Ahmedabad : Adani Sportsline has appointed veteran Australian cricket strategist Simon Helmot as Head Coach of Gulf Giants ahead of the upcoming season of the International League T20. Helmot brings over two decades of coaching experience across domestic, international and franchise cricket, including assignments in some of the world’s biggest T20 leagues. He has been associated with the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League since 2013 and has contributed to several title-winning campaigns across Australia, the Caribbean and the UAE.
Widely regarded for creating high-performance team environments and developing players in high-pressure situations, Helmot most recently completed a successful five-season stint with Melbourne Renegades, guiding the side to its maiden Women’s Big Bash League title in 2024. As part of his onboarding process with Gulf Giants, Helmot recently met Pranav Adani in Ahmedabad to discuss the franchise’s long-term roadmap and preparations for the upcoming ILT20 season.
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.”
Pranav Adani added: “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.”
Since its launch in 2023, the UAE ILT20 has rapidly emerged as one of the leading franchise T20 leagues globally, attracting top international players, coaches and cricketing talent. Gulf Giants also thanked former Head Coach Jonathan Trott for his contribution and leadership during the previous season and wished him success for the future.