Lucknow Super Giants Considering Zaheer Khan for Mentor Role in IPL 2025 Talks: Report

Lucknow Super Giants are reportedly in discussions with former India pace bowler Zaheer Khan for the position of mentor, which has been vacant since Gautam Gambhir departed for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. If negotiations are successful, Zaheer will collaborate closely with head coach Justin Langer and a strong backroom team that includes Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes. After a successful stint with KKR in IPL 2024, Gambhir moved on to become the head coach of the Indian national team.

With an experience of 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is, Zaheer is considered to be one of the finest fast bowlers the country has ever produced. During his playing days, Zaheer was known to mentor young bowlers. He had also played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Mumbai Indians before turning into coaching.

After playing his last IPL game in 2017, Zaheer was roped in by Mumbai Indians as a bowling coach. As far as LSG are concerned, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned side made it to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 before missing out on a final four spot in the previous edition due to net run rate.

Notably, Zaheer was also rumoured to join Gambhir in the Indian national team as a bowling coach. However, that didn’t materialise as the BCCI roped in Morne Morkel for the position.