ILT20 2025: Jonathan Trott, Shane Bond bolster Gulf Giants’ coaching unit ahead of 4th season

Before the league’s first auction, Gulf Giants unveiled a strong new coaching staff for the fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20). The updated setup indicates a title push.

Jonathan Trott, one of England’s best batters, becomes head coach. Since coaching, Trott has led Afghanistan to a historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final and an inspired ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 run. He scored 3,835 runs in 52 Tests and 2,819 in 68 ODIs at 51, including four centuries and 22 fifties.

New Zealand speedster Shane Bond is his bowling coach.

Bond, who played 120 internationals with 259 wickets, has coached for New Zealand and T20 franchises in the IPL and UAE ILT20 for almost a decade.

After working with Afghanistan, South Africa, and Pakistan, Andrew Puttick, who scored nearly 17,000 first-class runs, will be Batting Coach. Former England cricketer Jamie Troughton will lead fielding, while Nick Lee, a fitness consultant with experience in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, will coach Trott.

Gulf Giants’ coaching overhaul shows the team’s commitment to talent development and growth. Young UAE all-rounder Aayan Khan and Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani are notable successes.

“The Gulf Giants have quickly become one of the ILT20’s most successful teams. My goal is to empower players to excel and help shape a championship-winning squad through the first-ever ILT20 Auction,” Trott said, expressing delight at joining the Gulf Giants as the new Head Coach.

Bond echoed Trott, saying, “The team’s ambition is clear. I’m excited to sharpen our bowling attack and make a decisive impact this season.”

“It’s an honour to work in a setup that values player development. I’m eager to contribute to our collective success,” said Puttick.

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline: “We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of cricketing minds. Their experience and shared values will be pivotal in taking the Gulf Giants to new heights.”