LSG in talk with Zaheer Khan

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are looking for a mentor. The team is reportedly in touch with former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan for the mentor role. 

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of the costliest IPL team, the Lucknow Super Giants. Gambhir served for the LSG in the IPL 2022 and IPL 2023. Before the IPL 2024, the mentor Gambhir moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). At present, Gambhir is the head coach of the Indian men’s national cricket team.

LSG have been without a mentor since the IPL 2024. Meanwhile, LSG currently have no bowling coach after former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel confirmed his joining the Indian men’s national cricket team as the bowling coach. Morkel was the LSG bowling coach for their first three IPL seasons. 

Zaheer Khan can play a dual role for LSG

According to a Cricbuzz report, former Indian left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan can play a dual role for the Lucknow Super Giants. Besides the mentor role, he can also serve the team as a bowling coach. 

While Justin Langer is the head coach of the LSG, the team also has assistant coach Lance Klusener, cricket consultant Adam Voges, and fielding coach Jonty Rhodes. Zaheer will only make this coaching team stronger. Talking about his coaching experience, the former Indian left-arm pacer previously worked with the IPL team Mumbai Indians. 

Zaheer Khan has huge experience

Zaheer Khan served for Team India between 2000 and 2014. He played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is, where the left-arm pacer took 311, 282, and 17 wickets, respectively. Zaheer was one of the Indian star players during their ICC World Cup 2011 trophy-winning campaign. 

From 2008 to 2017, Zaheer played 100 IPL matches, where he managed to pick up 102 wickets. In the IPL, he served for Royal Challengers Bangalore (presently known as Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Delhi Daredevils (presently known as Delhi Capitals), and Mumbai Indians. 

In their first two IPL seasons, the Lucknow Super Giants reached the Eliminator rounds. In the IPL 2024, LSG finished in seventh place as they failed to advance to the playoffs due to a lower net run rate.