As a player, Zaheer has participated in 100 Indian Premier League games across ten seasons with three different franchises: MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils. He has taken 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59
Before the next Indian Premier League season, former India bowler Zaheer Khan is a candidate to become the Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor. The 45-year-old served as the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) head of global development from 2018 to 2022. Prior to that, he was the team’s director of cricket. As a player, Zaheer has participated in 100 Indian Premier League games across ten seasons with three different franchises: MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils. He has taken 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59
“Zaheer Khan is in talks with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a mentorship role with the franchise keen on bringing in a top former India player well-versed with T20 cricket to have a strong presence within their coaching setup following the departure of Gautam Gambhir,” according to an ESPNcricinfo report.
“Apart from the role of mentor, LSG are also keen on giving Zaheer a wider profile that will mean involvement with the scouting and player-development programmes during the off season.”
Under the guidance of Gambhir, LSG made it to the playoffs twice in 2022 and 2023. After leaving for Kolkata Knight Riders in late 2023, the former India opener went on to play a crucial part in KKR’s IPL championship this year. After that, he became the head coach of India.
The bowling coach for LSG, Morne Morkel, is also absent from the team. with the same capacity, the former South Africa bowler has joined Gambhir’s support group with the Indian men’s squad.
Two more teams are interested in signing Zaheer before the IPL super auction, for which the retention guidelines will be revealed by early September. Zaheer withdrew from all forms of cricket following the 2017 season.
PBKS looks for Indian coach
Punjab Kings are looking for a replacement for Trevor Bayliss with the franchise keen on hiring an Indian head coach.
They reportedly want to get VVS Laxman on board, but since he extended his tenure as the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy’s head, it seems unlikely at this point.
