Kevin Pietersen And...? 3 Star Players Who Returned To IPL As Mentors

Jatin

Kevin Pietersen has been appointed Delhi Capitals' mentor [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Kevin Pietersen has been appointed Delhi Capitals' mentor [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

The IPL has always been a stage for legends and while some players bid farewell to their playing days, they often find their way back in different roles. From calling the shots with the bat and ball to now mentoring the next generation, some of the game’s finest have returned to the league, this time behind the scenes.

Ahead of IPL 2025, let's take a cloer look at 3 former players who returned to the tournament, not to smash sixes or rattle stumps but to pass on their cricketing wisdom and help shape their franchises.

1. Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Kevin Pietersen [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

England veteran Kevin Pietersen has always been an entertainer with his attacking batting and his clever cricketing mind. He is now back with Delhi Capitals (DC) as their mentor for IPL 2025 and it marks a full-circle moment for a player who led the franchise more than a decade ago in IPL 2014.

As a player, Pietersen featured in 36 IPL matches, scoring 1,001 runs at an impressive strike rate of 134.72, including one century and four fifties. His aggressive batting style made him an absolute fan favourite and he represented multiple teams including Delhi Daredevils (now DC), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiant.

Unfortunately, his stint as DC captain in 2014 didn’t go as planned as the team finished last with just two wins. But this time, he's back in a different role, looking to guide the franchise to its first IPL title.

With Delhi making major changes to their coaching setup by bringing in Hemang Badani as head coach and Munaf Patel as the bowling coach, Kevin Pietersen’s presence as mentor could be the X-factor that DC needs to change their fortunes in IPL 2025.

2. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Vipintiwari952, @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Vipintiwari952, @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]

Gautam Gambhir’s IPL career is nothing short of legendary. In 154 matches, he scored 4,217 runs at an average of 31.24 with a strike rate of 123.88. He never scored a century but racked up 36 fifties and was a consistent run-getter. He was the backbone of KKR’s 2012 and 2014 title wins and under his leadership, KKR became one of the most feared teams in the league.

Before rejoining KKR, Gambhir also had a successful stint as mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022 and 2023, guiding them to back-to-back playoff appearances. However, after being appointed as India's coach, he had to relinquish KKR mentor's role. But his impact on KKR’s remarkable turnaround in 2024 will not be forgotten anytime soon.

3. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan [Source: @FarziCricketer/x.com]Zaheer Khan [Source: @FarziCricketer/x.com]

With Gambhir leaving to coach the Indian team, LSG needed an able replacement and they roped in in a legend of their own in the form of Zaheer Khan. The former India pacer has joined LSG as mentor and bowling coach for IPL 2025, looking to strengthen their pace attack and tactical approach.

Zaheer was a force in the IPL, playing 100 matches across 10 seasons and taking 102 wickets at an economy of 7.58. The Indian stalwart plied his trade for DC, RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI) where he became famous for his lethal swing bowling and clever variations.

After retiring from the IPL in 2017, he moved into a coaching role with Mumbai Indians, serving as their Director of Cricket and later handling global development.

Now at Lucknow Super Giants, Zaheer has a new challenge: to fill the void left by Gambhir and help LSG go beyond the playoffs and fight for their first title. His experience as a bowler, his calm approach under pressure and his strategic insights could be game-changing for the franchise.