Former India pacer and Mumbai Indians ‘Director of Cricket’ Zaheer Khan is set to be unvieled as the new mentor of RPSG Group-owned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants. The position of LSG team mentor was left vacant by former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who has been appointed the new head coach of Indian men’s cricket team.
The former India left-arm pacer will be announced as LSG team mentor during a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday (August 28) afternoon. This appointment marks the return of the 45-year-old pacer to the IPL fold after two years, having been associated with five-time champions Mumbai Indians from 2018-2022.
“Zaheer has been appointed as team mentor and the unveiling will happen later today,” sources told news agency PTI.
Zaheer Khan joins LSG as mentor!
Replaces Gautam Gambhir, who’s now India’s head coach
Will he take on bowling coach role too? #CricketFever #IPL #LucknowSuperGiants #ZaheerKhan pic.twitter.com/iUTPclscD6
— Cricket Fever (@CricketFeverly) August 28, 2024
At Mumbai Indians, Zaheer first served as the director of cricket before taking on the role of head of global development. LSG currently do not have a bowling coach as well after the departure of former South African pacer Morne Morkel, who has joined Gambhir’s coaching staff with Team India.
It is learnt that Zaheer will also be involved in scouting and player-development programme during the off season ahead of IPL 2025. Before his coaching career, Zaheer played for three IPL teams – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Daredevils.
Over the 10 IPL seasons, Zaheer turned out in 100 matches for these teams, claiming 102 wickets with an economy rate of 7.58. His final appearance in the IPL was in 2017 when he captained the Delhi Daredevils, after which he retired from all forms of cricket.
LSG already have Justin Langer as head coach with the Australian replacing Andy Flower before the last IPL as he is set to continue with his deputies Lance Klusener and Adam Voges.
Zaheer’s appointment comes close on the heels after a meeting between LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka with current captain KL Rahul. It is unclear whether the Lucknow-based franchise will retain the Indian batter for the IPL 2025 season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are expected to announce the retention rules for IPL 2025 by the month of September, according to reports.
