Sanjiv Goenka Unveils Player Signings for Manchester Super Giants Ahead of The Hundred 2026
Announcement of Player Signings
Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, has revealed the roster for both the men's and women's Manchester Super Giants teams in anticipation of the sixth season of The Hundred tournament, scheduled for July this year.
Acquisition of Manchester Franchise
In February 2025, the RPSG Group, led by Goenka, secured a 70% stake in the Manchester franchise, marking a significant shift towards privatized ownership in The Hundred. This acquisition led to the rebranding of Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants, joining the ranks of Lucknow and Durban Super Giants. Previously, Goenka's group held a 49% share through the bidding process.
Strategic Partnership with Lancashire
Following the sale of a 21% stake in Manchester Originals by the Lancashire club, the remaining shares were integrated into a strategic partnership with the RPSG Group. This collaboration positions the Manchester Super Giants as a joint venture between Goenka's group and the Lancashire Cricket Club as they prepare for The Hundred 2026.
First Player Signings
As the auction for The Hundred 2026 approaches in March 2025, Goenka has announced the signings of four players for the men's team and three for the women's team, marking the franchise's inaugural player signings for the upcoming season.
In a video shared on the Manchester Super Giants' X account (formerly Twitter), Goenka introduced Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Heinrich Klaasen, and Noor Ahmad as part of the men's team, with Justin Langer appointed as head coach. For the women's team, Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana, and Sophie Ecclestone have been signed, with Matthew Potts taking on the head coach role.
Mispronunciation Incident
During the announcement of the signings, Goenka mistakenly referred to Meg Lanning, the former Australian captain and seven-time World Cup champion, as 'Meg Canning.' This slip sparked a wave of criticism and ridicule from fans on social media.
The mispronunciation quickly gained traction online, with cricket enthusiasts questioning Goenka's familiarity with women's cricket and expressing their disappointment over the oversight.
Fan Reactions
Fans took to their X accounts to express their discontent, labeling Goenka's mistake as 'unprofessional' and humorously asking, 'Who is Meg Canning?' Memes and jokes proliferated as supporters criticized the franchise's management for allowing the video to be published without correcting the error.
Comments ranged from disbelief at the mispronunciation to calls for better respect towards women's cricket, highlighting the need for the franchise to improve its management and public relations.
Franchise Performance Overview
Historically, the Manchester Originals, now the Manchester Super Giants, have yet to secure a title in either the men's or women's divisions of The Hundred. The men's team reached the finals in 2022 and 2023 but fell short against Trent Rockets and Oval Invincibles, respectively. Meanwhile, the women's team has not advanced beyond the league stage since the tournament's inception in 2021, intensifying the pressure on the rebranded franchise to achieve better results in the upcoming 2026 season.