LSG appoint Kane Williamson as strategic advisor for IPL 2026 season in a group that contains Langer and Bharat Arun.
Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), announced on social media Thursday that Carl Crowe has joined the team as a spin-bowling coach and that Kane Williamson has joined the squad as a strategic advisor ahead of the 2026 season.
Additionally, the team announced that Bharat Arun would remain the fast-bowling coach and Justin Langer would remain the head coach.
“His leadership, strategic insight, deep understanding of the game, and ability to inspire players make him an invaluable addition to the team,” Goenka wrote of Williamson, the 35-year-old former New Zealand captain.
Williamson said: “I’m really excited to be joining LSG. They have a hugely talented squad and a great group of coaches which I’m looking forward to working alongside. It’s always special being involved in the IPL, the best franchise competition in the game.”
Williamson last represented New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final against India in March of this year. He has been a member of the Super Giants franchise since playing for their Durban club in the SA20. Although he hasn’t officially retired from international cricket yet, his appearances are probably going to be few because he chose to sign a casual deal with New Zealand Cricket.
He is hoping to make a return in the ODIs that follow, but he will miss the forthcoming T20I series against England at home. On October 26, his hometown of Tauranga will host the first of those 50-over games.
“We enter every IPL season full of hope and expectation – 2026 is no exception and we are excited about the work we have ahead of us as we continue building a franchise into one the Goenka family, our players, sponsors, supporters and fans are all immensely proud of,” Langer said. “The work hasn’t stopped since the end of last season as we prepare to make our mark on this season’s IPL. The hope, expectation and passion for LSG is growing strongly. We are looking forward to strengthening our squad in the coming months. And, we look forward to seeing Ekana bathed in blue when the season kicks off.”