Reports: VVS Laxman to coach India for Zimbabwe series, Gautam Gambhir's stint to begin with Sri Lanka tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are on the verge of announcing Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the senior men's team, post the culmination of Rahul Dravid's term. The Delhi-born cricketer recently attended CAC’s interview via Zoom and all the paperwork will be completed within a week before BCCI announces it.

Rahul Dravid’s tenure with team India will end on June 30 after the completion of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. After that, the Men in Blue will fly to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series, starting July 6 and as per new reports, to-be coach Gambhir will not join the team. Instead, NCA chief VVS Laxman will be travelling with a young squad, featuring cricketers who are not part of the World Cup squad.

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Laxman has stepped in multiple times in the absence of Dravid and the pattern is likely to continue. Under his leadership, India won the Asian Games in October 2023 and many other bilateral series. Gambhir meanwhile is expected to join the squad in the series against Sri Lanka, which will begin on July 27. Many senior cricketers are likely to return to the squad, but nothing has been made official.

“There is a possibility that Laxman along with some of the NCA coaches will travel with the new-look squad to Zimbabwe. Laxman and the NCA team has always filled up whenever Rahul Dravid and the first team coaches have been taken periodic breaks during their stint,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

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Along with Gambhir, former India Women head coach WV Raman is reported to join the Rohit Sharma-led side. He is likely to become the batting coach, but BCCI is yet to confirm the development. The veteran coach is reported to have given an interview for the role, and more things will come to light with time. Meanwhile, Jonty Rhodes is one of the favourites to be named as the fielding coach.