Former India Batting Coach Likely To Replace VVS Laxman As NCA Head – Reports

Ganges76

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posted on 4 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Former Indian middle-order batter VVS Laxman's contract as head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru is coming to an end in September.

Former Indian men’s cricket team batting coach Vikram Rathour, whose contract came to an end last month, is likely to replace VVS Laxman as the new head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. According to a report in Sports Tak, Laxman’s contract as NCA head is coming to an end in September, and he is unlikely to renew it.

“It is very likely that you may see Rathour heading NCA. For now, a call on VVS Laxman’s contract renewal is pending, but the conversation from his side is not positive,” the source was quoted as saying by Sports Tak.

However, any announcement in this regard will be made after BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s return from Sri Lanka. Shah is in Sri Lanka these days to take part in the ICC’s annual general meeting, and after his return, he will have a word with Laxman.

“Rathour might be asked to take charge at NCA. The BCCI secretary (Jay Shah) after the ICC meeting is likely to have a word with VVS to understand his side,” the source added.

55-year-old Rathour, who played in six Tests and seven ODIs for India during his two-year international career, was appointed as India’s batting coach in August 2019 after Sanjay Bangar’s contract came to an end. He was retained as batting coach when Rahul Dravid took charge of the Indian team as head coach in November 2021.

Laxman was interim head coach

Former India middle-order batter Laxman, who replaced Dravid as NCA head in November 2021, served as India’s interim head coach during the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. After Dravid’s contract came to an end and Gautam Gambhir was not finalised as head coach, Laxman was given the responsibility, and under his guidance, the young Indian team led by Shubman Gill bounced back from a shocking defeat in the series opener to win the series by a margin of 4-1.

It wasn’t the first time Laxman served as India’s interim head coach. During the five-match T20I series against Australia last year as well, Laxman was in charge of Team India, and in 2022, he served as interim head coach during the India tour of Ireland and the India-South Africa ODI series in October.