Former India batter and National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman might play the role of Team India’s head coach for the 5-match T20I series against Australia, starting a week after the conclusion of the ODI World Cup.
Rahul Dravid’s contract is set to end following the ongoing showpiece event while the BCCI has the option of requesting the former India captain to reapply as the board will have to re-invite applications for the post as per the norm. However, it will be interesting to see if the 51-year-old would like to continue as head coach of the national team.
ICC World Cup: Schedule | Results | Points Table | Most Runs | Most Wickets
As reported by news agency PTI, Dravid is likely to return to the IPL set-up after completing his tenure. The former Rajasthan Royals captain has previously coached Delhi Capitals before joining the Royals.
But it is highly likely that Dravid, as well as the entire squad save Suryakumar Yadav, will be given much-needed rest after a gruelling campaign in which they had to travel more than 10,000 km across the country.
“VVS Laxman has always been in charge when Rahul has taken a break and the same thing is likely to continue for the series just after the World Cup,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI.
In case fresh applications are invited, Laxman could be a solid candidate as BCCI has created a process, where the person in charge of NCA and knows the system and pathways inside out, is prepared for the role.
Most of the members in the T20 squad for the Australia series will comprise of players, who were part of the T20 series in the West Indies, Ireland and the Asian Games as the big boys like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah will be given a break to freshen up for the big ticket series against South Africa where India play three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests.
If Laxman comes on board, Sitansu Kotak will be the batting coach. Kotak is also expected to be the coach of India ‘A’ team for the shadow tour of South Africa.
The five-match T20 series against Australia will begin in Visakhapatnam on November 23.
Comments
0 comment