When the search for a new head coach for the Indian cricket team began following the departure of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman emerged as one of the leading candidates for the position. Having spent a considerable amount of time with the national setup and stepping in as an interim coach on multiple occasions, many anticipated his appointment. However, he was not named the permanent head coach in 2024, and the former batsman has now shed light on the exact reasons behind that decision.
Total Autonomy Granted by BCCI Leadership
Laxman revealed that the then-BCCI secretary Jay Shah and current secretary Devajit Saikia provided him with complete freedom to operate according to his own vision. This supportive environment prompted him to continue his role at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, known as CoE, rather than taking up the senior team coaching responsibility. He committed to extending his tenure at the CoE for another two years, opting out of the head coach vacancy.
Building a World-Class Program at CoE
According to Laxman, his primary objective was to establish a robust and world-class system within the CoE. He expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to work alongside a supportive team to set up a top-tier program. He emphasized that before moving on from his two-year stint, he wanted to ensure that proper standard operating procedures or SOPs were firmly put in place across all departments of the institution, which guided his decision to prioritize the CoE over the national team assignment.
Crucial Test Series Against Sri Lanka Awaits
As these leadership decisions settled, the Indian squad shifted its focus to the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 15. The opening match is scheduled to take place at the Galle International Stadium. This series holds immense significance for both sides in the context of the World Test Championship standings. To stay firmly in the race for the WTC final, India needs to secure victories in at least 6 out of their remaining nine Test matches, making the upcoming campaign in Sri Lanka critically important.
