“Explore the pivotal shifts in India’s coaching staff as VVS Laxman steps in for Rahul Dravid for the Australia T20I Series. Discover the changes, potential replacements, and future prospects in this insightful coverage.”
As India gears up to host Australia for an electrifying five-match T20I series starting soon after the intense 2023 World Cup final, substantial changes echo through the coaching corridors of Team India. The imminent series not only ushers in a fresh squad but also unveils a new leadership chapter within the coaching staff.
The closure of the 2023 World Cup final signifies the culmination of Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach. Appointed in 2021 for a two-year term, Dravid’s future with the team remains shrouded in uncertainty. To potentially extend his tenure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must initiate the process of advertising the post and conducting interviews.
Anticipation mounts among fans as they await an official announcement from the board.
Meanwhile, attention is drawn to the alterations within India’s coaching squad for the upcoming Australia T20I series.
VVS Laxman resurfaces at the helm of Team India’s coaching staff, once again stepping in for Dravid, a role he adeptly handled during the 2022-23 period whenever the full-time head coach took respite. However, it’s imperative to note that Laxman’s return is temporary, and he hasn’t been designated as India’s permanent head coach.
Nevertheless, speculation aligns the chief of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as the primary contender to succeed Dravid. Laxman, who transitioned from his role as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s mentor to assume the position of NCA’s chief in 2021, stands prominently in discussions regarding the coaching leadership.
Sitanshu Kotak steps in to replace Vikram Rathour as the batting coach for the upcoming series. Kotak, revered as a domestic cricket icon, boasts an impressive track record, having played 130 first-class and 89 List A matches during his career.
Meanwhile, the reins of the bowling coach will be passed to former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule, taking over from Paras Mhambrey for the series. Additionally, Munish Bali will assume the role of fielding coach.
Much like Laxman, several other coaches have previously collaborated with the national team. The retention of coaches from Dravid’s staff in the future remains a point of intrigue.
The India-Australia series comprises five T20Is scheduled for November 23, 26, 28, December 1, and 3, to be hosted in Vizag, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Raipur, and Bengaluru, respectively.
The Team India lineup for the Australia T20I series is as follows: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, with Shreyas Iyer joining for the last two matches.
Discussion about this post