indian cricket icon Smriti Mandhana has once again made headlines by securing a major step forward in a newly rebranded franchise for the 2026 edition. Hundred. The 100-ball tournament, which has become a staple of the English summer, will see one of its biggest stars switch allegiance after a stellar stint with his previous team. Mandhana, known for her brilliant stroke play and aggressive starts, is entering this new chapter at the peak of her powers, having recently played a transformative role for the Indian national team on the world stage.
This is 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 after a stellar 2025 season, where she played a key role in India’s maiden title win. ICC ODI World Cup Victory. Prolific opening batsman moves to Old Trafford after stellar stint southern brave (2021–2024), where he established himself as one of the most consistent performers of the tournament by scoring 676 runs at a strike rate of around 140.
Mandhana’s transfer to Manchester marks a high-profile direct signing for the franchise, which has moved quickly to secure his services during the current retention window. Joining forces with Australian giant meg lanning And Englandspin sensation of Sophie EcclestoneMandhana will enter the 2026 campaign at the peak of her powers, fresh from a historic 2025 season, where she vice-captained India for the first time. ICC ODI World Cup Topic.
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A global powerhouse rebrands into The Hundred after a historic acquisition
manchester original has officially moved into a new era, having been rebranded as manchester super giants Before the 2026 season. This change follows a historic acquisition Sanjeev Goenka’RPSG Group, which purchased a 70 percent stake in the franchise for approximately £80 million. The rebranding aligns the team with Goenka’s other key cricket properties, including Lucknow Super Giants and in IPL Durban’s super giants In SA20.
By bringing the identity of ‘Super Giants’ to The Hundred, the ownership aims to establish a consistent global brand. Goenka shared his vision for the project on X and Instagram, and emphasized that Manchester’s rich sporting heritage makes it the perfect home for this expansion. He said 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.
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This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
