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Zaheer Khan to Mentor Lucknow Super Giants’ Fast Bowlers
The Lucknow Super Giants have found a new mentor for their fast bowlers in Zaheer Khan, the former Indian left-arm pacer and current global head of cricket development for the Mumbai Indians. Khan is expected to fill the vacancy created by Gautam Gambhir, who recently left the Super Giants to become the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Khan’s appointment is likely to boost the Super Giants’ bowling department, which struggled in the last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team finished seventh out of eight teams, winning only three out of their 14 matches. Their fast bowlers, in particular, failed to make an impact, with the likes of Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, and Ankit Rajpoot conceding runs at an economy rate of over 9.
Khan, who retired from international cricket in 2015 after playing 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is for India, is known for his mastery of swing and seam bowling. He took 311 Test wickets at an average of 32.94, 282 ODI wickets at 29.43, and 17 T20I wickets at 26.05. He also played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, and Mumbai Indians in the IPL, taking 102 wickets in 100 matches at an economy rate of 7.75.
Khan’s experience and expertise in fast bowling are expected to benefit the Super Giants’ young and inexperienced pacers, such as Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Prasidh Krishna. Mavi and Nagarkoti, both 22, were part of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning team in 2018 but have struggled with injuries and form in the IPL. Krishna, 25, has played only 12 IPL matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders, taking 14 wickets at an economy rate of 9.16.
Khan’s role as a mentor will involve working closely with the Super Giants’ coaching staff, led by former Australian cricketer Simon Katich, and providing guidance and feedback to the bowlers during training sessions and matches. He will also be responsible for scouting and identifying potential fast bowlers for the team’s future needs.
The Super Giants, owned by Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group, will be hoping that Khan’s appointment will help them improve their performance in the upcoming IPL season, which is scheduled to start in April 2022. The team has already made some notable signings in the IPL 2022 auction, including the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Rashid Khan, and Tim Southee, to strengthen their batting and bowling departments.
In conclusion, Zaheer Khan’s appointment as the mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants’ fast bowlers is a positive development for the team and the IPL as a whole. Khan’s vast knowledge and experience in fast bowling will not only benefit the Super Giants but also inspire and educate the next generation of Indian pacers. The IPL has always been a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and learn from the best, and Khan’s presence will only enhance that aspect of the league.