BCCI Informally Approached Laxman for Test Head Coach Role After Whitewash vs SA: Report
The Indian cricket team’s recent performance in South Africa has raised several concerns, with the team suffering a 2-0 whitewash in the Test series. In the aftermath of this disappointing result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been exploring options to revamp the team’s coaching staff. According to a report by PTI, the BCCI has informally approached former Indian batsman VVS Laxman to gauge his interest in taking over as the head coach of the Indian Test team.
The report suggests that the BCCI’s approach to Laxman was made after the team’s poor showing in South Africa, where they failed to win a single Test match. The BCCI is reportedly looking for a new head coach to take charge of the Test team, and Laxman’s name has emerged as a potential candidate. However, it appears that Laxman is not keen on taking up the role, at least not at this point in time.
As per the report, Laxman told the BCCI official that he is happy with his current role as the ‘Head of Cricket’ at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Laxman has been working with the NCA for some time now, and it seems that he is content with his responsibilities and does not want to take on additional coaching duties. The NCA is the Centre of Excellence for Indian cricket, and Laxman’s role involves overseeing the development of young cricketers and providing guidance to the coaching staff.
On the other hand, the current head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir, has a contract that runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gambhir took over as the head coach of the Indian team in 2022, and his contract is set to expire after the 2027 World Cup. It is worth noting that Gambhir’s contract is for the white-ball formats, and the BCCI may be looking for a separate coach for the Test team.
The BCCI’s approach to Laxman highlights the board’s desire to bring in fresh ideas and perspectives to the Indian team’s coaching staff. Laxman is a highly respected figure in Indian cricket, and his experience as a player and coach would be invaluable to the team. However, it seems that Laxman is not interested in taking on the role of head coach at this point in time.
The Indian team’s performance in South Africa has raised several questions about the team’s coaching staff and the BCCI’s approach to team management. The team’s inability to win a single Test match in South Africa has sparked a debate about the team’s preparation, strategies, and coaching. The BCCI’s approach to Laxman may be seen as an attempt to address these concerns and bring in a new perspective to the team’s coaching staff.
It will be interesting to see how the BCCI proceeds with its plans to revamp the Indian team’s coaching staff. With Gambhir’s contract set to run until the 2027 World Cup, it is possible that the BCCI may look to appoint a separate coach for the Test team. Laxman’s decision to decline the BCCI’s approach may have opened up opportunities for other candidates, and it will be fascinating to see who the BCCI ultimately appoints as the head coach of the Indian Test team.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s informal approach to VVS Laxman for the Test head coach role highlights the board’s desire to bring in fresh ideas and perspectives to the Indian team’s coaching staff. Although Laxman has declined the BCCI’s approach, it is clear that the board is exploring options to revamp the team’s coaching staff. With the Indian team’s performance in South Africa raising several concerns, the BCCI’s decision to approach Laxman may be seen as an attempt to address these concerns and bring in a new perspective to the team’s coaching staff.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/171ce424-2ac3-4ea7-889d-622f827f6853
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