IPL 2025: Zaheer Khan to leave Mumbai Indians, set to join a new franchise - Reports

Zaheer Khan is Mumbai Indians’ director of cricket operations and global head of cricket development.

In a significant development, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are in talks with former Indian speedster Zaheer Khan for the mentor role for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, according to reports.

Zaheer is currently with Mumbai Indians (MI) as their director of cricket operations, a role he took up in 2018, and in 2022 he was elevated to the position of MI’s global head of cricket development, in which he oversees MI’s franchise in other leagues as well.

The Super Giants have been without a mentor since Gautam Gambhir left the franchise and returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024. Additionally, LSG have another vacant spot after fast bowling coach Morne Morkel became the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. 

Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had also considered Zaheer Khan for the bowling coach’s role, but Morkel was preferred by the BCCI on the recommendation of new head coach Gambhir.

LSG likely to rope in Zaheer Khan for mentor and fast-bowling coach role

According to a report in Cricbuzz, former Indian pacer Zaheer is close to leaving MI and joining LSG in the role of mentor and fast-bowling coach.

The report added, “He will also be a key interlocutor, rather a go-between, for players and the management of the franchise.”

Zaheer will join LSG’s coaching staff which is filled with overseas names: head coach Justin Langer along with Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes.

The 45-year-old Zaheer played 92 tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for the Indian cricket team. The left-arm speedster also played 100 IPL games for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru), and Mumbai Indians.

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