Zaheer Khan Joins Lucknow Super Giants as Mentor for IPL 2025

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan will mentor Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 after Gautam Gambhir's exit. There are speculations about Zaheer potentially taking on the bowling coach role. Justin Langer remains the head coach while Lance Klusener and Adam Voges serve as assistant coaches.

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is set to join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the franchise's mentor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, ESPNcricinfo has confirmed. Zaheer will succeed Gautam Gambhir, who stepped down after serving as LSG's mentor until IPL 2023. Gambhir has since taken on the mentoring role for Kolkata Knight Riders, who clinched the IPL 2024 title.

There is uncertainty regarding whether Zaheer will also assume the role of bowling coach, vacant since Morne Morkel's departure. Morkel left to join Gambhir in the Indian team's management as the bowling coach. ESPNcricinfo indicates that Zaheer may be given a broader responsibility, encompassing scouting and player development, during the off-season.

Currently, Justin Langer is the head coach of LSG, having replaced Andy Flower before IPL 2024. Despite high expectations, LSG did not make the playoffs last season. Lance Klusener and Adam Voges remain as assistant coaches. Zaheer, in his playing career, represented Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils, securing 102 wickets in 100 IPL matches with an economy rate of 7.59. Post-retirement, he held roles of director of cricket and then head of global development with Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022. Zaheer has 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and 610 scalps in 309 international matches for India, marking him as one of the all-time greats in left-arm pace bowling. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)