In a landmark development for the global cricket landscape, the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group (RPSG) has officially heralded a new era for cricket in North West England. On Thursday, Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of the RPSG Group, unveiled the Manchester Super Giants as the new identity for the franchise formerly known as the Manchester Originals.

Representing Manchester in The Hundred, the team will continue to call the iconic Emirates Old Trafford its home. This rebranding follows the RPSG Group’s acquisition of a 70% stake in the team, a strategic move that integrates the Manchester franchise into a global “Super Giants” ecosystem that already includes the Lucknow Super Giants (IPL) and Durban’s Super Giants (SA20).

A powerhouse coaching setup and leadership in Manchester Super Giants

To ensure a high-performance culture from the outset, the franchise has assembled a “who’s who” of world-class coaching talent. Tom Moody has been appointed as the Global Director of Cricket, overseeing the strategic direction of all RPSG-owned teams. Moody’s vast experience, including leading the Oval Invincibles to a hat-trick of titles in The Hundred, makes him a pivotal architect for the team’s future.

In a major shake-up for the men’s side, legendary Australian figure Justin Langer takes the reins as Head Coach. Langer, currently at the helm of Lucknow Super Giants, replaces Simon Katich and brings a proven “winning mindset” to the squad. On the women’s side, the appointment of Matthew Mott as Head Coach is equally significant. Mott, who transformed the Australian women’s team into a global juggernaut and recently served as England’s white-ball coach, succeeds Michael Klinger. Together, these appointments signal a clear intent to dominate both the men’s and women’s competitions.

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Dr. Sanjiv Goenka announces the club’s initial signings

The first list of signings for the Manchester Super Giants reads like a world-class fantasy roster. Goenka confirmed that the men’s squad will be anchored by England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and the explosive South African batter Heinrich Klaasen. Their power-hitting will be complemented by a formidable spin duo: Afghanistan’s rising star Noor Ahmad and the experienced English all-rounder Liam Dawson.

The women’s team is equally stacked with talent, featuring three of the most decorated names in modern cricket:

• Meg Lanning: The former Australian captain known for her prolific run-scoring and tactical brilliance.
• Smriti Mandhana: The Indian batting sensation whose elegance and power have made her a fan favorite worldwide.
• Sophie Ecclestone: The world’s number-one ranked T20I bowler, providing essential local flavor and world-class skill.

Shashwat Goenka, Vice-Chairman of the RPSG Group, emphasized that the Super Giants brand is more than just a name; it is an emotion intended to resonate with the passionate sporting culture of Manchester. As the 2026 season approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting January 27, when the fixture list and season tickets will be released, followed by the highly anticipated player auction in March.

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