”We’ll have to play good cricket, which is the most significant factor’- LSG coach Zaheer Khan ahead of IPL 2025

Zaheer Khan, the coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has been candid about the team’s preparations as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season draws nearer. Zaheer, who has also taken on the position of bowling coach, emphasised the significance of playing good cricket and showed confidence in LSG’s strategy while acknowledging the difficulties that lie ahead.

After Gautam Gambhir left to rejoin the Kolkata Knight Riders and eventually take over as head coach of the Indian men’s team, the former Indian pacer assumed the post of mentor at LSG. Following Morne Morkel’s departure to join Gambhir’s coaching staff, Zaheer has informally assumed the duties of a bowling coach in addition to mentoring. Zaheer offers a wealth of expertise to the Lucknow-based team, having served as the Director of Cricket for the Mumbai Indians and Head of Global Development from 2018 to 2022.

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction, LSG made a significant decision by letting go of their former captain, KL Rahul. While acquiring Rishabh Pant in a record-breaking INR 27 crore bid, making him the most expensive player in IPL history, the team kept players like Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi. The former cricket player for India discussed the significance of these signings while emphasising that LSG’s success in the 2025 Indian Premier League would depend heavily on tactical choices.

All of these are tactical in nature. We examine the versatility of the format game by game. Each team enjoys evaluating their opponent and the outcome they hope to get from competition. Therefore, before making a decision, we will consider these factors carefully and give them weight. The most important thing is that we must play good cricket, and we will be thinking about these things. He responded to a question during a media appearance organised by LSG, saying, “But whatever tactically occurs, we cannot reveal them here to you.”

The more seasoned players should teach the younger ones: Zaheer Khan

As a mentor, Zaheer is especially excited to help the team’s young cricket players. He emphasised that the IPL is a stage on which up-and-coming talent may excel given the correct direction.

“You can tell that there will undoubtedly be some game buzzes when the IPL season arrives. those who have the chance to use this platform to display their talents. Therefore, there will undoubtedly always be talented game bowlers. And they will improve if they receive sound advice. They can make good use of this platform,” he continued.

The 46-year-old disclosed that young cricket players should interact with and pick up tips from more seasoned players. Additionally, he clarified that even while the tournament’s magnitude overwhelms them, they must continue to approach it as a game.

“They shouldn’t abandon everything they did prior to entering the IPL. The grandeur of this tournament may overwhelm them, but it’s only a game, and the way it works is that you get to the point after playing a decent game, and if you concentrate on that, you’ll advance. They must acquire as much knowledge as possible. Additionally, spending time with seasoned players and asking them how they might succeed in various scenarios benefits them,” Khan said.