New Delhi: Former Indian batsman and National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman is expected to take over as the coach of the Indian team for the five-match T20 International series (IND vs AUS T20) against Australia, which will start soon after the conclusion of the World Cup. The current head coach Rahul Dravid’s contract will expire with the World Cup and he will have to reapply for the post as per the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rules.
The BCCI will have to invite applications for the head coach position and it remains to be seen whether Dravid, who is 51 years old, will be interested in continuing in the role that involves a lot of traveling and constant pressure. Dravid, who has previously coached teams like Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, may opt to return to the T20 league, which will now feature 10 teams. However, he may also stay with the NCA and groom the next generation of Indian cricketers.
A BCCI source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Laxman has always been the stand-in coach whenever Dravid has taken a break and the same arrangement is likely to continue for the series against Australia. The source also said that Laxman would be a strong contender for the head coach role as he has been in charge of the NCA and has knowledge of the entire system.
The T20 squad against Australia will mostly comprise players who were part of the Asian Games squad and the series against West Indies and Ireland. Senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested to rejuvenate themselves for the series against South Africa, where India have to play three T20s, as many ODIs and two Tests. The five-match T20 series against Australia will begin on November 23 in Visakhapatnam.
