Zaheer Khan, the former Indian pace legend, is in advanced discussions with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to take on a mentorship role within the franchise. LSG, who are seeking to bolster their coaching setup after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, are keen on securing the expertise of a seasoned T20 cricket professional like Zaheer.
Zaheer, who has held several significant roles in the Indian Premier League (IPL), most notably with Mumbai Indians (MI), where he served as the Director of Cricket Operations from 2018 to 2022, and more recently as the Head of Global Development, is highly sought after. Reports suggest that two other IPL franchises have also expressed interest in bringing Zaheer on board.
The Lucknow franchise, which has been without a mentor since Gambhir’s exit last year, sees Zaheer as a perfect fit to fill that void. Gambhir, who was pivotal in LSG’s backroom staff and helped guide the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, has since taken over as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Morne Morkel, LSG’s former bowling coach, has also joined Gambhir in the national setup in a similar role.
In addition to mentoring, LSG aims to offer Zaheer a broader role, involving him in off-season scouting and player development programs. This extended responsibility is part of LSG’s strategy to ensure sustained success by nurturing young talent and building a strong team foundation.
Currently, LSG’s coaching staff is led by Justin Langer, who took over as head coach from Andy Flower before IPL 2024. He is supported by assistants Lance Klusener and Adam Voges. Despite a strong start in their initial IPL seasons, where they reached the playoffs, LSG narrowly missed out on the top four in 2024 due to net run rate.
Zaheer’s potential return to the IPL fold comes at a critical time as teams gear up for a mega auction. The IPL is expected to announce retention rules by early September, making the next few weeks crucial for team strategies.
Zaheer, during his playing career, was a part of three IPL franchises: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils. Across his IPL tenure, he played 100 matches, claiming 102 wickets with an economy rate of 7.59. His last appearance in the tournament was in 2017, when he captained Delhi Daredevils.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings are also in the market for an Indian head coach to replace Trevor Bayliss. Although they were initially interested in VVS Laxman, his continued role as the head of the BCCI‘s National Cricket Academy has taken him out of the running. Sanjay Bangar, currently with Punjab Kings as head of cricket development, is one of the key figures in their setup.
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