BCCI informally approached Laxman for Test head coach role after whitewash vs SA: Report
The Indian cricket team’s recent performance in the Test series against South Africa has raised several questions about the team’s coaching staff. After being whitewashed 2-0 by the Proteas, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly started exploring options for a new head coach for the Test team. According to a report by PTI, the BCCI informally approached former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman to check if he would be interested in taking up the role.
The report suggests that the BCCI official had a casual conversation with Laxman to gauge his interest in coaching the Indian Test team. However, Laxman is said to have expressed his happiness with his current role as the ‘Head of Cricket’ at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Laxman has been instrumental in shaping the future of Indian cricket, and his expertise has been valuable in nurturing young talent at the NCA.
The BCCI’s approach to Laxman comes as no surprise, given his impressive credentials as a player and his experience in coaching. Laxman has been involved with the Indian team in various capacities, including as a mentor and a coach. His understanding of the game and his ability to connect with players make him an ideal candidate for the role of head coach.
However, with Laxman not showing interest in the role, the BCCI may have to look elsewhere for a new head coach. The current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has a contract that runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup. While Gambhir has been doing a decent job, the team’s performance in the Test series against South Africa has raised questions about his ability to lead the team in the longer format.
The Indian team’s struggles in Test cricket have been well-documented, and the BCCI may be looking for a coach who can help the team regain its dominance in the format. The team’s batting has been a major concern, and the BCCI may be looking for a coach who can help the batsmen improve their technique and adapt to different conditions.
The approach to Laxman also highlights the BCCI’s desire to have a separate coach for the Test team. The current system of having a single coach for all formats has been criticized, and the BCCI may be looking to adopt a more specialized approach. Having a separate coach for the Test team could help the team prepare better for the longer format and improve its performance.
The development also raises questions about the future of Gambhir as the head coach. While his contract runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the BCCI may be looking to make changes sooner rather than later. Gambhir has been under pressure after the team’s poor performance in the Test series, and the BCCI may be looking for a new coach who can help the team regain its momentum.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s informal approach to Laxman for the Test head coach role highlights the board’s desire to make changes to the team’s coaching staff. While Laxman may not be interested in the role, the BCCI may have to look elsewhere for a new coach who can help the team improve its performance in Test cricket. The development also raises questions about the future of Gambhir as the head coach, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/171ce424-2ac3-4ea7-889d-622f827f6853