Southern Brave appoint Hemang Badani as head coach

Southern Brave have appointed Hemang Badani as head coach of the men’s team for the upcoming Hundred season. The Delhi Capitals coach will be deputised by England legend Ian Bell, who was also appointed assistant coach of the Delhi franchise for the 2026 IPL.

Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group hold a 49% stake in Southern Brave, following a bid from the ECB to allow foreign investment into their premier franchise competition. GMR also have full control of the Hampshire County Cricket Club, sealing a 120 million euro deal in 2024.

Badani was appointed coach of the Delhi Capitals for the 2025 season. The team started strong before a late drop in form meant they would go on miss out on the playoffs. Badani has also coached other GMR-owned teams - the Seattle Orcas in the MLC and Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.

Alongside Badani, Bell brings domestic-experience and know-how, with coaching gigs with England and England Lions. He was appointed Sri Lanka’s batting coach for the 2024 Test series in England. He was involved with the New Zealand Cricket Team on their tour to England before the 2023 Cricket World Cup and has experience in the Hundred as assistant coach of the Birmingham Phoenix.

Southern Brave were inaugural winners of the Men’s Hundred in 2021 and finished runners up in 2024, but poor form last year meant they were unable to make a substantial mark.