Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have added Zaheer Khan to their team as a mentor ahead of IPL 2025. Zaheer has replaced Gautam Gambhir, who previously held this role. Team owner Sanjiv Goenka introduced Zaheer during a press conference on Wednesday, where they also discussed the team’s plans for retaining and releasing players. Goenka mentioned that it’s still too early to make any decisions on this matter.
With Zaheer’s arrival, a new era has begun for the team. Goenka praised Zaheer’s strategic skills, saying they will benefit the team greatly. When asked about the list of players to be retained, Goenka said, “There’s still a lot of time to discuss retention and releases. Any decision will be made after careful consideration.” He did not make any clear statements about KL Rahul’s future with the team.
Marcus Stoinis Likely to Be Retained
If we talk about players who might be retained, Marcus Stoinis is a strong candidate. Stoinis is an all-rounder who has performed well so far. In IPL 2024, he played 14 matches, scoring 388 runs, including a century and two half-centuries, with a top score of 124 not out. He also contributed with the ball, taking 4 wickets.
Zaheer Khan’s Impact on Bowlers
Zaheer’s presence is expected to benefit LSG’s bowlers significantly. As a former lethal fast bowler, Zaheer will be an excellent mentor for young players. One such player is Mayank Yadav, who has been in the spotlight for his bowling. If Mayank is retained, Zaheer’s guidance could prove to be very valuable for him.