BCCI informally approached Laxman for Test head coach role after whitewash vs SA: Report
The Indian cricket team has been facing a tumultuous time, particularly in the Test format. The recent whitewash against South Africa has raised several questions about the team’s performance and the coaching staff. In an effort to revive the team’s fortunes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informally approached former Indian batsman VVS Laxman to take over as the head coach of the Test team.
According to a report by PTI, the BCCI reached out to Laxman after India’s dismal performance against South Africa, where they lost the two-match Test series 2-0. The report suggests that the BCCI officials had a casual conversation with Laxman to gauge his interest in taking up the role of head coach of 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, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen India has ever produced, has been involved with the NCA for several years now. He has been instrumental in shaping the careers of several young cricketers and has been credited with helping them develop their skills. Laxman’s experience and expertise would undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the Indian team, but it seems that he is content with his current role and does not want to take up the responsibility of head coach at this point in time.
The report also mentions that the current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has a contract that runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This means that even if Laxman had expressed interest in the role, it is unlikely that the BCCI would have made any changes to the coaching staff at this point in time. Gambhir, who is a former Indian opener, has been in charge of the team since 2022 and has had a mixed bag of results. While the team has performed well in some series, they have struggled in others, including the recent whitewash against South Africa.
The BCCI’s approach to Laxman is a clear indication that they are looking for alternatives to Gambhir, at least in the Test format. The team’s performance in the longest format of the game has been a major concern for the BCCI, and they are likely to explore all options to revive the team’s fortunes. Laxman, with his vast experience and expertise, would have been an ideal candidate for the role, but it seems that he is not interested in taking up the challenge at this point in time.
The Indian team’s performance in the Test format has been a major concern for several years now. The team has struggled to find consistency and has been plagued by injuries to key players. The BCCI has been trying to address these issues, but it seems that they still have a long way to go. The approach to Laxman is a clear indication that they are willing to think outside the box and explore all options to revive the team’s fortunes.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s informal approach to VVS Laxman for the role of head coach of the Indian Test team is a clear indication that they are looking for alternatives to the current coaching staff. While Laxman’s experience and expertise would have been a valuable asset to the team, it seems that he is happy with his current role and does not want to take up the responsibility of head coach at this point in time. The BCCI will have to continue their search for a suitable candidate to take over as head coach, at least in the Test format.
The Indian team’s performance in the Test format will be closely watched in the coming months, and the BCCI will be under pressure to deliver results. The team’s fans will be hoping that the BCCI can find the right combination of players and coaching staff to revive the team’s fortunes and bring back the glory days of Indian cricket.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/171ce424-2ac3-4ea7-889d-622f827f6853