Delhi Capitals Owners With Team. Image Credits: X
Southern Brave, under the new ownership of GMR Group, is set to undergo serious leadership changes ahead of The Hundred’s upcoming edition. The Braves have appointed DC’s head coach Hemang Badani as their new men’s head coach and Jonathan Batty as the women’s coach.
GMR Group, which jointly owns the Delhi Capitals franchise in the IPL, bought significant stakes in the Southern Brave franchise last year to gain ownership of the team.
Now, ahead of the new season, the management is reportedly planning a complete overhaul of the coaching staff across the women’s and men’s tournaments.
Also Read - ECB To Punish IPL-Owned Hundred Teams For Pakistan Snub? Letter Makes Huge Claim
Hemang Badani to lead Delhi Capitals’ The Hundred franchise
As reported by ESPN Cricinfo, Hemang Badani, the current head coach of Delhi Capitals in IPL, is set to replace Adi Birrell as the Southern Brave men’s team’s head coach for the upcoming The Hundred season.
Badani, who joined DC in 2025, has worked with other GMR-owned teams in Major League Cricket and ILT20. Now, he is set to extend his services to The Hundred tournament as well.
This latest change suggests that IPL-owned franchises are more inclined towards having Indian coaches.
In this case, GMR are aligning their global cricket investments by linking IPL, WPL, MLC, ILT20, and now The Hundred under a connected coaching and management structure.
Jonathan Batty to coach Braves’ women’s team
Apart from the men’s team, Southern Brave will also have a new coach for the women’s team. Jonathan Batty, who coaches Delhi Capitals women in the WPL, is set to replace Luke Williams as head coach of the women’s team.
Batty previously coached Oval Invincibles women and won back-to-back Hundred titles in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
In WPL, the Delhi Capitals women reached four straight finals under Batty’s leadership, though they failed to win a single title. Yet, Jonathan Batty is extending his working relationship with the GMR Group into The Hundred.
It’s also important to note that several Southern Brave players, including Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues, have already worked under Batty in the WPL. Hence, that continuity could be a strategic advantage.
The Hundred 2026 to begin in July
Meanwhile, the upcoming edition of The Hundred will begin on July 21, with both women’s and men’s matches being held on the same day at the same venue.
The tournament will run until August 16, with 8 teams competing in a round robin format. The 100-ball format will be retained, and only the top 3 teams will advance into the knockout stages.
For the men's league, Oval Invincibles will be the defending champions, as they won their third straight title last year. Northern Superchargers, meanwhile, will be defending champions in the women’s league after they won their maiden title in 2025.
With new ownership, The Hundred is entering a new era of commercialisation. From increased player salaries to IPL franchise integration to private equity involvement, The Hundred is no longer just a league but a part of the global franchise cricket network.
Also Read - Indian Cricket Team Does This For The 1st Ever Time In The Dressing Room After Zimbabwe Win
