VVS Laxman named India's Interim head coach for Asia Cup

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday named NCA Chief VVS Laxman as team India's Interim head coach for Asia Cup, replacing Rahul Dravid who has tested Covid positive ahead of the team's departure to the UAE.

"VVS Laxman, Head Cricket, NCA will be the interim Head Coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2022, to be played in the UAE," BCCI said in a statement.

Laxman, who travelled with team India that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe, will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Dravid, it said.

Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team, BCCI said.

Laxman has linked up with the squad in Dubai along with vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare, it added.

This will be for the first time that Laxman will be coaching Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. He has already worked with captain Rohit Sharma.

Earlier, Laxman had coached the Hardik Pandya-led team in two T20Is against Ireland. He was also stand-in head coach for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which India won 3-0.

Laxman will like to get his ninth win as stand-in head coach when India lock horns with Pakistan in their 2022 Asia Cup opener on August 28. He has 8-0 wins under his belt in this capacity. (UNI)