BCCI informally approached Laxman for Test head coach role after whitewash vs SA: Report
The Indian cricket team has been facing a tough time lately, and their recent whitewash at the hands of South Africa has raised several questions about the team’s performance and coaching staff. In a bid to revamp the team’s fortunes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informally approached former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman to take over as the head coach of the Test team, according to a report by PTI.
The report suggests that the BCCI officials had a casual conversation with Laxman to gauge his interest in coaching the Indian Test team, which has been struggling to find its footing in the longest format of the game. However, Laxman is said to have declined the offer, citing his happiness with his current role as the ‘Head of Cricket’ at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Laxman, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in Indian cricket history, has been involved with the NCA for several years and has been instrumental in shaping the careers of several young Indian cricketers. His experience and expertise would have been a valuable asset to the Indian Test team, which has been struggling to find consistency and form in recent times.
The BCCI’s approach to Laxman comes at a time when the Indian team is facing a transition phase, with several senior players nearing the end of their careers. The team’s recent performance in South Africa, where they were whitewashed 2-0, has raised concerns about the team’s ability to compete with top teams in the world.
Meanwhile, the current head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir, has a contract that runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, the BCCI’s approach to Laxman suggests that the board may be looking to make changes to the coaching staff, at least in the Test format.
Gambhir, who took over as the head coach of the Indian team in 2022, has had a mixed bag of results so far. While the team has performed well in limited-overs cricket, their performance in Test cricket has been a cause for concern. The team’s inability to win away from home, particularly in countries like South Africa, Australia, and England, has been a major worry for the BCCI.
The BCCI’s decision to approach Laxman, even if informally, suggests that the board is looking for a coach who can help the team improve its performance in Test cricket. Laxman, with his vast experience and knowledge of the game, would have been an ideal candidate for the job. However, his decision to decline the offer means that the BCCI will have to look elsewhere for a coach who can help the team turn its fortunes around.
The Indian cricket team’s performance in Test cricket has been a topic of discussion for several years now. The team’s inability to win away from home, combined with its struggles against top teams, has raised concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. The BCCI’s decision to approach Laxman, and the subsequent report about the conversation, suggests that the board is aware of the team’s struggles and is looking to make changes to address the issue.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s informal approach to VVS Laxman for the Test head coach role is a clear indication that the board is looking to make changes to the coaching staff. While Laxman’s decision to decline the offer may have been a setback, the BCCI will have to look elsewhere for a coach who can help the team improve its performance in Test cricket. With the team’s struggles in the longest format of the game showing no signs of abating, the BCCI will have to act quickly to find a solution and get the team back on track.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/171ce424-2ac3-4ea7-889d-622f827f6853
About the Author
