VVS Laxman is set to take on a major role in Indian cricket. He is likely to be appointed Director of Cricket by the BCCI. Several media outlets have reported the development. The board is preparing for a possible reshuffle of key positions in September.
If appointed, Laxman’s responsibilities will expand from his current role at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He has been overseeing player development and high-performance programs there. The BCCI is yet to officially confirm the appointment or the exact structure of the role.
Laxman has been closely associated with the senior Indian team as an interim coach. He recently led a young Indian side to a 3-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe. Regular coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff were on a break after the England tour.
The exact responsibilities of the Director of Cricket would depend on BCCI’s final structure. The role would ensure continuity in talent identification. It would also help with player development and high-performance planning.
September is shaping up to be a pivotal month for the BCCI. Ajit Agarkar’s term as chief selector ends in September. That leaves a big question mark over the selection structure. And the scrutiny is intense right now, with the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon. There has also been criticism. India’s recent performances have drawn sharp reactions. Questions are being asked about the coaching setup too. Laxman’s successful interim stint has fueled speculation about his future role. He has said his primary focus remains his work at the Centre of Excellence.
VVS Laxman’s New Role Could Put Him Above Gambhir and Agarkar
The timing of this development raises questions about the roles of Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.
Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the national selection committee is set to end in September. His role has been under scrutiny over the last few months. This is especially true regarding the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
People are talking a lot about Gautam Gambhir’s future as a coach. They are worried most about how he does in Test cricket. India’s poor positioning in the World Test Championship points table has added to the scrutiny. The upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka could decide what the future holds for Gambhir in red-ball cricket.
Sources have confirmed to NDTV that the revised role puts Laxman above both Gambhir and Agarkar. However, there is no immediate risk to their positions. It has also been learned that both Agarkar and Gambhir are set to retain their current roles until the 2027 World Cup.
VVS Laxman Reveals Why He Rejected India’s Head Coach Role
VVS Laxman revealed that he turned down the opportunity to succeed Rahul Dravid as India head coach in 2024. He chose instead to continue his work at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He cited family considerations as one of the reasons behind his decision.
The BCCI had approached Laxman after Dravid’s successful stint ended with India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. However, Laxman opted to extend his tenure at the then National Cricket Academy for another two years until 2026. The facility was later rebranded as the Centre of Excellence.
Laxman said the BCCI gave him the freedom to execute his vision. He committed to the board that he was not taking up the head coach position.
Laxman defended the Centre of Excellence. He spoke up after people worried about many India cricket players getting hurt. He said the place is not just a clinic for healing injuries. Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and B Sai Sudharsan are among the players who have been recuperating at the facility.
He said the CoE has bigger roles to play in helping cricketers achieve excellence. He stressed that injuries cannot always follow predetermined recovery timelines because it is the human body and not a machine.
Laxman said there was seamless communication between the CoE, selectors, and team management. Players are released only after meeting prescribed fitness benchmarks. He highlighted the development of young cricketers and his involvement in women’s cricket as major achievements of his tenure. He said trophies are a by-product of the systems and processes you set.
FAQs
Q. What new role could VVS Laxman take at the BCCI?
A. Laxman could become the BCCI’s Director of Cricket.
Q. Could Laxman oversee Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar?
A. Reports suggest the revised role could place him above both.
Q. Will Gambhir and Agarkar lose their current roles?
A. No. Both are expected to remain until the 2027 World Cup
Q. What does Laxman believe about the Centre of Excellence
A. Laxman believes it should support development beyond injury rehabilitation.
Q. What did Laxman achieve during his recent interim stint?
A. Laxman led a young Indian team to a 3-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe.
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