Former Indian middle-order batter VVS Laxman, who is currently the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, could join the Lucknow Super Giants. According to a report in the Times of India on Sunday (July 21), the Lucknow-based franchise’s management has expressed interest in roping the 49-year-old former Indian cricketer as part of its coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2025.
The former right-handed batter’s contract as NCA head is ending in September, and he is unlikely to sign an extension. The reports add that the LSG management has had informal talks with Laxman.
Laxman, who was the captain of the Deccan Chargers in the first season of the IPL back in 2008, has previously served as the mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL before taking up the NCA job in November 2021.
The legendary batter was also in the race to become the head coach of the Indian team after Rahul Dravid, but he declined the offer. However, during his stint as NCA head, on a number of occasions, the Hyderabad-based former cricketer served as India’s stand-in head coach.
He travelled with the Shubman Gill-led Indian team to Zimbabwe earlier this month, and under his guidance, the young Indian team bounced back from a shocking defeat by 13 runs in the series opener to win the away assignment by a margin of 4-1.
Rathour to replace Laxman at NCA
According to reports, former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour is set to replace Laxman as the head of the NCA after his contract ends in September.
“It is very likely that you may see Rathour heading NCA. For now, a call on VVS Laxman’s contract renewal is pending, but the conversation from his side is not positive,” the source was quoted as saying by Sports Tak.
“Rathour might be asked to take charge at NCA. The BCCI secretary (Jay Shah) after the ICC meeting is likely to have a word with VVS to understand his side,” the source added.
The 55-year-old Rathour, who has played six Tests and seven ODIs for India in the 1990s, was appointed as India’s batting coach in August 2019 and was retained by Rahul Dravid when he took charge of Team India in November 2021.
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