Zaheer Khan, the former Indian cricketer, is currently in discussions with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) regarding a mentorship role within the franchise. This move comes as LSG seeks to fill the void left by Gautam Gambhir's departure and enhance their coaching staff with a strong T20 cricket expert. Notably, two other franchises have shown interest in Zaheer, who previously held key positions at Mumbai Indians (MI).
LSG has been without a mentor since Gambhir's exit late last year, as Gambhir transitioned to the role of India's head coach. Morne Morkel, LSG's former bowling coach, has also followed suit by joining Gambhir's coaching setup within the India men's team.In addition to the mentorship position, LSG is looking to expand Zaheer's role to include involvement in scouting and player development programs during the off-season.
The current leadership of LSG's coaching staff consists of Justin Langer as the head coach, supported by assistants Lance Klusener and Adam Voges. Despite narrowly missing out on the top four in the previous IPL season, LSG, captained by KL Rahul, has been a strong contender in recent years.As teams gear up for a mega auction, Zaheer's potential comeback to the IPL landscape is timely.
With his wealth of experience playing for multiple franchises such as MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils, Zaheer brings a unique perspective. Throughout his IPL career spanning ten seasons, Zaheer showcased his prowess, claiming 102 wickets across 100 matches. His last IPL appearance was in 2017 when he led the Daredevils before bidding farewell to all forms of professional cricket.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings are in search of an Indian head coach to succeed Trevor Bayliss, with VVS Laxman initially considered before opting to continue his role at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy. Currently, Sanjay Bangar remains as the head of cricket development within the Punjab Kings setup.