The Lucknow Super Giants and Zaheer Khan are on the discussion table facing each other regarding the mentor role in the Lucknow-based IPL franchise. Zaheer is expected to fill the vacant position on LSG’s backroom staff since 2023 after Gambhir’s departure if the current negotiations are successful.
The Super Giants haven’t had a mentor since Gautam Gambhir moved to Kolkata in 2023; plus Morne Morkel’s exit has left a new gap. Coincidentally, Morkel, who coached the team’s bowling for three seasons, and Gambhir have both already joined the Indian national squad.
IPL insiders claim that Zaheer is being considered for the role that Gambhir held and that his experience might be useful to the Lucknow Super Giants’ bowlers. Additionally, as a go-between for players and the franchise’s management—whose owner is renowned for having a strong enthusiasm for the game—he will play a crucial role.
Under Gambhir’s new system in Team India, Zaheer was originally considered as a possible bowling coach, primarily to coach the young and developing pacers in and around the team—a role for which he is highly valued. But eventually, BCCI chose Morkel to coach young Indian fast bowlers. Zaheer has a massive reputation for coaching and teaching young fast bowlers, even in his playing days for India.
Zaheer Khan’s possible participation with the Indian team never happened because Morkel was recommended by Gambhir to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who gave the job to him. Nonetheless, the former India bowler, who previously worked with the Mumbai Indians, has a wealth of IPL coaching expertise.
For the Lucknow Super Giants, Zaheer will collaborate with head coach Justin Langer and a strong coaching staff that comprises, among others, Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes. Apart from Zaheer, there are rumors about another well-known coach joining the Sanjiv Goenka-owned IPL franchisee; however, the specifics remain unclear.
Zaheer has played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is for India, as well as 100 IPL games for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians. He last played in the IPL in the 2017 season.
Lucknow is the most expensive city-based franchise in IPL, and Sanjiv Goenka is the person who bought the costliest franchise in IPL. Mr. Goenka purchased LSG for more than a billion dollars (about Rs. 7090 crores at the time of the transaction) in 2022. After making its IPL debut in 2022, the LSG finished in the top four during its first two seasons, but last year’s lower net run rate prevented them from making the playoffs (NRR).
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