Given the short turn around between the series and the Asia Cup, which begins on August 27 in the UAE, National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman will serve as India’s acting head coach for the next tour of Zimbabwe, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced on Friday.
“Yes, VVS Laxman will lead the Indian squad in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Rahul Dravid isn’t exactly taking a vacation. Dravid and the Indian squad will arrive in the UAE on August 23 after the ODI series in Zimbabwe concludes on August 22. Given the close proximity of the two competitions, Laxman would be in control of the Indian team in Zimbabwe “Shah, the BCCI secretary, said on Friday to PTI.
“It was only logical that the head coach would be with the T20 squad since only KL and Hooda are there with the ODI squad in Zimbabwe.”
The three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe will be held on August 18, 20, and 22 in Harare.
As members of the Asia Cup squad, KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda will fly directly from Dubai to Harare, according to Shah.
Laxman will be with the Indian team while the first team is deployed abroad because it has been BCCI tradition for the second string or A teams to always be under the supervision of the head of the NCA.
Laxman was with the T20 squad in Ireland while Dravid was with the Test squad in England when the Indian side was in the UK in June–July.
KL After recovering from sports hernia surgery, Rahul is rejoining the national team.
He wasn’t initially intended to be a member of the Zimbabwe team, but the medical staff has determined that he is fit, therefore he will play with the team in the three ODIs, which will be useful preparation for the lucrative Asia Cup.
