Hemang Badani Named Head Coach of Southern Brave for 2026
In an exciting development for cricket fans, Hemang Badani, who is currently the head coach of Delhi Capitals, has been appointed as the men’s head coach for Southern Brave for The Hundred 2026 season. Badani will take over from Adi Birrell and will be joined by former England player Ian Bell, who will serve as the assistant coach.
This coaching duo has already worked together at Delhi Capitals, where Bell recently stepped in as Badani’s deputy before the 2026 Indian Premier League season.
The partnership reflects a growing trend where franchises from the Indian Premier League (IPL) are making waves in international leagues. Southern Brave has the GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, holding a significant 49% stake in the Hundred franchise.
Badani has a strong coaching background after his playing career, having led Chepauk Super Gillies to multiple championships in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. He’s also gained valuable experience with teams like Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket and Dubai Capitals in the International League T20.
In 2025, Badani took the helm at Delhi Capitals, succeeding Ricky Ponting. Now, he aims to revitalize Southern Brave’s performance after they struggled last season. The team, which won the first men’s Hundred title in 2021 and was a runner-up in 2024, hopes to regain its competitive edge in the upcoming season.
The Hundred is set to kick off on July 21, with Southern Brave playing their first match against Welsh Fire on July 22 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. For Badani, this new role is a chance to further his impact in global franchise cricket while managing responsibilities for both teams.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season approaches!
