As the fourth edition of the ILT20 2025 is soon to kick off, the Gulf Giants have named a strong coaching staff ahead of the auction for the maiden ILT20 season. Get ready to press for the title again with the new formation.
The returnee is head coach Jonathan Trott – who arrives not only boasting one of the best techniques of any England batter from recent years, but one of the best career records too. Ornamental: In Trott’s time as a coach, Afghanistan reached a World Cup 2024 last four and set the 2023 Cricket World Cup alight.
As a player, he also made 3,835 runs in 52 Test matches and 2,819 runs in 68 one-day internationals at an average of 51, with four centuries and 22 fifties.
New Zealand pace star Shane Bond will join him as bowling coach. The 120-international veteran had taken 259 wickets and has 11 years of coaching under his belt, including at national level with New Zealand and in T20 franchise cricket in the IPL and the UAE ILT20.
South Africa’s Andrew Puttick, who has scored almost 17,000 first-class runs, will be the batting consultant after stints with Afghanistan, South Africa and Pakistan. Ex-England cricketer Jamie Troughton will take control of the fielding, while battle-hardened S&C coach Nick Lee, who has worked with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, joins Trott as Strength & Conditioning Coach.
The coaching revamp for the Gulf Giants is a clear indication that the owners — Adani Sportsline — are focused on developing talent and providing a growth-oriented environment. UAE all-rounder Aayan Khan and Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani are its recognizable by-products.
Trott is excited to become the new head coach of the Gulf Giants “The Gulf Giants have swiftly become one of the IiRT20’s most successful teams and have a very exciting captain in Colin Munro. I aim to cast players in a new light that empowers their drive to perform and contribute in making a team a champion, drawing inspiration from the first-ever ILT20 Auction.
Bond echoed Trott. “The team’s ambition is clear. I’m looking forward to adding to our bowling unit this season and contributing in a meaningful way.”
Puttick said, “The set-up here is also an honour as we value player development. I look forward to making new contributions to our mutual success.”
Highlights
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline: “We are excited to onboard this amazing set of cricketing brains. Their knowledge and shared values will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the Gulf Giants.”