The 2026 edition of The Hundred is set to be a landmark season, transitioning into a high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL)-style auction era following a massive infusion of private investment.
The Hundred Men’s 2026: Skyrocketed salary cap and collaboration with IPL giants
The men’s salary cap has skyrocketed by 45% to a record £2.05 million per team, reflecting the league’s ambition to compete with global T20 powerhouses like the IPL and SA20. During the initial ‘signing window’ franchises were permitted to secure a maximum of four core players, a mix of retentions and direct signings, to form their foundation. With iconic rebrands like MI London and Manchester Super Giants, the tournament is aligning with global sporting giants to maximize its reach. Every ball truly counts as the competition integrates this new financial model to secure the world’s most elite cricketing talent ahead of the main auction in March.
Key retentions & blockbuster moves in form of Jos Buttler and Dewald Brevis
- Jos Buttler (Manchester Super Giants): The England white-ball captain remains the crown jewel of the Manchester franchise. Under the new Super Giants branding (led by the RPSG Group), retaining Jos Buttler was the ultimate priority to ensure elite leadership and unmatched explosive power at the top of the order.
- Dewald Brevis (London Spirit): Replacing traditional veterans, the South African prodigy known as ‘Baby AB’ is the headline direct signing for the Spirit. His arrival at Lord’s signals a tactical shift toward high-velocity youth, promising 360-degree fireworks for the London crowd.
Also READ: REVEALED: The team Smriti Mandhana will represent in The Hundred 2026
The Hundred Men’s squads: 2026 pre-auction signings and retentions
The following players have been officially secured. All other squad spots (up to 16 or 18 total) will be finalized during the March 2026 Auction
Men’s Squads: 2026 pre-Auction signings
| Team | Retained & Direct Signed Players (Men’s) |
|---|---|
| Manchester Super Giants | Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Noor Ahmad, Liam Dawson |
| London Spirit | Dewald Brevis, Adam Zampa, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton |
| MI London | Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Nicholas Pooran |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Marsh |
| Trent Rockets | Ben Duckett, Tim David, Tom Banton, Mitchell Santner |
| Birmingham Phoenix | Rehan Ahmed, Jacob Bethell, Mitchell Owen |
| Welsh Fire | Phil Salt, Rachin Ravindra |
| Southern Brave | Jofra Archer |
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