Reports: VVS Laxman to join NCA as head on December 13, will travel with India U-19s for World Cup

In what can be called a major development, former Indian batter VVS Laxman will join the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as the head of cricket on December 13. His appointment, along with that of other coaches, was finalized during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (December 4).

Alongside Laxman, the appointment of former Australia and England bowling coach Troy Cooley as the pace bowling coach of National Cricket Academy was also finalised during the general body meeting in Kolkata. Notably, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid headed NCA before. However, the crucial position has been vacant after the legendary cricketer was appointed the head coach of the national team.

VVS Laxman’s contract has been signed already: BCCI Official

Nevertheless, Laxman looks all set to step into the shoes of his former teammate. “Laxman’s contract has been signed already. His last media assignment is the second Test between New Zealand and India. He will be joining Bengaluru from December 13. He is also for a certain period be in the West Indies for the the U-19 ICC World Cup,” a senior BCCI office-bearer, privy to the development, was quoted as saying by India TV.

The BCCI official even revealed that either Hrishikesh Kanitkar or Sitanshu Kotak, who are NCA coaches at the moment, will don the head coach’s hat for the U-19 global event.”We have also finalised all the NCA coaching appointments and it has been minuted,” he added further.

Meanwhile, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah have been invited by Cricket South Africa for the ‘Annual Nelson Mandela Dinner,’ scheduled on January 2. However, it remains to be seen whether the duo will travel to the Rainbow Nation following the emergence of the Omicron variant that has caused a spike in COVID-19 cases in African nations.

Coming to Team India’s assignments, the national team is set to tour South Africa for their next international assignment. While three Tests, as many ODIs and four T20Is were slated to take place initially, the T20I leg has been postponed following a discussion between BCCI and Cricket South Africa on Saturday.