October 9, 2024

Zaheer Khan’s Presence Will Help LSG Players Uplift Their Performance: Jonty Rhodes

Former South African cricketer and current fielding coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Jonty Rhodes, believes that the addition of Zaheer Khan as the new mentor will be highly beneficial for the team. Rhodes emphasized that Zaheer’s calm and composed persona will bring immense value during team meetings and play a crucial role in helping players enhance their performance. As a former India cricketer and experienced leader, Zaheer’s guidance is expected to positively influence the team’s dynamic and strategic approach.

On Wednesday, Zaheer Khan was officially appointed as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants during a formal event held at the RPSG Group Headquarters in Kolkata. His appointment is seen as a significant step in strengthening the leadership team at LSG, with Zaheer bringing years of experience both as a player and coach. The franchise looks forward to his contributions in shaping their performance in the upcoming IPL seasons.

“Zaheer Khan will definitely bring the calmness in the team. Having someone like Zak (Zaheer Khan) around will be of great help for the franchise. The team meetings, selections meetings, franchise meetings with owners you need calm head because the tournament goes up and down as per results, you need that support and consistency. Fortunately, we had that support earlier too, on and off the field but we need to continue that.”

“Team is no longer a brand new franchise it has been around for three years now, so obviously the pressure is there to perform. We need to acheive what we plan, to reach playoffs, we haven’t reached final yet, so with Zak and his calmness I think it will be very important for the franchise also with the technique and bowling experience that he carries will benefit franchise,” Rhodes told IANS.

Zaheer Khan will step into the mentor role at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), filling the vacancy left by Gautam Gambhir following his departure after IPL 2023. The 45-year-old former India pacer joins a coaching staff that includes Justin Langer as head coach, with Lance Klusener and Adam Voges serving as assistant coaches. Notably, the team is still without a bowling coach after Morne Morkel left to take on the same position with the Indian national team.

In IPL 2024, LSG finished seventh on the points table, recording seven wins and seven losses. The team will be looking to improve its performance under the new coaching setup, with Zaheer’s experience and strategic insights expected to play a key role in their future campaigns.

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‘Want MS Dhoni to Play in IPL 2025’: World Cup Winner Feels New Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Needs Another Year With CSK Icon

Though IPL 2025 is still seven to eight months away, discussions and speculations are already gaining momentum. The BCCI and IPL franchises are currently in talks regarding the details of the mega auction scheduled for later this year. One of the primary points of debate is whether a mega auction is necessary at such a short interval, alongside the player retention policy. The potential introduction of a new retention rule has also sparked speculation about whether MS Dhoni might continue as a player for one more season, which has left fans eagerly awaiting updates.

Amidst these ongoing discussions, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina has voiced his opinion that Dhoni should extend his playing career with CSK for at least another season. Raina highlighted Dhoni’s impressive batting performance in IPL 2024 and suggested that new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad needs more time to grow into his leadership role. Raina believes Dhoni’s presence would continue to provide invaluable support to the team and help Gaikwad transition smoothly as the future leader of the iconic franchise.

As captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni guided the team to five IPL titles, tying the record for the most championships in the competition’s history. Earlier this year, Dhoni stepped down from his leadership role, paving the way for Ruturaj Gaikwad to take over as captain. Despite Gaikwad’s promotion, CSK fell short in IPL 2024, finishing fifth on the points table and missing out on the playoffs.

The team’s inability to qualify for the playoffs has led to discussions about the leadership transition, with some suggesting that Gaikwad may need more time to grow into his role. Dhoni’s experience and success as captain have raised questions about whether he might make a return as a player to help guide the team through this period of change.

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Raina Advocates for Dhoni’s IPL 2025 Return Amid Uncertainty on His Future

“I want MS Dhoni to play in IPL 2025, considering how he batted last year,” Raina told Sports Tak. “I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad needs one more year, the way he captained and a lot of things were said after the loss to RCB. However, Ruturaj has done a great job.”

Dhoni though himself is unsure of his participation next season and says the ball is in the court of the IPL governing council.

“There is a lot of time for it (to decide on IPL future),” Dhoni had said last month. “We have to see what decision they take on player retention etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court. So, once the rules and regulations get formalised, I will take a call, but it needs to be in the best interest of the team.”

CricketNext previously reported that the BCCI is considering reinstating the old player retention rule, which classifies players who have been retired from international cricket for five years as uncapped. If this rule is reintroduced, it would allow Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player, providing a significant advantage for the franchise.

This potential change has fueled speculation about Dhoni’s future with CSK, as it would open the door for his continued involvement with the team in a non-capped capacity. The rule could help CSK keep their legendary leader on the roster, possibly extending his on-field presence and influence for another season.

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