(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.
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