VVS Laxman to replace Gautam Gambhir as India head coach for THESE two major series
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VVS Laxman has a great experience in coaching.
India are currently playing a five-match T20I series against England, where the Men in Blue are looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss against Ireland by 2-0. However, India had quite a disappointing start here too in the England tour as they lost the second T20I at Old Trafford by 4 wickets after the first T20I got washed out due to rain.
India will soon shift their focus to the three-match ODI series before another international assignment. Following the England tour, India will travel to Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series later this month. At the same time, preparations are also underway for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, where India will look to defend the gold medal that they won in the last edition.
With the international series conceding, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to split India’s coaching duties. According to TOI reports, head coach Gautam Gambhir will not travel with the Indian team for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20I series and the Asian Games 2026.
VVS Laxman to be India’s head coach for Zimbabwe tour and Asian Games 2026
Instead, VVS Laxman is set to take charge of both assignments. The decision has reportedly been taken because the Asian Games 2026, scheduled from September 19 to October 04, 2026, overlaps with India’s home white-ball series against West Indies, which is all set to begin on September 27, 2026.
Gautam Gambhir is expected to remain with India’s senior team for the home series against the West Indies, while VVS Laxman will guide the squad for the Zimbabwe and Japan tour.
Reports also suggest that Laxman will be supported by familiar coaching staff. Former India spinner Sunil Joshi is expected to serve as the bowling coach, while former India batter Hrishikesh Kanitkar is likely to be appointed as the batting coach. The same support staff is expected to continue during India’s Asian Games campaign as well.
This is not the first time VVS Laxman has stepped in as India’s head coach. In 2022, he guided India to a 2-0 T20I series win over Ireland before leading the team to a 3-0 ODI whitewash against Zimbabwe later that year.
He also served as India’s stand-in coach during the 2022 Asia Cup when Rahul Dravid was unavailable and later coached the team in the T20I series against New Zealand, where India won the series 1-0.
One of VVS Laxman’s biggest achievements came during the 2023 Asian Games, where he coached the Indian men’s team to a historic gold medal.
Why is Gautam Gambhir not coaching India on the Zimbabwe tour?
Gautam Gambhir will remain with India’s senior team for the home series against the West Indies, while VVS Laxman is expected to coach the squad during Zimbabwe due to scheduling clashes.
Who will be India’s batting and bowling coaches for the Zimbabwe tour?
As per TOI reports, former India spinner Sunil Joshi will serve as the bowling coach, while Hrishikesh Kanitkar will take charge as the batting coach.
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.