Former Indian middle-order batter VVS Laxman is all set to continue as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). According to a report in ESPNCricinfo on Thursday (August 15), Laxman, whose three-year contract was coming to an end in September, will extend his term by at least a year.
As per the latest information, the former Indian batter, who played in 134 Test matches during his 16-year-long international career, is likely to be assisted by his team of coaches, including Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar.
The news of the extension of Laxman’s contract comes ahead of the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art NCA campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Earlier, during an interview with the Times of India, BCCI secretary Jay Shah also hinted about Laxman’s extension by saying, “His contract ends in September, but he will continue.”
Laxman was appointed as NCA head after Rahul Dravid left the job to join Team India as head coach in 2021. In the last three years, apart from heading the NCA, Laxman has also served as India’s interim head coach for a few white-ball series in Dravid’s absence. His latest assignment with the Men in Blue was during the five-match tour of Zimbabwe last month.
Under his guidance, the Shubman Gill-led side managed to get the better of Sikandar Raza & Co. by a margin of 4-1.
It was reported last month that Laxman is not keen to extend his contract, and in his place, former India batting coach Vikram Rathour is likely to take the charge. There were also reports that Laxman is in talks with IPL franchises for the role of mentor. But now that role is not possible because of his NCA duties.
If Laxman signs an extension, then he is likely to travel with the Indian team as head coach to South Africa for a four-match T20I series in November. Gautam Gambhir is India’s head coach, but he will be travelling to Australia with the senior team at that time to prepare for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy that starts on November 22 in Perth.
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