Sanjiv Goenka Talks About KL Rahul’s Future with LSG and Welcomes Zaheer Khan as New Mentor

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 28: Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), spoke about the speculation surrounding franchise skipper KL Rahul’s future with the team ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. On Wednesday, LSG introduced former India seamer Zaheer Khan as the new mentor for the upcoming season.

Zaheer Khan will take over the role from Gautam Gambhir, who left after IPL 2023 to mentor the Kolkata Knight Riders, leading them to the IPL 2024 title. Speaking to the media in Kolkata alongside Zaheer, Goenka emphasized the importance of making medium-term decisions and maintaining the team’s core. He confirmed that coach Justin Langer, along with support staff Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes, will continue with the team.

Goenka also addressed the rumors about KL Rahul, stating, “I have been meeting KL on and off regularly over the last three years. I am surprised this meeting is getting a lot of attention [in the media]. He is integral [to LSG]. He has been here since the inception. For me personally and for [my son] Shashwat [Goenka], he is like family.”

In IPL 2024, KL Rahul faced criticism for his strike rate despite being among the top 10 run-getters, scoring 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14, with four fifties.

Zaheer Khan, who played for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He played 100 IPL matches, taking 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59. Post-retirement, Zaheer was involved with the Mumbai Indians as director of cricket and head of global development from 2018 to 2022. In his international career, Zaheer took 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and 610 wickets in 309 international matches across all formats, making him one of the greatest left-arm pacers in cricket history.