Zaheer Khan part ways Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. He joined the franchise only last season after being named the mentor. He also served Lucknow as the bowling coach. However, ahead of the new season, Zaheer informed the team management about his decision, but it remains unclear if he’s in contact with any other franchise in the cash-rich league.
According to a report, Zaheer realised that his vision didn’t align with head coach Justin Langer and owner Sanjiv Goenka. He believes that the team management had multiple ideas, which didn’t work quite well for them, as the Rishabh Pant-led side finished seventh on the points table. In the meantime, LSG have already acquired the services of Bharat Arun as the bowling coach, which might have played a role in Zaheer relinquishing his position as mentor.
How Zaheer fared in only season in LSG?
Appointed as the team’s Director of Cricket in August 2024 following Gautam Gambhir’s departure, Zaheer inherited a side with playoff pedigree but waning consistency. While results didn’t fully reflect the groundwork laid, LSG's campaign offered glimpses of a promising future.
In his only season at the helm, Zaheer implemented a bold tactical shift in team dynamics and batting structure. A key moment came at the mega auction, where LSG created a stir by acquiring Pant for a record-breaking INR 27 crore. The team’s decision to build its core around Pant set the tone for a revamped approach, but the captain failed to live up to the potential.
Contrary to public expectation that Pant would open the innings, Zaheer charted a different course. In a move that raised eyebrows initially but paid off handsomely, he convinced Pant and the leadership group to open with Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh alongside South Africa’s Aiden Markram. This shift was aimed at easing the pressure on Nicholas Pooran, the team’s most destructive batter, who was slotted in at No. 3 to anchor the innings.
Despite a strong start that saw them win five of their first eight matches, LSG faltered in the back end of the league phase, managing just one win in their last six games. Home form was a particular concern. LSG struggled at the Ekana Stadium.
