Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman is likely to be the head coach of the national cricket team during the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa. VVS Laxman will replace current national coach Gautam Gambhir, who is heading to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series.
The Indian national cricket team will face South Africa in four T20Is from November 8 to 18. They will play matches in Durban, Gkeberha, Centurion and Johannesburg respectively. The team will leave for South Africa on November 4, and the test team will leave for Australia on November 10-11.
VVS Laxman will lead the coaching staff of the Indian team in South Africa
According to a report by Cricbuzz, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official has confirmed that the four-match T20I series against South Africa is not part of the original schedule. VVS Laxman will lead the coaching staff including Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh.
VVS Laxman took over as the head coach of the Indian cricket team during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as coach. Notably, he was in charge during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, where the Shubman Gill-led team secured a 4-1 series win. Gautam was appointed as the head coach after the Zimbabwe tour.
Laxman’s assistants at the National Cricket Academy, Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, recently coached the Indian Development team in the Asia Developing Cup in Oman. Sitanshu Kotak and Mazhar Moidu are with the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A team for the tour of Australia.
There’s an unnecessary Four Match T20I Series – Sunil Gavaskar
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has criticized the BCCI for planning a four-match T20I series in South Africa during the Ranji Trophy season. In a column for SportStar, the former cricketer said the T20I series is unnecessary, especially with the India A team touring Australia.
“There is an unnecessary four-match T20 series in South Africa next month before the tour of Australia. There will also be an ‘A’ team touring Australia next month, so around 50-60 players will be unavailable for their State teams. In the premier national tournament, the Ranji Trophy,” India’s wrote the former captain in Sportstar.
The BCCI announced the 15-man squad for the four T20Is on October 25, led by Suryakumar Yadav. One positive aspect of this tour is that it comes before the IPL auction and gives franchises a chance to identify which players might be in high demand. their performance in the upcoming matches.
India squad for T20I series against South Africa:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Aveshn , Yash Dayal.
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