The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made a significant addition to their management team by appointing former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan as the new mentor for the upcoming 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Zaheer takes over the role previously held by Gautam Gambhir, who parted ways with the franchise before the IPL 2024 season.
Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of LSG, expressed his admiration for Zaheer’s strategic acumen, honed through his years as both a player and coach, particularly during his tenure with Mumbai Indians. Zaheer’s hiring was finalized over the past two weeks, with Goenka officially announcing the appointment during a press conference at the RPSG office in Kolkata on Wednesday.
‘We are very excited to have him on board’ – Sanjiv Goenka on Zaheer Khan
“We are very excited to have him on board. We do believe he will do wonders for the future of LSG. Until 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. He is strategically strong, has got respect amongst the community without a doubt, and his mind is clear,” Goenka remarked.
Zaheer Khan, known for his sharp cricketing mind and leadership skills, is eager to contribute to LSG’s journey. He acknowledged the team’s consistency in reaching the playoffs in recent seasons and highlighted his goal to help the franchise reach even greater heights.
“The consistency you see in reaching the playoffs is something which is so tough in this fierce competition. That is something which gives me a lot of confidence when I’m looking at coming and contributing to this franchise’s success. I’ll make sure a process is in place for each and every individual to express themselves freely, to bring a lot of victories to the franchise,” Zaheer stated.
Zaheer Khan brings a wealth of experience to LSG, having served as the Director of Cricket and later the Head of Global Development for Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022. At LSG, he will collaborate with head coach Justin Langer and a coaching team featuring veterans like Lance Klusener, Adam Voges, and Jonty Rhodes. The addition of Zaheer Khan is expected to bolster LSG’s chances of achieving success in the highly competitive IPL.
