Given the short turnaround between the series and the Asia Cup, which gets underway 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. Since there is not much time between the two competitions, Laxman will lead the Indian team in Zimbabwe “Shah, the BCCI secretary, told PTI on Friday.
“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 team, KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda will take a direct flight from Dubai to Harare, according to Shah.
Laxman will be with the Indian team when the first team is away on assignment since it is 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 Rahul is rejoining the national team after undergoing sports hernia surgery and healing.
He wasn’t initially intended to be a member of the Zimbabwe side, but since the medical staff has cleared him, he will play in the three ODIs with the team, giving him valuable experience before the highly anticipated Asia Cup.
