Putting an end to ongoing speculation surrounding the national selection panel, former cricketer VVS Laxman has officially ruled himself out from taking over the chief selector role currently held by Ajit Agarkar. The veteran administrator addressed the rumors directly, outlining his professional priorities and future roadmap.
Commitment to the Centre of Excellence
Laxman is presently stationed in Bengaluru where he heads the Centre of Excellence, a position he has held since 2024. During a media interaction at the facility, he made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down from his current responsibilities to take up a different assignment within the board structure.
Backing from Board Leadership
Explaining his decision to extend his tenure, Laxman credited the governing body's top leadership for giving him a free hand. He noted that because former board secretary Jay Shah and current secretary Devajit Saikia provided him with the necessary autonomy to execute his strategic vision, he readily agreed to extend his stay at the facility by two years while promising not to pursue the top selection or coaching jobs.
Building Robust Protocols
Alongside personal considerations, Laxman emphasized his desire to leave behind a well-structured institutional framework before eventually moving on. He stated that he intends to establish robust processes, standard operating procedures, and comprehensive protocols across all departments within the facility to ensure long-term stability.
The Previous Coaching Offer
The veteran also shed light on past opportunities, revealing that he was initially approached for the senior men's team head coach position following the conclusion of the previous coaching tenure after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. However, due to personal reasons, he opted against taking up that role, choosing instead to focus on his ongoing assignment.
