V.V.S. Laxman to Lead India's Support Staff for Zimbabwe Tour and Asian Games
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that V.V.S. Laxman, head of the National Cricket Academy's Centre of Excellence, will lead the support staff for India's upcoming T20I series in Zimbabwe and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He will be joined by batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and bowling coach Sunil Joshi.
The move is designed to provide the senior national team's support staff with a short break following the white-ball series against England, which concludes on July 19. India is scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series in Harare on July 23, 25, and 27, just four days after the England series ends.
Laxman and his team will also oversee the Indian contingent at the Asian Games, which coincides with India's home white-ball series against the West Indies. During that series, head coach Gautam Gambhir will be with the ODI squad.
This is not the first time Laxman has taken charge of a second-string Indian team. He previously led the coaching staff during India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2024, when Shubman Gill captained the side and Abhishek Sharma made his debut. He also served as head coach for the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, while Rahul Dravid was with the senior team for the ODI World Cup.
The BCCI's decision reflects a strategy of rotating coaching personnel to ensure adequate rest and preparation for major tournaments. Laxman's experience with young players and his previous stints with second-string squads make him a suitable choice for these assignments.
