Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have acquired the services of former India bowling coach Bharat Arun for the next two editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The signing took place months after LSG's fast-bowling's lacklustre display in IPL 2025.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, LSG require Arun to be available and work with LSG players round the year. Arun was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching staff. The development comes a day after KKR parted ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit. The 62-year-old, and both franchises are yet to make the announcement.
Arun leaves KKR a year after Bravo appointed mentor
Arun played a vital role in KKR's IPL 2024 triumph under mentor Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer. Dwayne Bravo took over the role of mentor after Gambhir was appointed head coach of the Indian team. With Bravo and Arun in the support staff, there may have been lack of clarity in bowling strategies.
Meanwhile, KKR are yet to announce their new head coach.
Will Zaheer Khan and Justin Langer stay?
The Sanjiv Goenka-owned LSG roped in Zaheer as mentor before the mega auction. A few LSG pacers were injured which left them with an inexperienced bowling attack. Their pace-bowling stocks were deflated which played a role in them not making it to the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
In addition, the renewal of LSG head coach Justin Langer's contract looks unlikely as well. Langer joined after Gambhir left LSG to join Gambhir. Langer has been at the helm of things as LSG failed to make it to the playoffs twice.
Other members of coaching staff
LSG also have former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener as their assistant coach. Another former South African in the coaching staff is Jonty Rhodes. To assist the spin-bowling department, they have Pravin Tambe.
LSG squad -
Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, William ORourke, Akash Maharaj Singh, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Arshin Kulkarni, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddharth, David Miller, Shardul Thakur, RS Hangargekar