Zaheer Khan set to join Lucknow Super Giants as mentor amidst likely leadership changes

Zaheer Khan is poised to step into the role of mentor for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), filling the gap left by Gautam Gambhir's departure after the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Gambhir, who had been serving as LSG's mentor, took on a similar role with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2024 and has since been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team.

?Zaheer Khan comes in as Gambhir's replacement

While it is confirmed that Zaheer will take on the mentor position, it remains uncertain whether he will also assume the responsibilities of the bowling coach. This position became vacant following Morne Morkel's departure from LSG to join Gambhir's coaching staff with the national team.

Zaheer Khan, who was previously associated with the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise from 2018 to 2022, first served as the director of cricket and later as the head of global development. His IPL journey as a player saw him representing three teams: MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Over a span of ten seasons, Zaheer played in 100 IPL matches, securing 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58. His final appearance in the tournament was in 2017 when he captained Delhi Daredevils before retiring from all forms of cricket.

Zaheer Khan's role to go beyond mentorship

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, LSG is keen on expanding Zaheer’s role beyond mentorship. The franchise is considering involving him in their scouting and player-development programs, especially during the off-season, to leverage his extensive experience and knowledge of the game.

The coaching setup at LSG is currently headed by Justin Langer, who took over from Andy Flower before the 2024 season. Langer's coaching team includes assistants Lance Klusener and Adam Voges. Under this coaching team, LSG reached the playoffs in their first two IPL seasons. However, they narrowly missed out on a top-four finish in 2024, losing their spot on net run rate.

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In addition to the mentor role, Zaheer is expected to contribute to LSG’s broader strategy, particularly in the lead-up to a highly anticipated mega auction. The IPL is likely to announce the retention rules by early September, which will be crucial for teams as they prepare their strategies.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is set to be retained by LSG for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, but he may not continue as captain.?

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An IANS report suggests that Rahul is stepping down from the captaincy to focus more on his batting. The franchise has yet to decide on his successor, with Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran emerging as the leading candidates to take over the leadership role. Sources close to LSG have confirmed that while Rahul will be retained, the decision on the captaincy remains uncertain.

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