Zaheer will replace Gautam in IPL 2025 franchise
If LSG signs Zaheer Khan, the former Indian pacer could play the role of both mentor and bowling coach in the next IPL season. According to a media report, former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has been approached by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a dual role in the coaching unit.
LSG, which has made it to the playoffs twice in its three years in the IPL, has been without a mentor ever since Gautam Gambhir left the franchise to rejoin his old team Kolkata Knight Riders for the same role in 2024, followed by joining the Indian men’s cricket team as head coach.
The franchise also lost bowling coach Morne Morkel after the end of the 2024 season, with the former South African pacer set to join Gambhir’s support staff in the Indian team for the same role.
Former Indian fast bowler can play the role of both mentor and bowling coach
If LSG seals the deal with Zaheer Khan , the former Indian fast bowler can play the role of both mentor and bowling coach in the next IPL season. The report further states, “He will be an important intermediary, but also a mediator for the players and the management of the franchise.
So Zaheer can work with people like head coach Justin Langer, Adam Voges, Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes in the coaching unit. Zaheer was earlier in the race to become the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team, before which Gambhir had requested the BCCI to include Morkel for this role, before which he worked with him in LSG in 2022 and 2023.
For the 2011 World Cup winner, who represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is and also played 100 IPL matches, this will be his second coaching stint in the league, having previously worked with the Mumbai Indians.
IPL retention rules to be announced soon
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the retention rules for the upcoming mega auction for the IPL 2025 season by the end of August. The website had earlier reported that all 10 franchises will be allowed six retentions with the RTM option.
Zaheer Khan was also seen as a potential contender to be named as India’s bowling coach under Gambhir to coach the young and emerging pacers. However, that could not happen and eventually the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named Morkel as the coach.
Zaheer Khan has played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India. He has also featured in 100 IPL games for Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Mumbai Indians.
Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is reportedly in discussions with Lucknow Super Giants to take up the role of team mentor. If successful, Zaheer could fill the void left by the departure of two key players of the IPL franchise, Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel.
Bowling coach for LSG for three seasons
Gambhir leaves for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, and Morkel, who served as bowling coach for LSG for three seasons, is set to join the Indian national team setup. Zaheer Khan’s name has come up not only for the mentor role but also to help guide the Super Giants’ bowlers. Known for his expertise, Zaheer was previously considered for the position of bowling coach under Gambhir’s new setup for Team India.
LSG’s strong coaching setup
If the deal with Zaheer goes through, he will work with head coach Justin Langer and an impressive coaching team that includes Adam Voges, Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes. After missing out on the playoffs last season, Lucknow Super Giants could benefit greatly from Zaheer’s leadership as they prepare for another competitive IPL season.
Conclusion
Indian Premier League’s Lucknow Super Giants team is in talks with former India pacer Zaheer Khan for the role of mentor. The IPL franchise has been without a mentor since Gautam Gambhir moved to Kolkata Knight Riders. Bowling coach Morne Morkel has also left the team to take up the role of the Indian cricket team.
If the talks go positive, the 45-year-old Zaheer will fill the void left by Gambhir and Morkel. IPL sources say that Zaheer is being considered for Gambhir’s role and he can also lend his expertise to the Lucknow Super Giants bowlers. He will be a key intermediary, but also mediator, for the players and the management of the franchise, whose owner is known to be very passionate about the game.
