Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
Tom Moody is set to join Lucknow Super Giants as their global director of cricket and the announcement is imminent, RevSportz understands. Moody, the former Australia all-rounder and one of the most respected coaches in the circuit, will be in charge of the all RP Sanjiv Goenka Group (RPSG)-owned franchises — LSG, Durban’s Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Originals in The Hundred. This will mark Moody’s return to the IPL after 2022.
LSG had appointed Zaheer Khan in a similar role ahead of the 2025 IPL, but things didn’t quite work out as planned, and the franchise and the former India fast bowler have parted ways. After a strong start in the last edition of the IPL — five wins in their first eight games — LSG surrendered the initiative, finishing seventh. They reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, but failed to qualify for the knockouts in the following two seasons.
LSG have retained Justin Langer as their head coach, while roping in New Zealand great Kane Williamson as strategic advisor. As regards Moody, he had a very successful first stint as Sunrisers Hyderabad coach from 2013 to 2019, guiding the team to the IPL title in 2016. He returned to SRH as their director of cricket in 2021 followed by assuming the role of the head coach next year.
In The Hundred, Moody presided over Oval Invincibles’ three titles on the spin, and the London-based franchise, co-owned by the Reliance Industries Limited, were said to be keen to retain him. But LSG are offering him a larger role, a reason why the 60-year-old has nodded in the affirmative.