In a surprising turn of events, Zaheer Khan, the former Indian pace spearhead, has parted ways with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The split, confirmed by ESPNcricinfo on September 18, 2025, stems from irreconcilable differences in vision between Zaheer and key figures in the LSG setup, including head coach Justin Langer and owner Sanjiv Goenka. This development follows LSG’s lackluster IPL 2025 campaign, where they finished seventh with just six wins from 14 matches, missing the playoffs for the first time since their inception in 2022.
Zaheer, a cricketing legend with 610 international wickets and pivotal roles in India’s 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, joined LSG as mentor in August 2024 on a two-year deal. His appointment was celebrated, given his successful stint with Mumbai Indians (MI), where he shaped a title-winning pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. Tasked with scouting and strategy, Zaheer aimed to build LSG around young Indian pacers like Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan, leveraging his tactical acumen to create a robust squad.
The IPL 2025 mega auction saw Zaheer orchestrate a bold strategy, with LSG splashing a record INR 27 crore on Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history. Zaheer’s blueprint prioritized balance, slotting Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram as openers, with Nicholas Pooran at No. 3 and Pant in the middle order. The approach bore fruit individually—Marsh amassed 627 runs at a strike rate of 163.70, Pooran smashed 524 at 196.25, and Pant delivered explosive cameos. Zaheer also honed the bowling unit, refining Mayank’s raw pace and Avesh’s variations. Yet, despite these sparks, LSG faltered, managing only two home wins at the Ekana Cricket Stadium and crumbling in the season’s second half.
Reports suggest tensions brewed during the campaign, with Zaheer’s data-driven approach clashing with Langer’s instincts and Goenka’s expectations. Cricbuzz noted in June 2025 that Zaheer’s one-year deal was unlikely to be extended, hinting at deeper issues. The split, described as mutual, reflects a divergence in long-term vision, with Zaheer reportedly favoring a youth-centric rebuild over immediate results—a stance not fully aligned with LSG’s leadership.
For LSG, this marks another transition after Gautam Gambhir’s exit in 2023. The franchise now faces the challenge of replacing Zaheer’s expertise while preparing for the next auction. For Zaheer, the IPL remains a fertile ground for his coaching ambitions, with MI reportedly eyeing a reunion. As the cricketing world digests this news, the split underscores the relentless pressure of the IPL, where even legends like Zaheer are not immune to its churn.
