In an interesting development for Indian cricket, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief and former India batsman, VVS Laxman, will step in as the coach for the Indian cricket team during the three-match T20 series against Ireland next month. This decision comes as Rahul Dravid, who is currently coaching the team, is set to take a well-deserved break after the ongoing series against the West Indies.
Laxman’s role as coach doesn’t end there, as he has been assigned the responsibility of guiding the Indian team at the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, scheduled for September-October. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided on this arrangement due to a scheduling conflict with the 50-over World Cup being hosted in India during the same period. To balance the commitments, the BCCI will field a B team for the Asian Games, with Rituraj Gaikwad leading the side.
With the rigorous West Indies series in progress, the BCCI deemed it essential to provide adequate rest to both the players and the coaching staff. Therefore, besides Dravid, the supporting staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, will also be given a much-needed breather ahead of the Asia Cup.
Speaking about the decision, a BCCI official stated, “They have a long series (in West Indies) and as the team for Ireland is likely to be a second string team, it was thought that VVS should go with the team. He will be the coach for the Asian Games too.”
This is not the first time VVS Laxman has served as the acting head coach of the Indian cricket team. Previously, he filled in during the New Zealand series after the Indian team’s semifinal exit from the T20 World Cup last year, showcasing his experience and expertise in guiding the team.
As of now, the national selection committee is yet to finalize the squad for the Ireland series. However, it is expected that the team will consist of promising young talents and players who are currently not part of the West Indies series.
Meanwhile, the newly-appointed chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, is set to embark on a trip to the West Indies shortly. During his visit, Agarkar will engage in discussions with the Indian team management, including coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, to chart out the roadmap for the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
As the news of VVS Laxman taking over the coaching reins spreads, it is likely to create a buzz among cricket enthusiasts. His previous stints as the acting head coach have been well-received, and fans will be eager to see how he leads the young Indian side against Ireland. The combination of fresh talent and experienced coaching could prove to be a winning formula, attracting maximum attention to the team’s performance in the series.
