IPL Head Coach Langer Takes Over for Lucknow Super Giants

The Lucknow Super Giants have hired Justin Langer as their new head coach.Langer took over as the Super Giants’ head coach after Andy Flower left the position after the team’s 2022 IPL entry.

Following the two years, in which they twice finished in the top four, LSG made the decision not to renew Flower’s contract.

The franchise’s announcement read: “Lucknow Super Giants are on the journey of building a great story in the IPL,” according to Langer. I’m eager to join the team going ahead since we all have a part to play in that journey.

Despite never having had a coaching post in the IPL, Langer has substantial experience coaching T20 cricket, having guided Perth Scorchers to three Big Bash League titles. Under his leadership, Australia won the T20 World Cup for the first time in the UAE in 2021. He resigned as Australia’s head coach in the beginning of 2022 after turning down a short-term extension.

Gautam Gambhir, the director of cricket for the Super Giants, and he previously worked together in 2015, when Gambhir was seeking to resurrect his international career. A serendipitous meeting in 2014’s now-defunct Champions League T20, when Langer was in charge of the Scorchers and Gambhir was in charge of the Kolkata Knight Riders, led to a one-on-one mentorship arrangement the following year. Gambhir then spent a week in Perth developing his technical abilities and mental toughness via mixed martial arts and gymnastics.

The following is what the Lucknow Supergiants tweeted to bid Andy Flower goodbye and welcome Justin Langer as the league’s new head coach:

 

Gambhir recommended Langer’s name to Sanjiv Goenka, the franchise owner, and Goenka was pleased with the suggestion after speaking with the Australian many times. “I have liked talking with JL. Along with a lot of clarity, he looks to bring a lot of anger. Gautam proposed his name to me. I was quite pleased with him when we spoke. He joining the LSG makes me extremely delighted, the club owner said.

Langer said that he was “impressed with Gambhir’s desire” to improve his game at that juncture in his career after the stint. Gambhir was a key player in India’s victory at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. He had previously led Knight Riders to two IPL titles.

Gambhir and Flower worked well together, and Flower had success with the club that reached the playoffs both seasons. The Super Giants finished third in their first IPL season in 2022, and they were ousted in the Eliminator in IPL 2023.

One of the most experienced coaches on the T20 circuit, Flower is now leading Australia in the men’s Ashes.