Rod Bransgrove: Hampshire saviour hailed by new owners GMR as he steps down

Hampshire Cricket’s new owners, Indian group GMR, have hailed Rod Bransgrove after the long-serving chairman stepped down in the wake of their full takeover.

GMR, which also owns the Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals, this month acquired the final shares in the club as part of a staged £120m buyout agreed in September 2024.

Pharmaceuticals entrepreneur Bransgrove injected £15m of his own cash to save Hampshire from extinction in 2000 and turn them into one of the best-run counties in the English game. 

Under his stewardship they have won multiple white-ball titles across men’s and women’s cricket, as well as developing the Utilita Bowl into a premier venue.

“I would like to pay tribute to Rod for the extraordinary leadership and vision he has shown over the past quarter of a century,” said the club’s new chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi. 

“His stewardship has not only transformed Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl into a world-class sporting and leisure destination, but has also fostered a culture built on passion, resilience and community that is truly special.

“As we take on this responsibility, we recognise that the true strength of this organisation lies in its people and in the spirit that Rod and his team have nurtured over many years. Our commitment is to honour and preserve that culture, while thoughtfully aligning it with GMR’s core values to create a unified, forward-looking organisation.

“We are excited to build on the remarkable legacy that has been established here, investing in long-term growth and innovation, and ensuring that the club continues to thrive for the benefit of its members, supporters and the wider community for generations to come.”

Bransgrove: Hampshire in safe hands with Delhi Capitals owners GMR

Bransgrove is to remain involved with Hampshire, taking on the title of Honorary Life President and staying on as a director for at least three more years.

“This moment brings to a close a chapter that has meant more to me than words can express,” said the 76-year-old. 

“What we have built at Hampshire has been a collective effort, driven by incredible people, loyal supporters and partners who believed in a shared vision. I am overwhelmingly grateful to all those people who have shared this ground-breaking experience with me.

“I have immense pride in what we have achieved here and unequivocal confidence that, under GMR’s full ownership, the club and venue are in the safest of hands. The future is incredibly exciting, and I will be watching closely.”