Relief

Yorkshire County Cricket Club CEO Sanjay Patel said earlier this year that the sale has been crucial in stabilising the club’s finances. “The deal puts the club in a strong financial position, which has been far from the case for many years here, and we can start looking towards a very bright future,” Patel stated.

ALSO SEE: Five remarkable similarities between India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup win and 2011 Men’s World Cup glory

On-Field Impact

The Superchargers’ women’s team enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, clinching The Hundred title after defeating Southern Brave at Lord’s. The men’s team, meanwhile, fell short in the eliminator but will return next season with a new head coach, with reports linking Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Daniel Vettori to the vacancy following Andrew Flintoff’s departure.

The Hundred’s New Era

The ECB has also confirmed a shift from a draft system to an open player auction from the 2026 season. The move, along with increased salaries and an extra overseas player per team, aims to attract top international stars and boost the competition’s global appeal.

The Hundred 2026 season is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, ushering in a new era both on and off the field, with Sunrisers Leeds leading the way as the league’s first fully rebranded team.

In recent years, Abhishek Sharma has made a remarkable impact in T20 cricket with his aggressive and fearless batting approach. Representing both Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Indian team, he has consistently demonstrated a take-charge style that keeps opponents on the back foot.

His stellar performance in the Asia Cup further highlighted his dominance, as he emerged as India’s top scorer with 314 runs in seven innings, earning the Player of the Tournament award. Abhishek’s ability to consistently deliver under pressure has become a hallmark of his game.

Reflecting on his success, Abhishek credited part of his attacking mindset to the trust and freedom granted by the SRH leadership, including captain Pat Cummins and coach Daniel Vettori. Their encouragement allowed him to play without hesitation and unleash his full potential with the bat.

See Also: Kapil Dev weighs in: Could 1983 World Cup heroes beat India’s 2025 Asia Cup T20 champions?

Abhishek Sharma Talks About his Attacking Mindset:

On the ‘Breakfast with Champions’ YouTube show, when asked about the impact of Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori, as well as his opening partnership with Australia’s Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma shared his insights, highlighting how their guidance and collaboration shaped his aggressive yet composed approach at the crease.

He said, “ Travis Head, Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori… I will tell you one thing about all of them. I could not have gotten a better environment (in an IPL team). Just imagine, we were once having our batting meeting, all batters were standing. Vettori asked us if we want to discuss any specific bowlers.”

He further said, “ We maybe spoke about one or two bowlers. Dan (Vettori) asked Pat if he wanted to say something. Pat got up and faced the five or six batters who were sitting together, ‘Who do you wanna hit? Let’s mark your bowlers. Hit, Hit, Hit’ he said pointing at us. That’s it, meeting over.”

"HIT, HIT,HIT"

Abhishek Sharma Reveals SRH & Pat Cummins Mindset While Batting 🔥🏏 pic.twitter.com/c1xdXFP1we

— Haydos🛡️ (@diablo_kells) October 2, 2025

He added, “ Cummins told us, ‘In this team, even if we are 50 for the loss of six wickets, the 7th batter should not feel the pressure. Marte hue out hona chahiye, darte hue nahi! (Get out while hitting a big shot, not while protecting your wicket).”

He continued, “ I am fine with the team being 100 all out, but I don’t want safe scores of 160 or 170.’ He wanted us to back each other and take all bowlers head-on. Cummins would also say: ‘Hit all six balls if you want, me and Dan are with you. But this is the brand of cricket I want. The teams should fear us.”

He concluded, “ And he only says one thing to the bowlers: ‘Batters are doing their job. If they score 250, our job is to just concede 249… We just need to win, even if it’s by one run… If we score 280 runs, you can concede 279, I don’t have a problem. In the end we should win, that’s all.”

Abhishek Sharma on his Connection with Travis Head: 

Abhishek Sharma reflected on his connection with SRH opening partner Travis Head, revealing that during his Punjab cricket days, he encouraged teammates to mimic Head’s aggressive batting, often leading to their dismissals. Fate then brought Head to the Hyderabad franchise, where the two finally teamed up, forming a dynamic and impactful opening partnership.

He said, “ Whenever I would ask Travis for a plan in the middle, he would just say one thing, ‘Just spot the fielders and try to hit above them or in spaces where there is no one.’ He would say, ‘If you are not able to middle it, then give me the strike.’ I would think, ‘Why should I give you the strike, I’ll also hit.’”

He added, “ That’s why we have such good bonding, because his mindset is also the same. I used to enjoy watching Travis bat so much, because if you see, he dominates in all three formats. Bowlers would be scared of him.”

He further said, “ When Head got picked by SRH before the 2024-2025 IPL season, I was so happy to see that. Then Dan messaged me, ‘Do you want to open the innings or bat one down?’ I was like, ‘How can I not take the opportunity of opening with Travis Head.’ I said, ‘I will open, please!”

SRH seamer Harshal Patel has decided to part ways with Haryana after more than a decade and will represent Gujarat in the 2025-26 domestic season. The experienced pacer has completed the necessary paperwork and will be available for the state’s pre-season camp later this month, which also includes a tri-series featuring Baroda and Saurashtra. The move mirrors the recent switch of Jayant Yadav, another Haryana stalwart, who signed up with Puducherry.

This is a return home for Harshal, who was born in Gujarat and made his List A debut for the state in 2008-09. After the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, limited chances forced him to shift to Haryana, where he went on to become their leading bowler. Over 74 first-class matches, he has taken 246 wickets at 24.02 and was central to their white-ball success, especially the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph.

On the domestic front, Harshal has been a regular in the IPL, most recently taking 16 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2025 season, and his addition will give Gujarat a big boost to their bowling stocks as the franchise looks to rebuild under head coach Ramesh Powar, with the Ranji Trophy campaign beginning in October.

Harshal on his homecoming ahead of 2025-26 domestic season

"Right from 2010-11, since my Under-19 days, almost the entirety of my professional career has been with Haryana; I owe a lot to them. If that move to Haryana as an 18-year-old hadn't worked out for me, I would have probably moved to the USA and not played cricket in India,” Harshal said. "It was getting difficult for me to be away from the family for long periods of time. So I wanted to come back and see if I could finish my career here. Glad I got an opportunity to do that."

See Also: 'Talking to Virat bhai...'- Jitesh Sharma reveals bond and respect for Virat Kohli ahead of Asia Cup 2025

"I first asked Anil Patel [secretary, Gujarat Cricket Association] and he was gracious enough to say, 'this is your home; welcome back.' Having come back, I'm open to playing everything and anything that the team wants me to play. While my specialization will remain white-ball, I'm more than happy to take any opportunities that come my way with red-ball cricket," he explained. "My body allows me to bowl 20 overs in a day… I love the grind. The goal has always been to play the best cricket that I can play for as long as I can irrespective of the format."

David Warner has played cricket all over the world, but when he looks back at his journey with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), one memory stands above the rest: his iconic partnership with Jonny Bairstow in the 2019 IPL. For Warner, it wasn’t just about the runs or the records, but about the atmosphere, the fans, and the feeling of being at home in Hyderabad.

“One of my favourite memories when I was with Hyderabad was this incredible partnership,” Warner once said, reflecting on the afternoon when he and Bairstow rewrote IPL history with a 185-run stand against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Both players scored centuries that day, treating the packed Hyderabad crowd to a spectacle of fearless hitting. The conditions were brutal, with the scorching sun beating down, but the Orange Army never stopped cheering. “The atmosphere that afternoon in such ridiculous heat was amazing. I’ll never forget the fans of my favourite place in India, Hyderabad.”

ALSO SEE: 'Neither the strike rate nor the average looks very good...'- Former India cricketer's strong statements on star cricketer Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Unlikely Friendship and Unforgettable Memories: Warner and Bairstow’s Hyderabad Legacy

What made the partnership even more special was the unlikely bond between Warner, the fiery Australian opener, and Bairstow, the determined Englishman. Coming from rival cricketing nations, many expected them to clash, but instead, they built a friendship that blossomed both on and off the field. Their camaraderie was evident in every celebration firm hugs, smiles, and mutual respect.

 

 

 

 

 

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Together, Warner and Bairstow not only broke records but also lifted SRH to new heights. Their combination produced 791 runs in the 2019 season, including four century stands, making them one of the most successful opening pairs in IPL history. Warner himself admitted the partnership was “bizarre” because they had never played together before, yet it turned out to be one of the most profitable in the tournament.

For Warner, however, the numbers are just part of the story. What stays with him is the love from Hyderabad’s fans, who embraced him as their own and filled the stadium with unmatchable energy. It was more than just cricket; it was a connection, a bond, and a memory that will always remain close to his heart.

Multiple IPL franchises need to do some reinforcement work for the upcoming season. Taking lessons from their previous campaign, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) can try to sign some fresh batters to boost up their batting firepower. Jordan Cox can be an effective long-term investment for the above-mentioned franchises. But why do CSK, SRH, or KKR need to sign the emerging English batter? 

Cox has been in superb form in the ongoing The Hundred tournament with the Oval Invincibles. He is one of the few young batters who has been able to maintain their run flow. Additionally, the England international can be used as a wicketkeeper also. 

Franchises and why they should make an investment for Jordan Cox:

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK): CSK's last season was unexpectedly poor. The five-time IPL-winning team's batting side was full of cracks, which they need to fill up if the team management wishes to regain their glory days. The late inclusions of Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis came as rays of hope, as both of the batters made strong impressions through their explosive batting performances. If they decide to cash in for Jordan Cox, then it'll be another bet on a long-term prospect. The combination of Mhatre, Brevis, and Cox can bring a lot of possibilities into the lineup. 

Read More: 327 runs in 8 innings, emerging English batter making headlines ahead of IPL 2026 auction

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Star-studded batting line, probably the strongest batting lineup on paper during the IPL 2025. But their on-field performance showed them the reality. Inconsistency led the team down in the points table. After scoring a brilliant hundred, Ishan Kishan's performance graph was on the decline. Other capped and uncapped talents also did not perform in a consistent manner. SRH needs someone who can provide him a steady performance, like Cox's current stint in The Hundred. The young English top-order keeper-batter can be a good backup option for Heinrich Klaasen as well. 

3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): KKR was unable to play as a team in IPL 2025, and they failed to protect their title. They have to recruit some fresh, young talents to replace reputed but out-of-form experienced players from their first XI. Apart from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh, KKR's batting combination lacked upcoming talents and X-factor. Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Quinton De Kock are undoubtedly highly experienced candidates, but they are already well past their prime. The upcoming mini auction for IPL 2026 can be a crucial moment for Knight Riders to reshuffle their team. 

Slow bowling options became one of the effective weapons for bowling sides in limited-over matches. There are multiple experienced spinners who graced the format as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) with their skills. Ahead of the new edition of IPL, when most of the talks have been running around multiple big names, franchise scouts should note down some uncapped spinners' names who have the potential to be the next big thing of Indian cricket. Through his article, we will try to find 3 spinners who can create hype during the mini auction before IPL 2026. 

3 spinners to watch out for:

Shams Mulani

A prolific spin-bowling all-rounder who has already made his mark in various domestic tournaments. Mulani was with the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025 but got to play a very limited number of matches. In 2 IPL games, Mulani was unimpressive, scoring only one run and unable to take any wickets in 2 innings. But for Mumbai, in 2025, he was a stellar performer with the ball as well as with the bat.

Against Vidharbha, he took a total of 8 wickets; against Jammu and Kashmir, the all-rounder clinched 6 wickets. Unbeaten 100 he scored during the match against Meghalaya, against Haryana Mulani played a 91-run innings. The 28-year-old can be a good option for a long-term investment. 

Read More: OTD: Unmukt Chand led India to third Under-19 World Cup glory

Zeeshan Ansari

Another highly talented cricketer from Uttar Pradesh. He made his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025 and played 10 matches. The leg spinner in 10 matches claimed 6 wickets, including a best of 3/42. During the match against Delhi Capitals, Ansari struck three times and got one wicket each against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Harsh Dubey

Another jewel discovered by the scouts of Sunrisers Hyderabad. In IPL 2025, Dubey in 3 matches took 5 wickets. He made headlines after a 3-wicket figure against the Kolkata Knight Riders. After the conclusion of IPL, the 23-year-old played a match against England Lions for the India A team, where he got a wicket as well. In 19 first-class matches, Harsh Dubey bagged an impressive number of 98 wickets. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad star Samaran Ravichandran played an explosive innings in the ongoing 2025 Maharaja Trophy T20 to defeat the Mysore Warriors. Gulbarga Mystics batter Ravichandran came to bat in the middle order and played a quick-fire half-century to confirm a thrilling win. The batter was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL 2025. 

Mysore Warriors started the 4th match of the franchise league as the favorite to win. Batting first, they scored a competitive 184 runs after losing 9 wickets. After losing one of their openers early, Mysore made a comeback in the game against Gulbarga Mystics. Muralidhara Venkatesh made 77 off 50, supported by SU Karthik (36) and Harshil Dharmani (40).Experienced batter and the skipper of Mysore Warriors was disappointed as he was able to score only 12 runs in the innings. Lavish Kaushal was the most successful bowler for Gulbarga in the match by taking 3 wickets in his 4-over spell. 

Gulbarga Mystics displayed top-notch batting while chasing a target of 185. Sunrisers Hyderabad star Samaran Ravichandran produced one of the best displays of individual brilliance in the evening. Facing only 22 balls, he scored an unbeaten 52 and confirmed his team's victory against the strong opposition. During this quick-fire innings, Ravichandran smacked five 4s and four 6s.

The middle-order batter was well supported by other top-order batters of the team. Nikin Jose, an opener of Gulbarga, remained until the end of the run, chasing with an unbeaten 52 off 39, and Prajwal Pavan contributed significantly through his 33-ball, 45-run innings.Gulbarga Mystics won the match by 8 wickets. 

Read More: Aakash Chopra predicts who can be most expensive player for IPL 2026

He scored tons of runs for Karnataka 

Samaran emerged as the most entertaining batsman of the game. The player from Karnataka has some amazing domestic cricket stats with his name. The 22-year-old batter is a proven talent from Karnataka, who scored multiple triple-digit runs for his state.

In early 2025, he scored an unbeaten 133 against Haryana, and against Punjab, he got an innings of 203 and another 101-run innings against Vidharbha.From the beginning of 2025, Samaran Ravichandran has been in stunning form, which he continues in the 2025 Maharaja Trophy T20. 

Speculations are rolling around social media platforms regarding KL Rahul's future in IPL. Will he stay with Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026? That's become a corner rupees question, as the experienced keeper-batter has evolved as one of the most consistent and dependable performers for club and country. Teams with problems in keeping, batting, or even in leadership duties can consider the versatile cricketer as a new addition.

There are multiple team names surfacing on the internet linking with KL Rahul. So far, there is no clarification about his future for the upcoming Indian Premier League. But which 3 franchises can target him for the next season, and why? Let's derive. 

3 teams that can consider KL Rahul for IPL 2026:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Kolkata Knight Riders suffered all kinds of problems in the previous season. From top-order batting to captaincy, the champion of IPL 2024 experienced a horrendous campaign this year. For the upcoming Indian Premier League, they have no option but to do some repair work to boost up squad depth. Quinton De Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were in their squad as their top-order batters and keepers as well. De Kock, way past his career's best, showed some glimpses of prime but was not able to maintain a sustainable form throughout the series. KKR management also tried with Gurbaz in their playing combination, but that too did not work. In place of Quinton or Gurbaz, KL Rahul can be a like-for-like substitution. As the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane's decisions and on-field approach were under the scanner. Rahul can add value with their leadership qualities as well.

Read More: 'I'm not one to push you...'- Abhimanyu Easwaran's father reveals what Gautam Gambhir said

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK Super Kings, the 5-time IPL title-winning team, has been facing tough challenges with batting, captaincy, and keeping. MS Dhoni was their man in need from the beginning of the IPL; now he is over 40 years old, well past his prime. Dhoni is not only the former captain of CSK but also the icon. Replacing a player like Dhoni is not going to be easy. The team management needs someone who can perform on the field and at least maintain their brand value. As of now, KL Rahul is the only man who can tick all the boxes precisely. Dhoni recently hinted that Ruturaj Gaikwad is all set to be back as their regular skipper for IPL 2026. And KL Rahul avoided the leadership role in Delhi Capitals to enhance batting skills. If Ruturaj continues as CSK captain, then Rahul can maintain his focus on his performance. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Sunrisers Hyderabad can sound inappropriate in the list, but not illogical, as the team suffered with batting consistency throughout the IPL 2025. On pen and paper, SRH was the most star-studded and powerful batting lineup. But their on-field performance let them down. The top order of SRH mostly maintained off color in the entire season. Travis Head is undoubtedly a big name in international cricket, but not a successful one in the Indian Premier League. If SRH thinks about a replacement of Head, then Rahul is definitely a suitable option. His partnership with Abhishek Sharma up front can prove lethal against top-tier bowlers. 

Almost 8 years back, when very few people knew about Mohammed Siraj, he came under the spotlight as soon as he bowled out Rishabh Pant during an IPL 2017 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils).

Then the cricket experts Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle praised the delivery of Siraj, which knocked down the stumps. Later, Siraj shared the moment of appreciation of Shastri and Bhogle on social media to highlight the moment; it was like a certificate of excellence from the veterans.

Over the years, the Hyderabad-born has evolved a lot, cementing his place as a regular bowler in the Whites for Team India. The pacer started to make headlines because of his heroics against England. Siraj's outstanding bowling helped India to claim a series-deciding 6-run win at Kennington Oval in London. In this match, he produced the figures of 4/86 and 5/104 to depict his dominance under tough situations.

 

 

 

 

 

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Read More: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Shubman Gill reveals hilarious truth behind Mohammed Siraj's 'Nahi Bola Tu' comment

A tireless cricketer in all circumstances 

Because of his relentless bowling performances, Siraj not only collected the player of the match award but also emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps, having bowled a total of 185.3 overs across nine innings at an average of 32.43 and a strike rate of 48.39. After playing all 5 matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, the speed star bagged 123 wickets at an average of 31.05 and a strike rate of 52.1 in 41 tests. 

And in the previous Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) campaign, the pacer picked up 16 wickets in 15 outings for Gujarat Titans. Overall in his entire IPL career, Siraj played in 108 matches and got 109 wickets, with best figures of 4/17.

The IPL 2026 trade window has kicked off with a bang, sparking plenty of excitement and rumors among fans. With teams looking to regroup after a dramatic 2025 season, trade talks and player transfers are already making waves across social media platforms.

One of the most widely discussed speculations involves Kolkata Knight Riders' dynamic batter, Venkatesh Iyer. Reports have emerged suggesting that KKR is considering a major trade involving Iyer, possibly swapping him with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive batter Ishan Kishan. The rumor has sparked a range of reactions among fans, with both players having significant value to their respective teams.

Though nothing official has been confirmed yet, the possibility of such a high-profile trade has certainly added to the buzz of the ongoing trade window. As franchises prepare for the next season, fans are closely watching every move, hoping for strong squads and exciting cricket ahead in IPL 2026.

See Also: ENG vs IND: Will Jasprit Bumrah Play the 4th Test? Team India’s Assistant Coach Drops a Big Hint

IPL 2026 Trade News: KKR Likely to Part Ways with Star Batter:

Kolkata Knight Riders made headlines during the IPL 2025 mega auction by signing Venkatesh Iyer for a massive ₹23.75 crore. The high price tag made him one of the most expensive players of the season. However, his performance didn’t live up to expectations, turning the big investment into a major concern for the franchise.

Iyer’s poor form was one of the reasons behind KKR’s below-par title defense. Scoring only 142 runs in the entire season, his contribution was far from what was expected for a player who cost nearly one-fifth of the team’s total budget. As a result, reports suggest that KKR is now open to letting him go and cutting their losses.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have shown interest in Iyer and are reportedly exploring a trade, possibly involving Ishan Kishan. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also keeping an eye on the situation, with coach Andy Flower previously saying Iyer’s batting style could have flourished in their lineup. This situation reflects how IPL values performance over sentiment.