IPL Off-Season Changes Loom for Lucknow Super Giants After Disappointing Season
Potential Overhaul for Lucknow Super Giants
Just a day after the conclusion of IPL Season 18, discussions about the off-season have begun. Several franchises are likely to undergo changes in their coaching staff and player rosters ahead of the upcoming season, with the Lucknow Super Giants expected to see the most significant adjustments.
Finishing in seventh place with only six wins out of 14 matches has likely left the franchise management dissatisfied. There are growing speculations regarding the future of key figures within the Lucknow Super Giants' coaching team, currently operating under the guidance of Zaheer Khan.
Zaheer himself finds himself in a precarious situation. When he was appointed as a mentor before last year's auction, it was on a one-year contract that now requires renewal. Sources suggest that it would be surprising if he were to continue in his role.
Zaheer was brought in to support head coach Justin Langer, whose contract is also nearing its end. While the effectiveness of their collaboration during the season remains unclear, there appears to be some unrest within the team and management, with current rumors focusing more on Zaheer than Langer.
The Lucknow Super Giants have struggled to reach the playoffs in both of the last two seasons. Although Zaheer cannot be solely blamed for the team's performance in the 2024 season, management is clearly unhappy with this year's results.
Reports indicate that Zaheer had a strong professional relationship with captain Rishabh Pant, who unfortunately underperformed with the bat. Pant managed to score 269 runs over 14 matches, including a century and a half-century, but failed to make significant contributions in the remaining 12 games.
While the mentor cannot be held accountable for the captain's lackluster performance, it was Zaheer who established the team's vision and strategy. He and Pant had previously discussed adopting an aggressive style of play this season, but the planned approach did not yield the expected results.