Asian Games 2023: National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman to coach Indian cricket team at Hangzhou

National Cricket Academy chief and former India batsman VVS Laxman will be the Indian team’s coach at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September-October because there is an overlap in schedule with the 50-over World Cup being hosted in India. The BCCI is fielding a B team for the Asian Games captained Rituraj Gaikwad.
The BCCI has also decided to give Rahul Dravid a break after the on-going West Indies series so Laxman will also step in for the three-match T20 series against Ireland next month.
Like Dravid, the support staff will also be given a break after the series in the West Indies. Other than Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip will get a breather ahead of the Asia Cup.
“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,” a BCCI official said.
The West Indies series comprises two-Tests, three ODIs and five-match T20 series. The last two games of the T20 series will be played in Florida, USA.
This is not the first time Laxman will be the acting head coach of the Indian team. After the Indian team’s semifinal exit from the T20 World Cup last year, Laxman stepped in for the New Zealand series.
The national selection committee is yet to pick the team for the Ireland series.
Agarkar to travel to West Indies
The newly-appointed chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar will travel to the West Indies in a few days. He will be having discussions with the Indian team management, namely coach Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, about the roadmap for the 50-over World Cup.