Sanjay Govil, a tech entrepreneur and investor in Welsh Fire, has questioned the long-term viability of the Hundred format, suggesting that a switch to T20 cricket would ultimately serve the sport better. While acknowledging the format’s uniqueness, he believes that adding another variation to an already packed cricket calendar may not be sustainable in the long run. Govil sees T20 as a more logical and streamlined alternative for the future, although any changes would need to be considered carefully and over time.
Govil, who also owns Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom, acquired a 50% stake in Welsh Fire earlier this year in a deal valuing the franchise at £84.6 million surpassing even more established sides like Trent Rockets and Birmingham Phoenix. Despite Welsh Fire’s struggles with fan engagement and a lack of local player representation, Govil was drawn to the idea of “one team, one country” and found strong alignment with Glamorgan’s leadership during initial discussions.
Though the final agreements with the governing body are still pending, largely due to legal and contractual complexities around broadcast rights and governance, Govil remains confident that the process will conclude soon. Once finalized, he is set to become a prominent figure in English cricket.
Govil’s vision for Welsh Fire includes closer ties with his MLC franchise. Noting the happy coincidence of the shared initials “WF,” he aims to create pathways for players to move between the two sides, particularly as the calendars for MLC and the Hundred sit back-to-back. Steve Smith, a marquee player for Washington Freedom, will feature for Welsh Fire this summer, with more such crossover signings expected in future seasons.
While acknowledging the importance of nurturing homegrown talent, Govil is realistic about the time it takes to develop a strong local player base. In the meantime, leveraging global stars is a priority. The lack of recent England players from Glamorgan hasn’t been a major concern for him yet, as his focus remains on setting up a robust organizational structure.
His passion for the game is rooted in childhood memories of following cricket in India, inspired by India’s 1983 World Cup win and tracking county scores in newspapers. While he is a strong advocate for Test cricket, Govil recognizes that the international calendar is under pressure from the growing influence of franchise leagues. He envisions a future where Test cricket could be condensed into two blocks of six weeks annually, allowing room for various leagues like the IPL, MLC, and the Hundred without overwhelming players.
Another issue Govil raises is the way broadcast rights are currently packaged. At present, English cricket is sold as a bundled product, mixing formats like Test, ODI, and the Hundred. He argues that separating these rights would bring transparency to their individual market values and help understand whether Test cricket is indeed subsidising newer formats like the Hundred or vice versa.
Govil speaks of the camaraderie among the new Hundred franchise owners, many of whom come from diverse cricketing backgrounds. He sees the group as collaborative, with a shared understanding that collective success benefits all involved.
His reflections point to a sport at a crossroads, grappling with tradition and innovation. While the Hundred was created to attract new fans and broadcasters, voices like Govil’s hint at possible future shifts, not just in format, but in structure, governance, and the commercial model underpinning the modern game.
