VVS Laxman, a former Indian batsman, has sealed a deal with the Indian cricket board (BCCI) for the post of head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. It was a few days after BCCI managed to get VVS Laxman’s former teammate Rahul Dravid on board to become the head coach of the men’s team. The post of NCA head was vacated by Rahul Dravid once he took up the Team India job.
It is learned that VVS Laxman is set to assume charge after India ‘A’ team’s tour of South Africa ends later this month. Former Saurashtra batter Sitanshu Kotak will be in charge of the ‘A’ team for the tour. However, if all goes to plan, VVS Laxman will be in charge of the NCA, India ‘A’, and U-19 teams.
VVS Laxman Agreed In Principle To Become NCA Head
VVS Laxman will take over from his former teammate Rahul Dravid, who was recently appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team following the end of Ravi Shastri’s tenure.
A BCCI source confirmed that the board was in constant talks with VVS Laxman as they wanted to have someone who could take the responsibility in a better way after Rahul Dravid. BCCI had several rounds of talks with him, but initially, he didn’t want to join, but now he is ready to join. An announcement will be made soon.
“Laxman has agreed in principle. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were very keen to have another stalwart to take forward Dravid’s project at NCA. Dravid and Laxman share a great understanding and the board wants synergy between Team India and NCA. The modalities of his terms of appointment are still being worked out. But he has already been sharing his ideas on NCA,” a top BCCI official told TOI.
Like Rahul Dravid’s appointment, the board has to invite applications for the post and conduct interviews as per the constitution. The board will also have to put out an advertisement for hiring a bowling coach at NCA after Paras Mhambrey was elevated as the bowling coach of the men’s team. BCCI will have to hasten the process, given the U-19 World Cup is just about two months away.
In November, Rahul Dravid will take over as the head coach and will be appointed on a two-year contract until the 2023 ODI World Cup. The T20 World Cup 2021 was Ravi Shastri’s final tournament as the head coach of the team.
VVS Laxman Was Initially Reluctant To Move To Bangaluru For Being Unsure Of Moving Base From Hyderabad
According to sources, VVS Laxman had turned down the offer when BCCI first floated the idea to him two months ago. VVS Laxman was the board’s backup option for the job of Team India’s head coach. He was ready to take up the Team India job if Rahul Dravid had declined. But he was not keen to take the job at NCA.
“Laxman has been reluctant to move to Bengaluru as he was unsure of moving base from Hyderabad where his family is settled. However, he had multiple discussions with Ganguly and Shah after the IPL finished on October 15. His concerns were addressed.
“He will now discuss the offer with Sunrisers Hyderabad where he has been working as a mentor. The negotiations around his salary and other compensation will have to be completed now,” the official said.
VVS Laxman is a batting consultant for Bengal in domestic cricket and is also a team mentor for SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. In addition to this, the 46-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest Indian Test batsmen of all time, scoring 8781 runs in 134 matches with 17 centuries.
Rahul Dravid’s first assignment as Team India coach will be India’s home series against New Zealand, which will start three days after the T20 World Cup ends. His contract will run till the end of the 50-over World Cup in 2023. His contract is reportedly worth Rs 10 crores.