According to PTI, legendary Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan is likely to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as their mentor ahead of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Indian cricketer was previously a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) as the head of global development and prior to that he served as the franchise’s director of cricket from 2018 to 2022.
As a player, Zaheer has featured in 100 IPL games as part of three franchises – MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils across 10 seasons, taking 102 wickets at an economy of 7.59. (IPL 2025: CSK legend MS Dhoni finally answers question on his retirement)
“Zaheer Khan is in talks with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a mentoring role with the franchise keen on bringing in a former India player with plenty of experience in T20 cricket to have a strong presence within their coaching structure following the departure of Gautam Gambhir,” a report in ESPNcricinfo said.
“In addition to the mentor role, LSG is also interested in giving Zaheer a broader profile that would mean participation in scouting and player development programs during the offseason.”
LSG, under Gambhir’s tutelage, had made it to the playoffs twice in 2022 and 2023. The former India opener then left for Kolkata Knight Riders in late 2023 and played a pivotal role in KKR’s IPL win this year. He then took up the role of India’s head coach. (Players like Rishabh Pant have muscle memory and a thirst for victory, says Matthew Hayden ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy)
LSG will also be without Morne Morkel, who was LSG’s bowling coach. The former South Africa player has joined Gambhir’s support team in the Indian men’s team in the same role.
Zaheer, who had retired from all forms of cricket after the 2017 season, is also on the shortlist of two other franchises, who are also interested in signing him ahead of the mega IPL auction, the retention rules for which will be announced in early September.
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Punjab Kings are looking for a replacement for Trevor Bayliss and the franchise is keen on hiring an Indian coach. They are reportedly keen on bringing in VVS Laxman but it is now out of the question as the former India batsman has extended his tenure as the director of the BCCI National Cricket Academy.
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