Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have reached out to former India cricketer Zaheer Khan to take on a dual role within their coaching staff.
In their three years in the IPL, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have reached the playoffs twice but have been without a mentor since Gautam Gambhir departed to rejoin his former team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, for the same position in 2024. Gambhir, is currently the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Additionally, LSG lost their bowling coach, Morne Morkel, after the 2024 season. Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, is set to join Gambhir’s support staff with the Indian team in the same capacity.
Cricbuzz reports that if LSG finalizes an agreement with Zaheer Khan, the former India pacer could take on both the mentor and bowling coach roles for the upcoming IPL season.
“He will also be a key interlocutor, rather a go-between, for players and the management of the franchise,” the report further said. Zaheer will hence be potentially working with the likes of head coach Justin Langer, Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes in the coaching unit.”
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Zaheer Khan was previously considered for the role of bowling coach for the Indian cricket team. However, Gautam Gambhir requested the BCCI to include Morne Morkel for the position, having collaborated with him at LSG in 2022 and 2023. For Zaheer, a 2011 World Cup champion who has played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, 17 T20Is, and 100 IPL matches, this would be his second coaching role in the league, following his previous stint with the Mumbai Indians.
Zaheer Khan led India’s Pace Attack- Key highlights of his career
Zaheer Khan was undoubtedly one of Indian cricket’s most valuable assets. At a time when the country was struggling to find fast-bowling talent and Javagal Srinath was nearing the end of his career, Zaheer emerged as a remarkable gift. He became one of the finest new-ball bowlers in history, especially effective against left-handers, mastered the art of reverse swing with both the old and new white ball, proved himself as a formidable Test bowler, and ultimately became a World Cup hero.
Zaheer Khan made a memorable debut in the ICC Knockout Cup in 2000, where he garnered attention by yorking Steve Waugh with his pace. Alongside Ashish Nehra and Javagal Srinath, Zaheer was a key part of India’s formidable express pace attack during the 2003 World Cup. He was also a standout performer in the 2011 World Cup, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers with 21 wickets and providing critical breakthroughs with the new ball.
In the IPL, Zaheer began his career with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008, then spent two seasons with the Mumbai Indians before rejoining Bangalore in 2011. He returned to the Mumbai Indians for the 2014 season, having previously played for them in 2009 and 2010. Zaheer was later signed by the Delhi Daredevils for the 2015 season.
