Meet The Gulf Giants Coaching Dream Team Ahead Of Fans
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Jonathan Trott takes charge as Head Coach, joined by Shane Bond (Bowling Coach), Andrew Puttick (Batting Coach), Jamie Troughton (Fielding Coach) and Nick Lee (Strength & Conditioning Coach).
Dubai, 25 August 2025 – With the fourth season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) on the horizon, Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants have announced a formidable new coaching team ahead of the league’s first-ever auction. The refreshed setup signals a renewed push for the title.
Jonathan Trott steps in as Head Coach, bringing with him an impressive record as one of England’s most technically sound batters. Since moving into coaching, Trott has guided Afghanistan to a historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final and an inspired run at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. As a player, he scored 3,835 runs in 52 Tests and 2,819 runs in 68 ODIs at an average of 51, with four centuries and 22 fifties.
Joining him is New Zealand pace great Shane Bond as Bowling Coach. A veteran of 120 internationals with 259 wickets, Bond’s coaching career spans over a decade, including national duties with New Zealand and T20 franchise roles across IPL and the UAE ILT20.
South Africa’s Andrew Puttick, who amassed nearly 17,000 first-class runs, will serve as Batting Coach, having previously worked with Afghanistan, South Africa, and Pakistan. Jamie Troughton, a former England cricketer, will lead fielding efforts, while seasoned fitness professional Nick Lee, with experience at Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, returns to partner Trott as Strength & Conditioning Coach.
The Gulf Giants’ coaching revamp reflects Adani Sportsline’s focus on nurturing talent and creating a growth-driven environment. Young UAE all-rounder Aayan Khan and Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani are among its notable success stories.
Expressing delight at joining the Gulf Giants as the new Head Coach, Trott said, “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.” Bond echoed Trott. “The team’s ambition is clear. I’m excited to sharpen our bowling attack and make a decisive impact this season.”
Puttick said, “It’s an honour to work in a setup that values player development. I’m eager to contribute to our collective success.”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.”
Adani Sportsline is the sports arm of the diversified Adani Group, which has a presence in ports, logistics, energy, utility, infrastructure, electric power generation and transmission, mining, airport operations, natural gas, and food processing.
Formed in 2019, Adani Sportsline has an overarching philosophy to inculcate a culture of sports at the grassroots level and create globally competitive opportunities for future champions in India. In line with the group’s vision of nation-building, the company aims to build a world-class ecosystem that nurtures sporting talent, accelerates the sports economy and plays the role of an enabler in India’s journey to become a leading sporting nation.
This will be the first time ILT20 holds an auction in 2025. Teams will use it to build strong squads before the tournament starts.
Jonathan Trott takes charge as Head Coach …
He joined the Giants in August 2025. He was previously the Afghanistan coach and led them in the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024. He also helped Afghanistan beat big teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup. He helped the team grow fast and win respect
Jonathan Trott steps in … 3,835 runs in Tests …
Trott was a top England batter known for his high average. He scored test hundreds early on, including on his debut, and won the ECB’s Cricketer of the Year in 2011.
Joining him is New Zealand pace great Shane Bond …
Bond played over 120 internationals and took 259 wickets. He coached the Mumbai Indians and won four IPL titles. He also led MI Emirates in ILT20’s first season
South Africa’s Andrew Puttick … nearly 17,000 first-class runs …
Puttick played over 10,900 first-class runs, with best scores like 250 not out. He coached South African women in the 2023 T20 World Cup, then Pakistan, and now works with Afghanistan since early 2024.
Jamie Troughton … experienced …
Though not much recent information was found, his background as an England player means he brings solid fielding skills and smart game sense from high-level cricket.
Nick Lee … fitness pro …
He has helped players in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan to stay fit, recover quicker, and avoid injuries. That helps players stay in good shape for long tournaments.
The Gulf Giants’ coaching revamp reflects … Aayan Khan and Blessing Muzarabani …
Aayan Khan is a young UAE talent who got chances because the Giants nurture local players. Blessing Muzarabani is a fast bowler from Zimbabwe who has done well in ILT20
Expressing delight … through the first-ever ILT20 Auction.”
The coach is using the auction to pick new players with potential. It gives players a fresh chance to join strong teams.
Bond echoed Trott … make a decisive impact this season.”
Bond’s experience in big tournaments like IPL will help the bowlers perform under pressure and win matches.
Puttick said … our collective success.”
He values the team’s focus on helping players grow. Teamwork can build trust and strong performances.
Sanjay Adesara … shared values … new heights.”
Management believes these coaches share their goal of winning and helping players become their best.
Adani Sportsline is the sports arm …
Adani Sportsline started in 2019. It works to grow sports in India from the bottom up. It invests in fields, training centres, and supports young players to become world-class. It matches the Adani group’s nation-building mission.
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