Cricket

VVS Laxman and his support staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) are likely to accompany the Indian team to Zimbabwe for the five-match T20I series starting July 6. This move is part of the BCCI's plan to provide continuity and support to the young players who have been identified as potential future stars.Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is expected to start his tenure as head coach of the senior men's team from the Sri Lanka tour in mid-July. Gambhir, who is currently the favorite for the role, will have the opportunity to select his support staff, including batting, bowling, and fielding coaches.The squad for the Zimbabwe series is expected to be announced by the end of this week, with a mix of young IPL performers and experienced T20 World Cup contingent members. Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy are among the rookies who are likely to receive their maiden call-ups.Hardik Pandya or Suryakumar Yadav is expected to lead the team in Zimbabwe. Pandya has been rested for the ongoing South Africa series, while Yadav captained the T20 team against Australia at home and in South Africa.The BCCI's decision to send Laxman and the NCA coaches with the Zimbabwe squad is a testament to the importance they place on developing young talent. Laxman and his team have a proven track record of nurturing young players and preparing them for the international stage.The Zimbabwe series will provide a valuable opportunity for the young Indian players to gain experience and showcase their skills. It will also serve as a platform for Laxman and his support staff to assess the players' progress and identify areas for improvement.

VVS Laxman's reluctance to become India's head coach is well-known. However, with his tenure as NCA's 'Head of Cricket' ending in September, the BCCI faces the challenge of retaining his expertise.Gautam Gambhir is reportedly the frontrunner among available options, but it's unclear if BCCI secretary Jay Shah has consulted senior players about his acceptability. Shah has hinted at seeking an Indian coach with a deep understanding of the cricketing ecosystem.Laxman, a former interim India coach, seems like the ideal successor. However, he hasn't applied for the post, which requires a significant physical and mental commitment for the next three and a half years. The application deadline is May 27.If Laxman applies, he would be a strong candidate due to his goodwill at the BCCI's High Performance Centre. The BCCI is keen to retain him and may consider offering him a consultant role for marquee red-ball series.Laxman has offers from IPL franchises and is also an established commentator. Unlike Rahul Dravid, who was based in Bengaluru, Laxman relocated from Hyderabad to work at the NCA.Shah has stated that there will be only one head coach for the national team. However, some believe that Laxman's expertise in red-ball cricket could be utilized specifically for that format.With the NCA moving to its own facility in Bengaluru next year, the BCCI will need a replacement for Laxman as Head of Cricket. Vikram Rathour, the current national team batting coach, is a potential candidate.