Ahmedabad, May 15 (IANS) Adani Sportsline has named veteran Australian cricket strategist Simon Helmot as head coach of Gulf Giants ahead of the upcoming season of the UAE ILT20.

Helmot brings more than two decades of experience across domestic, international and franchise cricket, including assignments in some of the world’s leading T20 leagues. He has been associated with the Hyderabad side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2013 and has contributed to multiple title-winning campaigns across leading T20 tournaments in Australia, the Caribbean and the UAE.

Over the years, he has earned a strong reputation for building high-performance team environments and maximising player potential in pressure situations. Prior to this appointment, Helmot completed a five-season tenure with the Melbourne Renegades, leading the team to its maiden Women’s Big Bash League title in 2024.

Speaking on his appointment, Helmot said, “I’m excited to join Gulf Giants and be part of the next phase of the franchise’s journey in the UAE ILT20. My discussions with Mr Pranav Adani reflected Adani Sportsline’s long-term commitment towards building strong sporting ecosystems, nurturing talent and creating competitive teams. I look forward to working closely with the players and support staff as we build towards a successful season.”

As part of his onboarding with Gulf Giants, Helmot recently met Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), in Ahmedabad to discuss the long-term vision for Gulf Giants and the franchise’s preparations for the upcoming ILT20 season.

Pranav Adani said, “We are pleased to welcome Simon to Gulf Giants and the Adani Sportsline family. Simon brings deep experience across global franchise cricket, a strong understanding of the T20 ecosystem and a proven ability to build competitive, high-performing teams. His leadership approach and focus on player development align closely with our long-term vision for Gulf Giants, and we look forward to the upcoming season under his guidance.”

Gulf Giants also thanked former head coach Jonathan Trott for his leadership and contribution during the previous season and wished him continued success for the future.

–IANS

bc/