In a surprising development, Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has been delayed. As a result, VVS Laxman, the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), will travel with Team India for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.
Gambhir, a former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner, has been interviewed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the prestigious role. He is slated to replace Rahul Dravid, who is set to step down after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. Dravid had previously announced that the T20 World Cup would be his final assignment as head coach.
India is scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series in July, following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. The tour will feature a young Indian side, as seasoned players are expected to be rested. According to a report by PTI, Laxman and his NCA support staff will accompany the Indian squad for this series.
“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 have always filled in whenever Rahul Dravid and the first team coaches have taken periodic breaks during their stint,” a BCCI source revealed to PTI.
Squad and Leadership
The BCCI is expected to announce India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20Is later this week. The selectors are likely to pick top performers from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Suryakumar Yadav or Hardik Pandya is expected to lead the young Indian side for the series.
Gambhir’s Future Role
Gambhir’s appointment as head coach is considered a formality, with the former opener expected to assume his duties after the Zimbabwe tour. He will officially take over from the Sri Lanka tour, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs in July. Gambhir will replace Dravid, who has decided not to reapply for the position.
As Gambhir prepares to take on his new role, the cricketing fraternity is eagerly awaiting his contributions. Known for his aggressive playing style and strategic mindset, Gambhir’s coaching tenure promises to bring a fresh perspective to the Indian team.
While Gambhir’s delayed appointment has caused a stir, VVS Laxman’s experience and leadership at the NCA make him a suitable interim head coach for the Zimbabwe tour. Indian cricket fans will be keenly watching how the young squad performs under Laxman’s guidance and how Gambhir shapes the team’s future upon his official appointment.
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