Trust Ended in Just One Season, Now Preparations to Oust Him from LSG! Team Surprises Everyone

The IPL 2025 season may have ended recently, but several teams have already begun preparations for the next edition. Among them, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Despite showing strong faith before the season by backing Rishabh Pant with a record-breaking bid and strengthening the coaching staff with big names, LSG's performance fell short of expectations. Now, the franchise is reportedly considering dropping a key veteran from the team.

Zaheer Khan’s Position Under Threat After Disappointing Season

Following LSG’s underwhelming performance—winning just 6 out of 14 matches and finishing seventh—the team’s management has started reassessing strategies. According to Cricbuzz, mentor Zaheer Khan’s future with the franchise is uncertain. Questions are being raised about his role after the team failed to reach the playoffs under captain Rishabh Pant.

Zaheer was appointed as LSG’s mentor ahead of the 2025 mega auction on a one-year contract. Sources suggest the franchise is not satisfied with his impact, and the contract renewal appears unlikely. Although Zaheer, along with Pant, promoted an aggressive and fearless style of play, injuries and poor form from key players hindered their plans. Particularly, Pant’s batting struggles became a talking point. Nevertheless, Zaheer remained supportive of Pant and praised his late-season century.

Zaheer Khan’s IPL Journey and Past Associations

Zaheer Khan’s IPL experience is extensive. From 2018 to 2022, he worked with the Mumbai Indians franchise as Director of Cricket and later as Head of Global Development. As a player, he represented three IPL teams — Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils — playing 100 matches over ten seasons. Zaheer took 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58 and last featured as a player in the IPL in 2017.

LSG’s decision to potentially part ways with Zaheer signals a major shake-up as they look to bounce back strongly in IPL 2026.