Former India Test captain Ajinkya Rahane is stepping into a new role as part of the BBC Sport commentary team for The Hundred 2026. This marks a shift for Rahane, who will be lending his voice to the sixth edition of the tournament as the sole Indian representative in BBC Sport's impressive lineup this season.
With his wealth of experience, the seasoned batter will provide valuable insights alongside a host of former and current international cricketers, sharing his deep understanding of the game with fans as The Hundred embarks on an exciting new chapter, complete with fresh team identities and an expanding global audience.
Rahane's move into the commentary box comes after years of proving himself as one of India's sharpest cricket minds. He famously captained India to the historic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia and built a reputation for excelling in overseas conditions. Speaking about his new assignment, Rahane said, “Back in the UK for another summer, but this time with the microphone instead of the bat. Great cricket, wonderful conversations, and there’s something special about spending a summer morning at the grounds here. Looking forward to the rest of the tournament."
Welsh Fire Begin Campaign With Hard-Fought Win Over Southern Brave
Welsh Fire began their 2026 Men's Hundred campaign with a solid six-wicket victory over Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl, successfully chasing down 136 runs with just two balls to spare. Southern Brave set a target of 135/7 from their 100 balls, with David Miller leading the charge, scoring 44 runs off 35 balls, while Thomas Rew contributed a handy 41 from 30 deliveries. The Welsh Fire bowlers did a fantastic job of keeping the runs in check throughout the innings, with Marco Jansen shining with figures of 2/17. Chris Woakes and Sam Cook also bowled tightly on a slow pitch.
In response, captain Phil Salt played a crucial role in the chase, finishing with an unbeaten 47 runs off 37 balls, which earned him the Player of the Match award. Rachin Ravindra added 24 runs off 16 balls, helping to build some momentum for Fire. Southern Brave attempted a late comeback, led by Nikhil Chaudhary's impressive 2/19. However, Asa Tribe's timely boundary and Salt's match-winning six wrapped up Welsh Fire's innings at 138/4 in 98 balls, marking their first-ever win against Southern Brave in The Hundred. After the match, Salt praised the team's disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and composed approach during the nail-biting finish.
