Andy Flower [Source: AFP]The Gulf Giants franchise has roped in Simon Helmot as their new head coach for the upcoming ILT20 2026 season. Helmot is currently in India as part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coaching staff for IPL 2026. The Australian coach is serving the ‘Orange Army’ as its assistant coach. He recently met with Gulf Giants owners in Ahmedabad, around the time when the SRH franchise faced Gujarat Titans at the latter’s home ground at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 12. BBL, IPL coach joins Gulf Giants for ILT20 2026 Simon Helmot has been appointed as the head coach of the Gulf Giants franchise for the upcoming ILT20 2026 season. The Australian coach will be replacing former England international Jonathan Trott, who served the team as its head coach last year after a single season in charge. Prior to Trott, the Gulf Giants group was helmed by active RCB coach Andy Flower. Under his guidance, the Giants franchise even lifted the inaugural ILT20 title back in February 2023. Also Read- BCCI Punishes RCB Kingmaker For Major IPL Code Of Conduct ViolationIt is worth noting that Simon Helmot will be joining the Gulf Giants just a month after stepping down from his Melbourne Renegades role. Serving as head coach of the Renegades Women’s team in WBBL in Australia, the 54-year-old still had two years remaining in his contract. Simon Helmot met with Giants owner amid IPL 2026 Earlier this month, Simon Helmot met with Gulf Giants owner Pranav Adani. Their meeting took place in Ahmedabad, when the SRH franchise had travelled to Gujarat to take on Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Issuing an official statement, Helmot said “My discussions with Mr. Pranav Adani reflected long-term commitment towards building strong sporting ecosystems, nurturing talent and creating competitive teams.” SRH coach joins Giants family Simon Helmot has now effectively joined the Giants family through his impending Gulf Giants coaching stint. It is worth noting that Gulf Giants is a team owned by the sports arm of Indian business conglomerate, the Adani Group. The business conglomerate also owns India’s Gujarat Giants Women’s team in the Women’s Premier League, and the Gujarat Titans kabaddi team in PKL. ILT20 2026 to be played in November and December The fifth edition of the ILT20 will be played later this year in the UAE. As per the official dates unveiled by the Emirates Cricket Board, the ILT20 2026 season will be organized between November 22 and December 20. Since winning the inaugural edition back in 2023, the Gulf Giants franchise has yet to replicate its success in the subsequent three editions of the tournament. Even in ILT20 2025-26, the franchise finished fifth on the points table, managing just three wins from 10 matches. Simon Helmot’s IPL team favorites to reach playoffs Simon Helmot is currently in India serving as SRH’s assistant coach under Daniel Vettori this IPL 2026 season. As of now, the franchise is one of the leading contenders to make it to the season’s playoff race. Under the leadership of Ishan Kishan and Pat Cummins, the team has already secured seven wins from 12 matches. Also Read- Abhishek Sharma In, Suryakumar Yadav Out- India T20 Squad vs Ireland, England Predicted
