IPL 2025 – Zaheer Khan is in talks with Lucknow Super Giants to take over as a consultant

Two other franchises are thought to be interested in bringing in Zaheer, until recently the head of global development at Mumbai Indians (MI) – before that, he was the franchise’s director of cricket from 2018-2022.

Apart from the mentoring role, LSG is keen to give Zaheer a wider profile which will mean involvement in evaluation and player development programs during the off-season.

LSG’s backroom is currently led by Justin Langer, who replaced Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024, with Lance Klusener and Adam Voges as his assistants. After making the playoffs in their first two seasons, the KL Rahul-led team has a chance to make a run at the top four in 2024.

Zaheer’s possible return to the IPL comes at a time when teams are gearing up for a big auction. The IPL is likely to announce the staff retention rules in early September.

Zaheer was part of three franchises – MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils – during his playing career. In all, he played 100 matches for three teams in ten seasons, taking 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59. He last appeared in the tournament in 2017, when he led Daredevils, before retiring from all forms of cricket.

Elsewhere, Punjab Kings are looking for an Indian coach to replace Trevor Bayliss. They were reportedly keen on bringing in VVS Laxman, but that is not the case as Laxman is extending his tenure as the head of the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy. They currently have Sanjay Bangar on their roster as the head of cricket development.