According to a report from The Times of India, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are expected to part ways with mentor Zaheer Khan following the conclusion of his one-year contract last month. The franchise is reportedly looking to bring in a new mentor who will have a broader role, extending beyond the IPL to their sister teams: the Durban's Super Giants in the SA20 league and the Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
Zaheer Khan to be sacked as LSG mentor?
In addition to appointing a new mentor, LSG plans to name a Director of Cricket to oversee the 'year-round development' of the entire LSG group of teams. Khan had initially taken over the mentor position from Gautam Gambhir, who moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. Khan had also been serving as the bowling coach since Morne Morkel’s departure; Morkel left his role to join Gambhir and the Indian men's cricket team in 2024.
“LSG is set to part ways with Zaheer Khan and the new mentor will be given a bigger role to monitor RPSG Group’s other franchises," the report cited a source as saying.
Prior to joining LSG, Zaheer Khan was associated with the Mumbai Indians until 2022. He took on the role of mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants after the departures of Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel. Under the leadership of new skipper Rishabh Pant, the Lucknow Super Giants had a season to forget in IPL 2025. The team finished in 7th place, with just six wins and eight losses in a total of 14 matches.
Notably, former India cricketer Bharat Arun was recently roped in as LSG's bowling coach ahead of IPL 2026 season.
“Arun’s role is also extensive as he will be given an extra responsibility for scouting and working on their young quicks for Durban’s Super Giants and, from next year, with the Manchester Originals as well," the report added.
Bharat Arun after joining Justin Langer-led LSG's coaching staff, expressed his goal to help shape the Lucknow-based team into a cohesive and tactically sharp unit.
“It’s an honour to join the Lucknow Super Giants, a franchise that reflects professionalism, ambition, and vision at every level. My conversations with Dr. Sanjiv Goenka and the management were incredibly energizing — there is a clear intent to invest in young Indian talent and build a long-term legacy. What excites me most is the vision for long-term development. LSG has invested in a young, talented, and dynamic group of Indian fast bowlers — Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Singh — and I see immense potential in each of them. My mission is to help shape them into a cohesive, fearless, and tactically sharp pace unit that can challenge the best batting line-ups in the world," Arun had earlier said in a statement after his appointment as LSG's bowling coach.