Over the last few seasons, Lucknow Super Giants have stood on uncertain ground. Their debut campaign in 2022 promised much, but they failed to maintain consistency in the years that followed. They reached the playoffs twice but lost rhythm later and finished seventh in the next two seasons.
The franchise has tried to steady its ship through frequent backroom changes. It aims to build a unit that reflects balance and experience. Justin Langer arrived as head coach and brought some stability. The management keeps reshaping the support staff to find a winning formula.
According to the Times of India, the franchise’s latest move shows a fresh turn. Lucknow reportedly brought in Kane Williamson as their new strategic advisor. He joins the team not as a player but as a guiding presence. Owner, Dr Sanjiv Goenka, personally made the request. He wanted Williamson’s cricketing knowledge to strengthen the setup. Williamson reads match situations well and mentors young players with patience, which could make a big difference.
The team ended their association with mentor Zaheer Khan after a short stint. They then hired Bharat Arun as bowling coach. Arun worked with the Indian team and Kolkata Knight Riders, which gave him a deep understanding of player growth. Reports from Revsportz confirm that Carl Crowe, who coached with KKR earlier, will join as spin bowling coach.
This experienced group strengthens Lucknow’s structure. Still, the team must manage the all-Indian pace unit carefully. Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan all suffered injuries last season, which hurt the squad. Young bowlers like Digvesh Rathi and Prince Yadav showed promise, but the team still relied heavily on overseas batters Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran to carry their innings.
Why Williamson’s move matters?
Kane Williamson’s return to the IPL in a non-playing role adds another chapter to his close link with the league. His time with SunRisers Hyderabad left a strong mark. The 25-year-old joined the team in 2015 and helped them win the title in 2016. When David Warner stepped away in 2018, Williamson led SRH to the final and earned wide respect for his leadership. That same season, he scored 735 runs and won the Orange Cap.
Across 79 matches, Williamson scored 2,128 runs with 18 fifties at a strike rate of 125.62. He played for the Gujarat Titans in 2023 but suffered a knee injury in the first match, which ended his season early. Despite that, he kept his reputation strong.
The Kiwi went unsold in the 2025 auction, but this new role lets him influence the game differently. Lucknow gain a mentor with deep insight, and Williamson finds a new purpose in shaping a team’s future. This partnership feels right. The team seeks direction, and Williamson stands ready to provide it. If Lucknow follow his advice, they might finally turn their potential into success.
