RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which owns teams like Lucknow Super Giants and Durban Super Giants, has acquired Manchester Originals and rebranded the franchise as Manchester Super Giants. Goenka faced criticism from Meg Lanning’s fans for her alleged unprofessional conduct during the team’s launch event.
The Super Giants Group has signed two of the biggest names in women’s cricket, Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning as well as England spinner Sophie Ecclestone. In the men’s setup, the group made key calls while retaining attacking stars Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen, along with other key players.
Manchester Super Giants sign players for men’s and women’s teams
Sanjiv Goenka said Manchester Super Giants focused on building a men’s team with match winners. The team signed Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen as well as spinners Noor Ahmed and Liam Dawson, keeping their home ground conditions in mind.
Goenka said, “We have made good signings for the men’s team with two world-class batsmen and proven match-winners, Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen. The Old Trafford pitch is traditionally slow and hence, we have gone with two spinners, Noor Ahmed, who is arguably one of the best spin bowlers in the world, and Liam Dawson, a proven English slow bowler.”
Sanjiv Goenka faces allegations of unprofessionalism from Meg Lanning fans
Sanjiv Goenka came under fire during the launch of Manchester Super Giants when fans accused him of unprofessional behaviour. He mispronounced the names of female players, including Meg Lanning.
Fans expressed anger that the mistake was neither corrected nor edited, calling Lanning’s status as a seven-time World Cup winner insulting.
“For the women’s team, it is a mix of experience and youth. England’s Sophie Ecclestone is a quality spinner. Meg Canning, someone who has been a part of seven World Cup campaigns with multiple wins. India’s Smriti Mandhana, our own Smriti Mandhana, is again a proven match-winner.”
“Tom Moody will serve as Director of Cricket, another proven success story. Justin Langer has been appointed head coach of the men’s franchise, while Matthew Mott will be the coach of the women’s franchise, both bringing an enviable track record.”
Not knowing the players is one thing. But getting their name wrong is a whole other level of unprofessionalism.
The fact that it was left in the video and no one noticed/corrected it is what makes it so insulting.
Meg “Canning”. Unreal! https://t.co/dK5aPXJQCB
– Jeet Vachrajani (Female ) (@Jeetv27WC) 15 January 2026
Please don’t tell me he called 7-time World Cup-winning megastar Meg Canning
– BaniIM (@BM_3697) 15 January 2026
Meg Canning? like seriously
– Tushar Rane (@tushnemma) 16 January 2026
If it’s Meg Canning she’ll definitely be playing for the Manchester Sodium Giants.
– Deepti (@Deeptiraonayak) 16 January 2026
Budde did you say Meg Canning??????
– Moka Pot (@coffeemonk9) 15 January 2026
Pronounce Meg’s name correctly
– Bleed Blue (@CricCrazyVeena) 15 January 2026
Meg Canning
What is this shoenka? https://t.co/ZLAKwK1Brs– Asli BCCI Women #WPL 2026 (@AsliBCCIWomen1) 15 January 2026
Manchester Super Giants eye first 100 titles after RPSG takeover
RPSG Group purchased a 70% stake in the franchise, bringing Manchester Supergiants under the network. The group already owns Lucknow Super Giants and Durban Super Giants in the IPL.
Manchester Originals failed to win the Hundred title in its first five seasons. The men’s team came close in 2022 and 2023 but finished runner-up on both occasions.
Meg Lanning joins after playing for the Oval Invincibles and London Spirit. Liam Dawson has spent the last four years at London Spirit after beginning his Hundred journey with Southern Brave. Smriti Mandhana played for Southern Brave from 2021 to 2024 and won the tournament in 2023.
The franchise has also unveiled a new logo featuring an elephant. The Manchester Super Giants now aim to challenge for their first hundred titles in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Also read: Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed hit by visa delay, England nervous before T20 World Cup 2026
