Indian cricket icon Smriti Mandhana has made headlines once again by securing a marquee move to a newly rebranded franchise for the 2026 edition of The Hundred. The 100-ball tournament, which has become a staple of the English summer, will see one of its biggest stars switch allegiances after a legendary tenure with her previous side. Mandhana, known for her elegant stroke play and aggressive opening starts, enters this new chapter during the peak of her powers, having recently played a transformative role for the Indian national team on the world stage.
Here’s where Smriti Mandhana will play in The Hundred 2026 season
Indian superstar Mandhana has officially signed with the newly rebranded Manchester Super Giants. Mandhana joins the team following a prolific 2025 season where she was instrumental in leading India to their first-ever ICC ODI World Cup victory. The prolific opening batter makes the move to Old Trafford following a decorated stint with the Southern Brave (2021–2024), where she established herself as one of the tournament’s most consistent performers, amassing 676 runs at a strike rate of nearly 140.
Mandhana’s transition to Manchester marks a high-profile direct signing for the franchise, which has moved quickly to secure her services during the current retention window. By joining forces with Australian legend Meg Lanning and England’s spin sensation Sophie Ecclestone, Mandhana will enters the 2026 campaign at the peak of her powers, fresh off a historic 2025 season where she vice-captained India to their maiden ICC ODI World Cup title.
A global powerhouse rebrand in The Hundred following a landmark acquisition
The Manchester Originals have officially transitioned into a new era, having been rebranded as the Manchester Super Giants ahead of the 2026 season. This transformation follows a landmark acquisition by Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group, which purchased a 70 percent stake in the franchise for approximately £80 million. The rebranding aligns the team with Goenka’s other premier cricket properties, including the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20.
By bringing the ‘Super Giants’ identity to The Hundred, the ownership aims to establish a consistent global brand. Goenka shared his vision for the project on X and Instagram, emphasizing that Manchester’s rich sporting legacy makes it the perfect home for this expansion. He noted that the franchise is committed to becoming a core part of the city’s culture, with the new identity representing their high-reaching ambitions to secure silverware in both the men’s and women’s categories.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
