Jamie Overton ready to spearhead Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants in ILT20 Season 2
In anticipation of the upcoming International League T20 (ILT20) Season 2, all eyes are on the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants, and at the forefront of this cricketing saga stands the English all-rounder, Jamie Overton. Set to commence on January 19, the defending champions are geared up for a riveting clash against the Sharjah Warriors in their pursuit of retaining the coveted ILT20 trophy. In a recent chat with the media, Overton shared his thoughts on the challenges of defending a title and highlighted the importance of sticking to the basics. “The pressure is always there in whatever tournament you’re playing because you’re expected to win all the time. You have to deal with this pressure. Normally, the teams that win such competitions are the teams that do the basics very well. That means hitting the top of the off stump and nailing your skills as a bowler,” said Overton, emphasizing the team’s focus on getting the fundamentals right. One exciting aspect for Overton is the opportunity to work with younger talents, especially players from the UAE. He praised local talents like Sanchit Sharma and Aayan Khan, expressing hope to see them in big leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) soon. Overton credited the Adani Group for supporting the team and acknowledged coach Andy Flower as one of the best in the world. Although he missed Season 1 due to injury, Overton used the time wisely to improve his fitness. “It was like a tough first couple of months. I didn’t do anything for two months as I was trying to get over the injury, get my head space in a good place so that when I came back, I would be ready to go. When I did come back, I played in the T20 Blast as a batter just to try and prolong the season,” he shared. Now, fully recovered, Overton is eager to make an impact in ILT20 Season 2. Discussing his role, Overton highlighted his focus on improving his bowling skills with the white ball. He mentioned working on deliveries like Yorkers and slower ones to offer more options to the team. With the bat, he stressed the importance of making smart decisions and targeting specific bowlers strategically. As the Gulf Giants gear up for ILT20 Season 2, Overton is confident in his abilities and believes the team is in a good place. “We’re in a good place and everyone feels like they’re ready to go for season 2 of the ILT20 and hopefully try to win the trophy back,” he said. These words reflect not only Overton’s confidence but also the team’s collective readiness for the upcoming challenges. Looking ahead, ILT20 Season 2 promises exciting cricket, and Jamie Overton’s journey—from overcoming injury to coming back for a title defense—adds an extra layer of excitement. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the on-field action, the Gulf Giants are poised to make their mark in ILT20 history. It promises to be an unforgettable season filled with thrilling moments and fierce competition. The Sportz Planet Desk
Aim is to retain ILT20 Trophy for Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants, says young star all-rounder Aayan Khan
One of the players to watch out for in the upcoming International League T20 is young bowling all-rounder Aayan Khan, who will turn out for the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants for a second season running. Aayan, who made history in the T20 World Cup 2022 by becoming the youngest player to play at the tournament at the age of just 16, was also a part of the Gulf Giants team that won the trophy the first time around. The youngster is ready to help the Adani Sportsline-owned side retain the ILT20 Trophy. “It feels great to be playing for the Gulf Giants in the second season of the ILT20, especially after winning the first season of the tournament. Having already won the trophy, retaining it is the main objective for season 2 of the mega cricket extravaganza. This team plays like a family. Hence, the first season was a remarkable one. We enjoyed every moment,” he told the media in an interaction. In a squad with multiple international talents, one player whom the spinner is keen on working with is Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman. “One player I am very excited to be playing with is the Afghanistan spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He is a great spinner. I expect to learn a lot from him, especially if he is in form.” At the same time, he also looks forward to sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in Caribbean cricket as well. “There are two players from the West Indies — Dominic Drakes and Carlos Braithwaite — I have played with them in other leagues as well. So, the bond that I have with these players is very good. I have learnt a lot from these players while sharing the dressing room with them. In T20s, they have a very good name and I am excited to be playing another season with them,” shared an excited Aayan. Concluding his conversation, the spinner wants to translate his form in the last few months and take his team to the next level. He also credited the improvement of the UAE side and sees a bright future for the sport in the country. “I want to give my 100% in every match and make a name for myself. This is my aim with both the national team and with the Adani Sportsline owned Gulf Giants. I have been playing very well for the last year and I hope to continue this form heading into season two of the ILT20.” “The future of cricket in the UAE is very bright. The grounds and training facilities have improved massively, and we can see many young players coming out of UAE in the future. Earlier, as you can see we reached the U19 Asia Cup final, which itself is a sign of the bright future of the sport in the country,” he added. The Sportz Planet Desk
