Published on: Aug 1, 2025 1:10 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 1, 2025 1:55 pm IST
The Hundred League, launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is a professional franchise-based cricket tournament that has rapidly gained popularity since its inception in 2021. Played in a unique 100-ball format, the league was designed to attract new audiences, shorten match durations, and inject fresh energy into the sport. With eight city-based teams competing in both men’s and women’s divisions, The Hundred has become a staple of the English summer, blending entertainment, innovation, and high-quality cricket.
As the fifth season approaches from 5th August 2025, the league continues to evolve, with new investors, revamped squads, and heightened anticipation. This article explores the history, past champions, team compositions, key players, venues, and live streaming details for Indian viewers.
The Hundred presents a radically simplified and fast-paced alternative to traditional formats like Test, ODI, or T20 cricket. Each team plays one innings of 100 balls, making it easier for new audiences to follow. Instead of six-ball overs, bowlers deliver sets of either five or ten consecutive balls, and each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls per game.
There’s a strategic timeout of two and a half minutes per innings, where coaches can discuss tactics with their players. Matches are designed to last approximately two and a half hours, which is ideal for prime-time broadcasting and stadium attendance.
During the league stage, each team plays eight matches, four at home and four away. The team finishing at the top of the table moves directly to the final, while the second and third-ranked teams face off in an eliminator for the other spot.
The concept of The Hundred was first proposed in 2016 as a response to declining attendance and engagement in traditional formats. The ECB aimed to create a fast-paced, easy-to-understand version of cricket that could appeal to families, younger audiences, and casual fans. After extensive consultations and a vote among stakeholders, the league was approved in 2017.
Originally scheduled to debut in 2020, the tournament was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and officially launched in 2021. Unlike the conventional T20 format, each team faces 100 balls per innings, with bowlers delivering either five or ten consecutive balls. Matches typically last around two and a half hours, making them more accessible for live audiences and broadcasters.
The Hundred has also been notable for its commitment to gender parity, with equal prize money for men’s and women’s competitions and double-header matchdays at shared venues.
The men’s competition has seen four different champions in its first four seasons, showcasing the league’s competitive balance.
Oval Invincibles have emerged as the most successful men’s team, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. Southern Brave and Trent Rockets have also lifted the trophy once each. The Invincibles will be looking to complete their hat-trick of the coveted title.
Here’s the complete schedule for the Men’s Hundred 2025, including both UK local time and Indian Standard Time (IST):
The 2025 season features the same eight franchises, each boasting a mix of international stars and domestic talent. Below is a breakdown of each team, their squad highlights, strengths, weaknesses, and players to watch.
Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Trent Boult (o), Jacob Bethell, Benny Howell, Adam Milne (o), Dan Mousley, Tim Southee (o), Will Smeed, Chris Wood, Aneurin Donald, Joe Clarke, Harry Moore, Tom Helm, Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber.
Captain: Liam Livingstone Coach: Daniel Vettori
Strengths: Explosive batting lineup with depth and experience. Weaknesses: Inconsistent bowling performances in past seasons.
Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Daniel Worrall, Kane Williamson (o), Richard Gleeson, Olly Stone, Ollie Pope, Keaton Jennings, Jamie Overton, David Warner (o), Luke Wood, Ashton Turner (o), Jafer Chohan, Wayne Madsen, Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins.
Captain: Kane Williamson Coach: Justin Langer
Strengths: Strong top-order and experienced leadership. Weaknesses: Bowling lacks variety in the spin department.
Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Heinrich Klaasen (o), Matthew Hurst, Scott Currie, Josh Tongue, Tom Hartley, Sonny Baker, Tom Aspinwall, Noor Ahmad (o), Rachin Ravindra (o), Lewis Gregory, Ben McKinney, George Garton, James Anderson, Marchant de Lange.
Captain: Jos Buttler Coach: Simon Katich
Strengths: Balanced squad with explosive batting and seasoned bowlers. Weaknesses: Dependence on top-order for runs.
Harry Brook, Adil Rashid, David Miller (o), Mitchell Santner (o), Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Ben Dwarshuis (o), Graham Clark, Pat Brown, Tom Lawes, Zak Crawley, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Dawid Malan, James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff.
Coach: Andrew Flintoff
Strengths: Strong batting core and spin options. Weaknesses: Pace attack lacks consistency.
Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Tom Curran, Jordan Cox, Rashid Khan (o), Saqib Mahmood, Sam Billings, Gus Atkinson, Nathan Sowter, Donovan Ferreira (o), Tawanda Muyeye, Jason Behrendorff (o), Miles Hammond, George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar.
Captain: Sam Billings Coach: Tom Moody
Strengths: Balanced squad with match-winners in all departments. Weaknesses: Occasional middle-order collapses.
James Vince, Jofra Archer, Tymal Mills, Chris Jordan, Jason Roy, Leus Du Plooy, Craig Overton, Laurie Evans, Finn Allen (o), Danny Briggs, James Coles, Michael Bracewell (o), Reece Topley, Jordan Thompson, Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright (o).
Captain: James Vince Coach: Adrian Birrell
Strengths: Strong bowling attack and experienced batting. Weaknesses: Injury concerns for key players.
Joe Root, Marcus Stoinis (o), Tom Banton, John Turner, Sam Cook, Sam Hain, Tom Alsop, Calvin Harrison, David Willey, Lockie Ferguson (o), Max Holden, George Linde (o), Adam Hose, Rehan Ahmed, Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson.
Captain: David Willey Coach: Andy Flower
Strengths: Versatile squad with depth in batting and bowling. Weaknesses: Lack of spin options.
Chris Woakes, Steve Smith (o), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Luke Wells, Stephen Eskinazi, David Payne, Paul Walter, Riley Meredith (o), Chris Green (o), Saif Zaib, Josh Hull, Mason Crane, Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway.
Coach: Mike Hussey
Strengths: Experienced international stars. Weaknesses: Inconsistent performances in previous seasons.
The tournament will be played across eight iconic cricket grounds in England and Wales. Each team has a designated home venue.
Here’s a concise overview of T20 stats for each home ground in The Hundred League:
These venues will host both men’s and women’s matches, often as double-headers, providing fans with full-day cricketing entertainment.
Indian fans can catch all the action from The Hundred 2025 through multiple platforms:
The Hundred League has carved a unique identity in the cricketing world, blending innovation with tradition. As the 2025 season kicks off, fans can expect thrilling contests, breakout performances, and strategic masterstrokes. With global stars, rising talents, and passionate crowds, The Hundred continues to redefine how cricket is played and consumed.