 "New LSG mentor Zaheer Khan backs Impact Player rule in IPL: 'It has given chances to a lot of uncapped Indian players'")
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan joined Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday as a mentor ahead of the 2025 season. The franchise announced the arrival of the legendary pacer through a video post on X.
Gambhir was LSG’s team mentor for the 2022 and 2023 seasons but moved to Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024 and is now the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. LSG did not have a mentor in the 2024 season.
Zaheer, Lucknow ke dil mein aap bohot pehle se ho 🇮🇳💙 pic.twitter.com/S5S3YHUSX0
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) August 28, 2024
At LSG event in Kolkata on Wednesday, Zaheer backed the controversial Impact Player rule in the cash-rich tournament, stating that the system provides an opportunity for uncapped Indian players to shine at the big stage. While veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have criticised the Impact Player rule , all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken in support of the same.
Zaheer echoed Ashwin’s views. “I am for it (Impact Player rule). It has given chances to a lot of uncapped Indian players. You will see that in this mega auction when teams will be looking at them. The opportunity goes a long way toward improving Indian cricket as a whole. As far as all-rounders are concerned, there is no space for a half-all-rounder because of the impact sub. But if you are a genuine all-rounder, no one can stop you.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“There will always be a value addition if you have that kind of ability with bat and ball,” the 2011 World Cup winner said during a press conference organised by LSG on Wednesday.
LSG have made the playoffs in two of the three IPL seasons so far, missing out for the very first time in 2024. LSG finished IPL 2024 in seventh place with 14 points. Zaheer said that he was looking forward to a “special season” with LSG next year and aimed to take the team to the next level. “I will make sure that the process that is required to LSG the next level is there. The next season is going to be a special one,” added the 45 year-old.
There are reports that Zaheer would also work as the talent development programme head at LSG. His joining LSG marks a return for Zaheer to IPL, having worked with five-time champions Mumbai Indians from 2018-2022.
All your anticipation ends here!
— RP Sanjiv Goenka Group (@rpsggroup) August 28, 2024
The King of reverse swing, Indian legend #ZaheerKhan takes charge as the mentor of @LucknowIPL #ZaheerNowSuperGiant@DrSanjivGoenka @ImZaheer pic.twitter.com/sOr9vcyzYu
Earlier, Zaheer played eight seasons in the IPL before retiring in 2017 and took 102 wickets in 100 matches.
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