IPL: Kane Williamson joins LSG; welcomed by owner Sanjiv Goenka

Lucknow Super Giants proprietor Sanjiv Goenka announced that erstwhile New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has joined the franchise arsenic their caller Strategic Advisor up of IPL 2026. The franchise, which finished seventh successful the 2025 season, volition beryllium looking to rebuild aft a disappointing run contempt boasting immoderate of the biggest names successful satellite cricket, including Rishabh Pant — who became the highest-paid subordinate successful IPL past with a ₹27 crore woody astatine the auction.

“Kane has been a portion of the Super Giants household and it’s an implicit delight to invited him successful his caller role,” Goenka shared connected X. “His leadership, strategical insight, heavy knowing of the game, and quality to animate players marque him an invaluable summation to the team.” As reported earlier by TOI, Williamson replaces Zaheer Khan, who served arsenic LSG’s mentor past season. The assignment reflects Goenka’s long-standing admiration for the Kiwi star’s calm enactment and tactical sharpness, traits that helped New Zealand punch supra their value successful planetary tournaments.Also read: Kane Williamson to beryllium Lucknow Super Giants' strategical adviser; Justin Langer retained arsenic caput coach, Carl Crowe appointed rotation coach Williamson, 35, remains an progressive planetary cricketer but opted retired of New Zealand’s cardinal declaration to research franchise opportunities. Over his illustrious career, helium has scored 9,276 runs successful 105 Tests and 7,236 runs successful 173 ODIs, with an mean and temperament that fertile among the finest successful modern cricket. In the IPL, Williamson represented Sunrisers Hyderabad for respective years, adjacent starring them to the 2018 final, earlier abbreviated stints with Gujarat Titans. Now, his relation astatine Lucknow volition beryllium astir shaping the team’s cricketing blueprint alongside caput manager Justin Langer.