Kane Williamson is returning to the Indian Premier League — but not in the way fans might expect. The New Zealand legend won’t be stepping out with the bat in hand this time. Instead, he’s gearing up for a new challenge as the Strategic Advisor for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.
After years of dazzling fans with his calm leadership and elegant stroke play, Williamson is now ready to guide the next generation. His appointment marks a significant move by Lucknow, who are looking to blend experience and innovation as they rebuild for the new season.
A New Chapter in Williamson’s IPL Journey
Few overseas players have been as admired in the IPL as Kane Williamson. From his early days with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to his brief stint with Gujarat Titans, he has been the epitome of consistency and class.
Over 77 innings, Williamson scored 2,128 runs at an average of 35.46, including 18 half-centuries, and was instrumental in SRH’s 2016 IPL title win.
However, injuries and team reshuffles saw him fade from the playing XI in recent seasons. After going unsold in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, fans feared they’d seen the last of him in the tournament. But Williamson’s cricketing brain was too valuable to ignore — and now, he returns in a mentorship role to help shape LSG’s strategy from behind the scenes.
Lucknow’s New Brain Trust Looks Promising
The Super Giants are clearly aiming big this season. With Rishabh Pant stepping in as captain, Williamson’s tactical insight could prove invaluable for the young leader.
The franchise has also built a formidable backroom staff — led by Justin Langer, the seasoned Australian coach who guided his national team to the T20 World Cup 2021 and 2019 Ashes triumph. Add to that Bharat Arun as bowling coach and Lance Klusener as assistant coach, and Lucknow now boasts one of the most experienced think tanks in the league.
With Williamson’s calm intelligence and Langer’s fiery determination, Lucknow Super Giants might just be ready to script their most successful IPL campaign yet.
