Report: VVS Laxman to Assume Role as New Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Succeeding Rahul Dravid

The former India captain assumed a two-year contract in 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri as the head coach following the T20 World Cup. Despite Team India’s performance falling short of expectations during his tenure, recent reports suggested a potential contract extension for Rahul Dravid, particularly following the team’s World Cup showing.

However, Dravid has communicated his lack of interest in continuing as the head coach to the BCCI. According to The Times of India, the cricketing legend is expected to be succeeded by his former teammate VVS Laxman. Laxman is presently serving as the interim head coach for a second-string Indian team in the upcoming 5-match T20I series against Australia.

The report indicates that Laxman has expressed eagerness for the coaching role, having met with BCCI officials during the World Cup. It is anticipated that he will sign a long-term contract as the head coach of Team India. His first assignment in this capacity is likely to be the upcoming tour of South Africa, marking a significant transition from his current interim role.

The source added that Rahul Dravid, following years of a demanding schedule as a player and coach, desires to be closer to his family. Unlikely to accept a full-time coaching role, the former Indian batter is open to taking on the position of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head.

The Legacy Continues: Dravid’s Potential Transition to NCA Head Role

“Dravid has conveyed to the BCCI that he is not inclined to continue as a full-time coach. Having traveled with the Indian team for nearly 20 years as a player and undergoing a similar schedule in the past couple of coaching years, he wishes to avoid that intensive commitment.He is amenable to a role at the NCA, serving as its head, a position he held previously. This would enable him to stay in his hometown of Bengaluru. While he is open to sporadic coaching assignments, a return to a full-time coaching role is not on the cards,” stated the source.

Under Rahul Dravid’s coaching tenure, Team India achieved the top rank in both Tests and ODIs, securing victory against Australia in the home Test series and winning the Asia Cup.

Despite an impressive performance in the World Cup, reaching the final against Australia, India faced setbacks, including Test and ODI series losses in South Africa, an ODI series loss in Bangladesh, and defeats in the T20 World Cup semifinal in 2022 and the WTC final earlier this year.