Why did VVS Laxman not replace Rahul Dravid as head coach in 2024?
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VVS Laxman guided Team India as interim coach during the Zimbabwe T20I series.
Coaching the Indian men’s cricket team is one of the most prestigious jobs in the sport. It comes with high pressure and expectations of countless fans around the globe. That is why it is very hard to perform this role at the highest level.
Rahul Dravid had one of the most successful tenures as an Indian head coach. India’s long wait to win an ICC title ended during his tenure when they won the T20 World Cup 2024. Under his coaching, India also reached the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 and WTC 2023.
Once he stepped down from the role, Gautam Gambhir took the responsibility. However, there was one name considered the next in line after Dravid. It was none other than former Indian star VVS Laxman.
Laxman opens up on why he didn’t become head coach after Dravid
VVS Laxman has opened up on why he didn’t replace Dravid as head coach in 2024. Laxman has said that his decision was largely due to personal reasons, and he also wanted to stay committed to the development of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
In a recent interview, Laxman said, “In 2023, I was supposed to become the head coach. Because of personal reasons, I was not able to take that up. I went and spoke to Jay (Shah) twice. He understood my reasons.”
The 51-year-old has been in charge of the CoE since its inauguration in 2024. Dravid was expected to step down in 2023 after the ODI World Cup in India. However, the BCCI requested him to continue until the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Gambhir was appointed as the head coach in 2024. Under his coaching, India have won the Champions Trophy 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026. But the poor outings in two WTC cycles and recent defeats in home series have raised concerns over his coaching.
Meanwhile, some reports were claiming that Laxman is likely to replace Ajit Agarkar as chief selector. But the 51-year-old has denied such claims.
He said, “Because Jay Shah and the BCCI gave me the freedom to execute my vision, and Devajit (Saikia, current BCCI secretary) continues to give me, I’ve extended my stint at CoE for two years, and I committed to the BCCI that I’m not taking up the head coach position. You all know that I was approached back in 2024.”
Laxman went to Zimbabwe with the Indian team as interim head coach, and under his coaching, India whitewashed the hosts 3-0.
What is the current position of VVS Laxman in the Indian cricket setup?
VVS Laxman has been in charge of the CoE since its inauguration in 2024.
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Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.