Former cricketer Zaheer Khan is set to join Lucknow Super Giants as a mentor ahead of IPL 2025. Recently, the franchise has been in talks with the former Indian pacer on taking over the mentor role.
But the franchise is yet to make an official announcement, the former bowler could take up the role of the bowling coach as Morne Morkel joined the Indian coaching setup as bowling coach under Gautam Gambhir.
Zaheer has been involved in various roles with different IPL franchises over the years. After playing in the cash-rich league for 10 seasons between 2008 and 2017. He becomes Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket and Head of Global Development serving from 2018-2022.
Zaheer Khan has played 92 tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is for India and has also featured in 100 IPL games where he represented Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. His last IPL game come from the year 2017.
During his international cricket career, Zaheer has picked up 311 test wickets and overall 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats for Men in Blue. He is considered as one of the greatest left-arm pacers to have played the sport.
The LSG is keen on giving the former Indian cricketer a bigger role. The Super Giants had already roped in a star-studded coaching panel ahead of the 2024 edition, with Justin Langer as coach and Lance Klusener and Adam Voges as assistant coaches.
The Lucknow Super Giants had qualified for the playoffs in their first two seasons after making their debut in 2022.
LSG the most expensive team in the IPL was bought by Goenka in 2022 for INR 7090 crores as an exchange at that time. They reached the playoffs in their first two seasons before losing the playoff spot in IPL 2024 due to a low net run rate.
The Super Giants are also likely to release KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 as owner Sanjiv Goenka could announce soon. After a 10-wicket thrashing defeat in the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad who chased down 166 in 9.5 overs at Hyderabad this year, Goenka had a chat with Rahul.
The franchise will look for a fresh look as the franchise is gearing up for the mega auction. The IPL is likely to announce the retention rules by early September.
