Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer doesn’t think there is a possible rivalry brewing between his side and former mentor of the franchise Gautam Gambhir. The Australian made this claim while speaking in a press meet recently at LSG’s home ground of Ekana Stadium in Lucknow where the KL Rahul-led side is currently practicing. The Super Giants are training rigorously for their IPL 2024 opener against Rajasthan Royals on March 24.
As we all know, Gautam Gambhir has been mentoring Lucknow Super Giants for the past 2 seasons, since the franchise’s inception in 2022. The 2011 World Cup winner was a key part of the previous LSG management which had Andy Flower as the head coach. But the entire coaching staff was dismantled before the auctions of the 2024 season with LSG appointing Justin Langer as head coach and Gambhir switching allegiance to KKR, his former franchise as a player.
Justin Langer shrugs off rivalry concerns with Gautam Gambhir, claims he’s a very good friend
When asked about the face-off between LSG and KKR later on in the season, Justin Langer shrugged off all sorts of rivalry tension between him and Gautam Gambhir. The reporters wanted to know if there is any Bad Blood between LSG and Gambhir after parting their ways before this season and after 2 successful seasons.
To that, Justin Langer stated that he is, in fact, quite disappointed to have missed out on the chance to work with Gambhir in his two years with the North Indian outfit. The former opening batsman further stated that he is very good friends with Gambhir and said that he also has good friendships with the likes of Ricky Ponting in DC as well as Fleming and Mike Hussey in CSK.
“There is no face-off. I was disappointed when he left for KKR but he is a hero at KKR. We are good friends. But then we play DC, where my good friend Ricky Ponting is the coach. Then at CSK, Stephen Fleming and Michael Hussey are good friends.” – Langer said in a recent press meet.
The Andy Flower and Gautam Gambhir-led management had guided LSG to back-to-back play-offs but were knocked out from the Eliminator tie on both occasions. Frustrated with their inability to enter the final, the Sanjiv Goenka-backed franchise went all the way to Justin Langer’s services.
Under a new coaching regime, LSG will hope to take that one step forward to reach the final and possibly become the first from North India to win the coveted title.
Justin Langer in love with Amit Mishra’s energy
While speaking about the players he has in LSG, Justin Langer had a special mention for veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra who will be playing his 14th IPL season. The Australian, who became the first head coach to lead the Aussies towards their maiden ICC T20 WC title in 2021, heaped praise on Mishra by saying that he hasn’t seen a pure leg-spinner like him in his life.
“He is an outstanding bowler. I love his energy. I have watched his training. There’s no better pure leg-spinner than Mishi.” – Langer concluded.
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