Lucknow Super Giants In Talks With Zaheer Khan For Mentor’s Role Ahead Of IPL 2025: Report

New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants are believed to be in talks with former India pacer Zaheer Khan for the mentor’s role, a position that has been left vacant since Gautam Gambhir left for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. If things go as planned, Zaheer will closely work with head coach Justin Langer and a string backroom staff that includes Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes. Following success with KKR in IPL 2024, Gambhir joined the Indian national team as head coach.

With an experience of 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is, Zaheer is considered to be one of the finest fast bowlers the country has ever produced. During his playing days, Zaheer was known to mentor young bowlers. He had also played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Mumbai Indians before turning into coaching.

After playing his last IPL game in 2017, Zaheer was roped in by Mumbai Indians as a bowling coach. As far as LSG are concerned, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned side made it to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 before missing out on a final four spot in the previous edition due to net run rate.

Notably, Zaheer was also rumoured to join Gambhir in the Indian national team as a bowling coach. However, that didn’t materialise as the BCCI roped in Morne Morkel for the position.