New Delhi: Putting an end to speculations, on Wednesday, former India left-arm fast-bowler Zaheer Khan was appointed as a mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a formal event held at the RPSG Group Headquarters in Kolkata. As a mentor, Zaheer will be responsible for guiding and advising the team’s players and coaching staff, drawing from his extensive experience in the sport.
“All your anticipation ends here! The King of reverse swing, Indian legend #ZaheerKhan takes charge as the mentor of @LucknowIPL,” wrote the RPSG Group, owners of the LSG franchise, on their ‘X’ account.
Zaheer, with his wealth of experience, will assume the mentor position at LSG, which was left vacant after Gautam Gambhir’s departure after the IPL 2023. This year, Gambhir later became the Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor, leading them to their third IPL triumph in Chennai. In July, he succeeded Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach.
Zaheer, 45, joined LSG’s coaching team, which includes Justin Langer as head coach and Lance Klusener and Adam Voges as assistant coaches. The team does not yet have a bowling coach, as Morne Morkel quit to join the Indian team, leaving a significant gap in the team’s coaching staff.
Zaheer played 100 matches for the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Capitals, taking 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58.
According to several reports, Zaheer, a member of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning side, is also expected to lead the franchise’s talent development plan, a prospect that holds great promise for the team’s future, though official confirmation has yet to be provided.
He formerly worked with the Mumbai Indians (MI) club from 2018 to 2022, first as director of cricket and later as head of global development.
During the IPL 2023 and 2024 seasons, the former bowler served on the commentary squad for digital broadcasters JioCinema.
Sanjiv Goenka purchased LSG in 2022 for INR 7090 crore. The team plays at Lucknow’s BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. The team made the playoffs in the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons before losing in the eliminator battles twice.
LSG missed the playoffs in IPL 2024 due to a negative Net Run Rate (NRR), ending eighth in the points standings.
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–IANS
Credit: X/Lucknow Super Giants
