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IPL 2025: LSG in talks with THIS Indian World Cup winner for mentor role

IPL 2025: LSG in talks with THIS Indian World Cup winner for mentor role

IPL 2025: LSG in talks with THIS Indian World Cup winner for mentor role

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is in negotiations with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the mentor's role. The northern IPL franchise, who came into the scene in 2022, has been without a mentor since Gautam Gambhir left the position vacant ahead of IPL 2024, to becomeKolkata Knight Riders (KKR)'s mentor. Thus, LSG is looking for Gambhir's successor.

If the talks materalise, Zaheer -- the ODI World Cup winner -- could become Lucknow's mentor and also provide his expertise to the bowlers. Morne Morkel, LSG's bowling coach, also vacated the post recently after being roped in as India's bowling coach on newly-appointed head coach Gambhir's recommendation. If Zaheer comes into the picture,the veteran willbe a key interlocutorfor players and the management of the franchise.

Interestingly, Zaheer's name had cropped up as a likely candidate to become India's next bowling coach after the resignation of the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff. However, Morkel pipped the former Indian speedster. The South African will join the Indian squad ahead of their home Tests versus Bangladesh, starting Sep 19.

In the Lucknowsetup, Zaheer will collaborate with head coach Justin Langer and join a strong team of coaches, including Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes, etc. In addition,there aretalks of another prominent coach joining the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise. Nonetheless, the details arenot fully clear.

Zaheer represented India in92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is, accounting for 311, 282 and 17 wickets, respectively. In addition, he played 100 IPL games, representing many franchises such as Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Daredevils (DD), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), etc. Currently, the India great isthe Global Head of Cricket Development at the MI camp since 2022.