Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is in negotiations with Lucknow Super Giants for the mentor role in the upcoming seasons of the Indian Premier League. He might take the position of two well-known players Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel for the Northern Indian Premier League (IPL) team if the current negotiations are successful.
Since Gautam Gambhir moved to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, the Super Giants have been without a mentor. Morne Morkel’s departure has created a fresh void in the side. It should be noted that both Morkel, who coached the team’s bowling department for three seasons, and Gambhir have either joined or close to joining the Indian national squad.
According to IPL insiders, Zaheer is being evaluated for the position that Gambhir occupied and may be able to help the bowlers for the Lucknow Super Giants by lending his experience. Additionally, as a go-between for players and the franchise’s management—whose owner is renowned for having a strong enthusiasm for the game—he will play a crucial role.
Under Gambhir’s new structure in Team India, Zaheer was originally considered as a possible option for the bowling coach, primarily to coach the young and developing pacers in and around the team—a role for which he is highly valued. Zaheer was well-known for coaching and teaching the team’s young fast bowlers even in his playing days for India.
Zaheer Khan’s possible participation with the Indian team did not occur because Morkel was clearly recommended by Gambhir to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who gave the job to him. Nonetheless, the former India bowler, who previously worked with the Mumbai Indians, has a wealth of IPL coaching expertise.
Zaheer will work in tandem with head coach Justin Langer and an experienced coaching staff that includes, among others, Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes in the Lucknow Super Giants setup. Uncertainty surrounds the details of another well-known coach rumored to be joining the Sanjiv Goenka-owned team.
In addition to playing 100 IPL games with the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (now the Royal Challengers Bengaluru), and Mumbai Indians, Zaheer, played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is for India. His final IPL match was in 2017.
