Asia Cup: VVS Laxman named India's interim head coach
VVS Laxman, the incumbent head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has been appointed as India's interim head coach for the upcoming Asia Cup. As per a report in Cricbuzz, Laxman, who was the Indian contingent in Zimbabwe, has stayed back in Dubai on his return. The news comes a day after India's regular head coach Rahul Dravid tested positive for COVID-19.
Here is the official statement
"VVS Laxman, Head Cricket,NCA will be the interim Head Coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2022, to be played in the UAE," a BCCI release read. "Laxman, who traveled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team's preparation in the absence of Mr Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19."
Dravid tested COVID-19 positive
Dravid tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. He did not accompany the Indian contingent in Zimbabwe, where the Men in Blue won the ODI series 3-0. Laxman replaced him Zimbabwe, like he did on the Ireland tour. One of India's greatest middle-order batters, Laxman, was appointed the NCA head in November 2021. He took over the reins from Dravid.
Dravid didn't travel to UAE
Dravid has not traveled to the UAE with the rest of the Indian contingent. While announcing Laxman's appointment, the BCCI, in its statement, added that Dravid "will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report".
Indian contingent left for Dubai on August 23
The Asia Cup-bound Indian contingent was supposed to leave for Dubai on August 23. While the T20I specialists will join Team India from Harare, the rest of the players will return to India. Meanwhile, India will play their Asia Cup opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28. India, who enter as the defending champions, will then take on a qualifier on August 31.
India's squad for Asia Cup
India's squad for Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.
