Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan may return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the next season. The 45-year-old cricketer was earlier the head of global development at Mumbai Indians.
He also held the post of Director of Cricket in the same franchise from 2018 to 2022. Zaheer Khan was associated with IPL as a cricketer in the first 10 seasons. During this time, he played a total of 100 matches for three teams Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in which he took 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59.
According to ESPN Cricinfo report, “Zaheer Khan is in talks with the franchise for the post of mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise wants to add a former Indian cricketer well versed with T20 cricket to its coaching staff after the departure of Gautam Gambhir.
Under Gambhir, the Lucknow team reached the play-offs twice in 2022 and 2023. Former India opener Gambhir joined Kolkata Knight Riders in late 2023 and played an important role in making the franchise the champion this year.
After this, he was appointed the head coach of the Indian team. Lucknow will also not get the services of its bowling coach Morne Morkel. This former South African fast bowler has joined Gambhir’s support staff in the Indian men’s team in the same role.
Punjab Kings is looking for an Indian coach Meanwhile, Punjab Kings is keen to appoint an Indian player as the head coach in place of Trevor Bayliss. According to reports, Punjab wanted to appoint VVS Laxman as the head coach but this is not possible as the former India batsman has extended his tenure as the head of BCCI’s National Cricket Academy.