VVS Laxman to be India’s coach for Zimbabwe ODIs

The National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman will be acting as the head coach of India on the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, in the absence of regular head coach Rahul Dravid, who is set to leave for the UAE with India’s T20I side for the Asia Cup 2022. Laxman was also India’s coach during the tour of Ireland as there was a simultaneous Test tour of the Indian team to England.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Laxman will be in charge of the Indian side for the three-match ODI series, but confirmed that Rahul Dravid is not taking any break. He mentioned that the difference between the Asia Cup squad leaving for the UAE and the Zimbabwe tour coming to an end has just a one-day interval and added that Dravid would have to be with the T20I squad rather than the ODI one.

“Yes, VVS Laxman will be in charge of the Indian team in Zimbabwe for the three-match ODI series. It’s not like Rahul Dravid is taking a break. The ODI series in Zimbabwe finishes on August 22 and Dravid along with the Indian team will reach the UAE on August 23,” Jay Shah was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

Since there is a little gap between the two events, Laxman will be in charge of the Indian squad in Zimbabwe. Since only KL and Hooda are there with the ODI squad in Zimbabwe, it was only logical that the head coach would be with the T20 squad,” he added.