Asia Cup 2022: VVS Laxman named Team India's interim head coach in the absence of Rahul Dravid

Former India cricketer and the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru – VVS Laxman – has been named Team India’s interim head coach for the upcoming Asia Cup, till the time regular head coach Rahul Dravid recovers from the novel coronavirus. The Indian team is set to face arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28, Sunday, in Dubai.

Dravid tested positive for the Covid-19 virus on Tuesday, August 23, which led to the sudden change in the plans. Laxman was India’s head coach when the Hardik Pandya-led side toured Ireland for two T20Is as Dravid was with the senior team preparing for the England tour. Laxman also coached the team in the recently concluded Zimbabwe tour of three ODIs which India won by 3-0.

An official media release of the BCCI confirmed the developments. Laxman has stayed back in Dubai during his return from Harare, where India played all three ODIs. The remainder of the team, who participated in the Zimbabwe series but was not named in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup, has come back to India. Given his health conditions, Dravid was unable to travel to the UAE with the squad.

Therefore, Laxman will serve as the Indian team’s head coach for the competition from August 27 to September 11. A day after Dravid tested positive for the virus, BCCI released a statement informing the appointment of Laxman as the team’s interim head coach as it read –

“Mr 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. Mr Laxman, who travelled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Mr Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the team’s departure to the UAE.”

“Mr Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team. Mr Laxman has linked up with the squad in Dubai along with vice-captain Mr KL Rahul, Mr Deepak Hooda and Mr Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare,” the statement added.

Senior players all geared up to be back in action

Many senior players missed out on the Zimbabwe tour as they had been rested due to a hectic schedule. Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant will be back in action from August 28 onwards. On the other hand, senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament owing to a back injury that he sustained.