Zaheer Khan meets Rohit Sharma amid reports of leaving LSG ahead of IPL 2026

Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has reportedly parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Zaheer joined the franchise last year as a mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who took over India’s head coach after Rahul Dravid’s departure. Zaheer also worked as the bowling coach of LSG.

Zaheer Khan leaves LSG?

According to a report in the Times of India, LSG is planning to give a bigger role to a new mentor who will also oversee RPSG Group’s other franchises, including Durban’s Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Originals in The Hundred. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, currently in the UK, is expected to announce a Director of Cricket to manage these teams.

“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,” a source was quoted as saying to TOI.

Earlier reports suggested that head coach Justin Langer could be replaced, with Zaheer Khan possibly stepping in as the new head coach of Lucknow Super Giants following a disappointing IPL 2025 season. However, at the time of writing this story, both the head coach and mentor positions are vacant on LSG’s official Wikipedia page.

Zaheer’s reported departure comes after a few changes in LSG’s coaching setup. Last month, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun was appointed as the new bowling coach. Zaheer had replaced South Africa pacer Morne Morkel in his dual role at Lucknow. Morkel went on to join Gambhir in the Indian team as bowling coach.

Zaheer meets Rohit, Yuvraj

Meanwhile, Zaheer shared met former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh recently. He shared a photo on social media with the caption, “Buggi night with Shana log.”

Zaheer previously served as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 before taking on the role of Head of Global Development of the same franchise.