Justin Langer ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/justin-langer-6256) is in advanced discussions with Lucknow Super Giants to join the IPL franchise as their new head coach.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that Langer is the frontrunner to replace Andy Flower ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/andy-flower-55427), who served as the head coach at Super Giants since the franchise became a part of the IPL in 2022. It is understood that Super Giants did not renew Flower’s contract after the end of the two-year term.
Asked whether the deal with Langer had been finalised, Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka declined to comment. Langer, too, didn’t respond to a query from ESPNcricinfo.
Flower, who worked closely with Gautam Gambhir, Super Giants’ director of cricket, had a good run with the franchise, who finished in the playoffs in both their seasons so far. In 2022, their first season in the IPL, Super Giants finished third, and in IPL 2023, they were knocked out in the Eliminator.
One of the most established coaches in the T20 circuit, Flower is currently in a consultancy role ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andy-flower-joins-australia-coaching-staff-for-wtc-ashes-1379960) with Australia at the men’s Ashes.
Langer has never held a coaching role in the IPL but has a rich pedigree as a coach in T20 cricket, having helmed Perth Scorchers to three Big Bash League titles. He was also the head coach when Australia won the T20 World Cup for the first time in 2021 in the UAE. He resigned as Australia’s head coach early in 2022 after rejecting a short-term extension offer.
