Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been dealt a major setback ahead of IPL 2026 as former India pacer Zaheer Khan has stepped down from his role as team mentor. Zaheer, who joined the franchise in August 2024 on a two-year contract, informed the management of his decision on Thursday, ending his association after just one season.
Reports suggest that Zaheer’s cricketing vision did not align with LSG head coach Justin Langer and franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka. While Zaheer enjoyed a strong bond with captain Rishabh Pant, the clash of strategies and thought process within the leadership group is believed to have influenced his decision to quit.
During his short stint, Zaheer played a key role in shaping LSG batting and bowling approach. His biggest strategic move was to push Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram as openers, while allowing Nicholas Pooran to settle at No. 3. The gamble paid off, with Marsh scoring 627 runs at a strike rate of 163.70, Pooran hammering 524 runs at 196.25, and Markram contributing 445 runs at 148.82.
Even though the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2025, finishing seventh with six wins in 14 matches, Zaheer planning brought noticeable improvement in batting consistency.
Zaheer exit has left a vacuum in the support staff. His experience as a former spearhead of India pace attack and his mentoring skills had been invaluable for young bowlers like Mohsin Khan and Avesh Khan. The franchise will now have to find a replacement mentor ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction to restore balance in their think tank.
While LSG still boasts a strong squad with Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and a promising pace unit, the departure of Zaheer Khan has undoubtedly created ripples ahead of the new season. Fans will be eager to see how the franchise reshapes its backroom staff and whether this change impacts their hunt for a maiden IPL trophy.
