The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has come to an end after a season filled with both excitement and disappointments. Just 48 hours after its conclusion, franchises are already eager to make changes as they plan for future endeavours. The Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) disappointing campaign in IPL 2025 has left fans and stakeholders searching for answers. Despite boasting a promising lineup filled with match-winners, the team failed to live up to expectations and missed out on playoff qualification, sparking widespread scrutiny of the franchise’s management and strategic decisions.
Zaheer Khan’s future uncertain with LSG
According to a report by Cricbuzz, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan’s contract is unlikely to be renewed following the team’s disappointing performance this season. Zaheer was brought in as mentor shortly before last year’s IPL auction on a short-term, one-year deal. Additionally, Lucknow’s head coach Justin Langer is also under scrutiny as his contract approaches renewal. But the report indicates that Zaheer’s future is currently the primary focus.
Meanwhile, the reports further stated that the LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, known for his deep passion for the game, is deeply disappointed by the team’s performance and is considering several changes. Goenka was regularly seen in the stands, cheering for his team and engaging with players after matches. He drew widespread attention last year following a heated exchange with KL Rahul after Lucknow suffered a crushing defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024.
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Lucknow’s disappointing run in IPL 2025
Lucknow had a disappointing run in IPL 2025 under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant. After a strong start, winning five of their first eight matches, their campaign took a sharp downturn with a string of consecutive losses. The team ultimately finished seventh on the points table with just six wins in fourteen games. This marks the second consecutive season that Lucknow failed to secure a spot in the top four.
Zaheer was signed before the season to strengthen LSG’s already fragile bowling attack. However, the team struggled significantly in this department, conceding multiple 200-plus totals and failing to defend several high scores. The bowling unit’s inconsistent performances were a major factor in the team’s overall disappointing campaign, raising questions about the effectiveness of the mentoring and strategies implemented.
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