Historic event. An Indian company became the owner of an English cricket club

Indian cricket club owners have decided to enter the English market by buying one of the oldest clubs in the sport.

According to Daily Mail, the owners of Indian franchise Delhi Capitals have bought a majority stake in English club Hampshire. GMR Group, which also owns clubs in South Africa and the US, shelled out £120 million for a 53 per cent stake.

In addition to the club itself, GMR Group will also take possession of the Utilita Bowl stadium, as well as the golf course and hotel it owns. However, the new owners will come to the club not immediately, but gradually. Rod Bransgrove, the club's current chairman, will remain in his position for another two years, when the process of Hampshire's transition into new hands will be completed.

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Bransgrove saved Hampshire from decline at the turn of the millennium, having been elected to head the club in 2000. Remarkably, Hampshire became the first English cricket club with foreign capital.