The London Spirit brand has moved into a new era following a group of Silicon Valley's most respected tech leaders, known as Cricket Investor Holdings Limited affectionately as the Tech Titans, purchasing a 49% stake for £144 million (approximately $193 million) earlier this year. Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks and leader of the consortium, is also on the board of London Spirit. The team of high-profile investor-CEOs consists of the likes of Adobe, Google, and YouTube CEOs, who are convinced that the Hundred can be a global, billion-dollar cricket product, equivalent to the IPL. Arora said: “The IPL started from nowhere and became a multi-billion-dollar product. Why couldn’t this be that product?" The consortium faced competition from Indian billionaire Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG Group before sealing the deal. Around 15 members of the group were present at Lord’s during the Hundred’s opening match, where Spirit’s women’s team won, but the men’s side was bowled out for 80. The new owners had lunch with Kane Williamson and coach Justin Langer prior to the game, and later had dinner at Lord's. Satyan Gajwani, vice-chairman of Times Internet and co-founder of Major League Cricket, pointed out the importance: "Not even the World Economic Forum could bring them all together." Also Read | ECB Drops 'H' Logo Balls After Player Complaints in The Hundred New Era for London Spirit The MCC, who retain 51%, will join the consortium in a joint venture from October 1. MCC Chair Mark Nicholas has already spoken of a major relaunch of the team, with new sponsors and kits, perhaps even MCC's iconic egg-and-bacon colours. The Tech Titans will control three of seven board seats, with Arora, Gajwani, and Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban representing them. The remaining seats will be occupied by MCC representatives such as former England captain Eoin Morgan, who will serve as the new cricket chair. Even as minority partners, Arora promised that they would be deferential to MCC's cricket acumen: "They are 51% shareholders. We let them take the lead… We bring passion, and knowledge and experience." Also Read | Fox Interrupts Play at Lord’s, Crowd Erupts in Cheers Vision for the Hundred's Global Growth Arora and Gajwani feel that each of the eight new owners of franchises brings rich experience to extend the Hundred to the world. Arora stated: "If that energy, that passion, that creativity, that innovation is brought to this, imagine what they could do?" Gajwani added to it as well: "Bringing in stakeholders beyond governing bodies has almost always improved products." He expects the Hundred to stay UK-centric but has international scope for potential. ECB Chair Richard Thompson just hinted that it's a matter of time before Indian players become a part of the Hundred, which can exponentially increase global viewership and broadcasting value. Adding that the commercial issues make it complex, Gajwani said: "There are a number of players in India that are super excited about the idea of playing out here." Though concentrating on the shorter version, both Arora and Gajwani are die-hard cricket lovers who watch Test matches as well. Gajwani was full of praise for the thrill of the last Tests: "The last month has shown how much frickin’ energy there can be behind Tests." Arora repeated that their passion for cricket is childhood-based: "Part of it is just being able to associate with your idols... We still watch cricket in California at 3am or 4am. This is our sport."