Zaheer Khan, the former India fast bowler and the new mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has provided his support to the new ‘Impact Player’ rule that has been in use in the IPL for the last two seasons.
Khan feels that the Impact Player rule has provided new opportunities for many uncapped players to play a game in the cash rich tournament. He also feels that the franchises will not start to pick more such players in the upcoming mega auction ahead of the IPL 2025.
I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it. It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. This will become evident in the mega auction when teams start focusing on these players. The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus. If you are a genuine all-rounder, no one can stop you.Zaheer Khan said at the press-conference after being appointed as the LSG mentor
The Impact Player rule has faced criticism from many personalities, especially from the two stalwarts of Indian Team- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sharma feels that the Impact Player rule stunts the growth of an all-rounder who will be important in international cricket, while Kohli feels that it disrupts the balance of the playing XI.
Zaheer Khan has been appointed as the mentor of LSG after Gautam Gambhir left for KKR ahead of IPL 2024
Gautam Gambhir, left the position of LSG mentor ahead of IPL 2024 and moved to KKR as their mentor. He guided the LSG team to two consecutive playoffs during his stay in Lucknow and also guided KKR to their third IPL title after becoming their mentor.
Meanwhile, Gambhir is now the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team. The position of mentor of LSG is vacant since the start of the last season and Khan will now fulfil the role from the upcoming season.
Moreover, the former bowling coach of LSG, Morne Morkel, left LSG and is now the bowling coach of Team India. So Khan will also provide his expertize to LSG as the bowling coach. The World Cup winner has also served the mentor of Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
He is a seasoned campaigner and has been the legendary bowler for Team India during his playing career. He has featured in 92 Test match, picked up 311 wickets at an average of 32.9. Khan has also played 200 ODIs, picked up 282 wickets, at an average of 29.4 and an economy rate of 4.93. He has played 100 IPL matches, scalped 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58 and an average of 27.3.
In case you have missed it: