Trott joins ILT20's Gulf Giants after being replaced by Ganguly in SA20

ILT20’s fourth season will run from December 2 to January 4, 2026

Last updated: August 25, 2025 | 15:34

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott has created history after guiding the Asian team to historic first semi-finals in World Cup.

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Dubai: Former England batter Jonathan Trott has taken over as head coach of the Gulf Giants for the upcoming ILT20 season, replacing Andy Flower. This move comes just a day after Trott was replaced by former India captain Sourav Ganguly as head coach of SA20 franchise Pretoria Capitals.

Joining Trott in the Gulf Giants' revamped coaching setup is former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond, who steps in as bowling coach, succeeding Ottis Gibson. Bond brings a wealth of T20 experience, having previously worked with IPL franchises Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, as well as SA20 side Paarl Royals.

Trott, who also coached the Afghanistan national team, had a disappointing stint with the Capitals last season, with the team finishing second from bottom in the group stage. Less than 24 hours after his departure was confirmed, Trott announced his new chapter with the Gulf Giants. "The Gulf Giants have quickly established themselves as one of the ILT20’s top sides. My goal is to empower players to excel and help build a championship-winning squad through the league's first-ever auction," said Trott in a statement.

The inaugural ILT20 auction is set for September 30 in Dubai, ahead of the tournament’s fourth season, which will run from December 2 to January 4, 2026.

Bond, too, expressed his excitement about the new challenge. "The team’s ambition is clear. I’m looking forward to sharpening our bowling unit and making a strong impact this season," he said.

The Gulf Giants have also brought in Andrew Puttick as batting coach, Jim Troughton as fielding coach, and Nick Lee as fitness coach, forming a new-look support staff for the upcoming campaign.

On the player front, the Giants have retained James Vince, Aayan Khan, Mark Adair, Blessing Muzarabani, and Gerhard Erasmus. New signings include Moeen Ali, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

The Giants won the inaugural ILT20 title in 2023, reached Qualifier 2 in 2024, but endured a rough 2025 season, finishing second from the bottom.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

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