VVS Laxman is back as Team India’s head coach, set to work with KL Rahul & Co. on the Zimbabwe tour
VVS Laxman is back as Team India’s head coach, set to work with KL Rahul & Co. on the Zimbabwe tour. National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman is set to be India’s acting head coach for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. There is only a short turnaround time between the Zimbabwe tour and the Asia Cup starting on August 27 in the UAE.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on August 12, “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. 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.”
The three ODIs in Zimbabwe are set to be played in Harare on August 18th, 20th, and 22nd.
Shah also informed that KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda will be directly flying from Dubai to Harare as they are in the Asia Cup squad.
When the Indian team was in the United Kingdom in June-July, Laxman was with the T20 squad in Ireland. On the other hand, Dravid was with the Test squad in England.
KL Rahul is set to make a comeback to the national squad after recuperating from sports hernia surgery.
He was initially not included in the Zimbabwe squad. But since the medical team has given a green flag indicating his fitness, he will be with the team for the three ODIs. This session will be good practice for him ahead of the big-ticket Asia Cup.
Regarding the Asia Cup, the BCCI had announced a 15-member squad that does not include Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is missing out due to an injury.
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli will be returning for the event. There has been no place for Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. The latter two players are a part of the three-match One Day International series against Zimbabwe. The Indian Cricket squad is led by KL Rahul after he was deemed to be fit by the medical team.