Southern Brave name Hemang Badani men's head coach for The Hundred 2026
Synopsis
Southern Brave have gone global for their 2026 Hundred coaching setup — appointing IPL-tested Hemang Badani as men's head coach and death-bowling specialist Mohit Sharma as assistant bowling coach, alongside England's Ian Bell and Scotland's Shane Burger. It is a signal that franchise cricket's coaching pipeline now flows as freely as its player market.
Key Takeaways
Hemang Badani , former India international and Delhi Capitals IPL coach, named men's head coach of Southern Brave for The Hundred 2026 .
Former England batter Ian Bell joins as men's assistant coach; former Scotland head coach Shane Burger leads the bowling programme.
Former India international Mohit Sharma , a death-bowling specialist, appointed as assistant bowling coach.
Former Ireland international John Mooney takes the men's fielding coach role.
Women's team led by Jonathan Batty , with Anya Shrubsole , Tharindu Perera , and Jenny Gunn completing the backroom staff.
Southern Brave won the men's title in 2021 and the women's crown in 2023 .
Southampton-based Southern Brave have appointed former India international Hemang Badani as head coach of their men's team for the 2026 season of The Hundred, the franchise confirmed. Badani, who most recently coached the Delhi Capitals in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), joins a side that claimed the men's title in 2021 and the women's crown in 2023.
Men's Coaching Setup
Badani will be joined by former England batting stalwart Ian Bell as assistant coach, according to local media reports. The pair bring a blend of subcontinental tactical nous and English conditions expertise to the dugout.
The men's bowling programme will be overseen by former Scotland men's head coach Shane Burger, who carries extensive coaching credentials from stints with KZN Inland and the Dolphins in South Africa before leading Scotland. Burger is currently attached to Hampshire Cricket.
Burger will be assisted by former India international Mohit Sharma, widely regarded as a death-bowling specialist during his IPL career. Sharma represented India across all three formats and adds franchise-level expertise to the bowling unit.
Former Ireland international John Mooney rounds out the men's backroom staff as fielding coach, tasked with maintaining high standards across the squad's fielding across all areas of the game.
Women's Coaching Structure
The women's team will be led by Jonathan Batty, with former England seamer Anya Shrubsole serving as assistant coach. Tharindu Perera will head the batting programme, bringing experience from roles with the Sri Lanka women's team, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Adelaide Strikers, and South Australia's West End Redbacks.
Former England international Jenny Gunn completes the women's setup as fielding coach. Gunn, who has played in The Hundred herself, will focus on developing decision-making, athleticism, and fielding standards within the squad, according to reports.
What the Appointments Signal
The combined coaching roster spans international, domestic, and franchise cricket across India, England, South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, and Sri Lanka. This breadth of experience reflects Southern Brave's intent to build a competitive structure ahead of the 2026 Hundred season. Notably, the appointment of two former India internationals — Badani and Sharma — underscores the growing influence of IPL-trained coaching talent in global franchise cricket. Preparations for the 2026 edition are now firmly under way.
Point of View
Not just players. Southern Brave are betting that subcontinental death-bowling and T20 tactical thinking translate to The Hundred's unique format. Whether that cross-pollination works — or whether local conditions knowledge proves the decisive variable — will be one of the more interesting subplots of the 2026 season. The breadth of the roster, spanning six countries, also raises a legitimate question about coaching cohesion when the tournament window is short and margins are thin.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hemang Badani and why has he been appointed by Southern Brave?
Hemang Badani is a former India international cricketer who most recently served as head coach of the Delhi Capitals in the 2026 IPL. Southern Brave have appointed him as men's head coach for The Hundred 2026, citing his blend of international playing experience and franchise coaching credentials.
What is Mohit Sharma's role at Southern Brave for The Hundred 2026?
Mohit Sharma has been named assistant bowling coach under Shane Burger, who leads the men's bowling programme. Sharma is regarded as a death-bowling specialist from his IPL career and represented India across all three formats.
Who else is part of Southern Brave's men's coaching team for 2026?
The men's coaching staff includes Ian Bell as assistant coach, Shane Burger as bowling coach, Mohit Sharma as assistant bowling coach, and John Mooney as fielding coach, alongside head coach Hemang Badani.
Who will coach the Southern Brave women's team in The Hundred 2026?
Jonathan Batty will lead the women's coaching team, supported by Anya Shrubsole as assistant coach, Tharindu Perera overseeing the batting programme, and Jenny Gunn as fielding coach.
What titles have Southern Brave won in The Hundred?
Southern Brave won the men's title in 2021 and the women's crown in 2023, making them one of the more successful franchises in the competition's short history.
