LSG confirm Zaheer Khan as mentor

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have confirmed Zaheer Khan as a mentor ahead of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The two parties had been in negotiation for the mentor role, a development first reported by Cricbuzz on August 19.

In his new role, Zaheer will work with head coach Justin Langer and a coaching team that includes Lance Klusener, Adam Voges and Jonty Rhodes.

"Till some time ago I didn't know that he was no longer with Mumbai Indians. I approached him immediately. It is as simple as that," franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka said at the unveiling of the new mentor at the RPSG office in Kolkata on Wednesday. "He is strategically strong. He has got respect amongst the community without doubt. And his mind is clear."

LSG were without a mentor last season after Gautam Gambhir had left for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Incidentally, it was the first season since their inception that they didn't qualify for the PlayOffs.

Goenka also admitted that one of the reasons for recruiting a mentor like Zaheer was because he was not happy with the team's performance in the last season. "We didn't have a great performance. So, I mean, I'm not making bones about the fact that we 'almost' made it. You are either there or you are not there. So this is not good enough."

The position of the bowling coach also lies vacant at LSG after the departure of Morne Morkel to the Indian team, and it is unclear whether Zaheer will step in to fill the role. Nonetheless, he is expected to bring his bowling expertise to the table and, as reported earlier, he will take on the crucial role of an interlocutor, serving as a bridge between the players and the franchise management.

Prior to joining LSG, Zaheer was with the Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022, serving as the Director of Cricket before taking on the role of Head of Global Development. The former India pacer played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is along with 100 IPL games, which saw him represent Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Mumbai Indians. He played his last IPL game in 2017.