Jay Shah confirms NCA chief VVS Laxman as Team India Head Coach for Zimbabwe tour

National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman will join as India's head coach on the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe in the absence of regular head coach Rahul Dravid. Dravid will go to UAE with the Indian team for the Asia Cup instead. 

Laxman was also India's coach during the earlier tour of Ireland as Rahul Dravid was on a tour of England with Team India at that time.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Laxman will coach the Indian team for the three-match ODI series. He also pointed out that the gap between the Asia Cup team leaving for the UAE and the end of the Zimbabwe tour is just one day and that is why Dravid will have to be with the team for the Asia Cup instead of the Zimbabwe tour.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, as quoted by NDTV Sports, said, “Yes, VVS Laxman will be in charge of the Indian team in Zimbabwe for the three-match ODI series. It's not like Rahul Dravid is taking a break. The ODI series in Zimbabwe finishes on August 22 and Dravid along with Indian team will reach the UAE on August 23. Since there is little gap between the two events, Laxman will be in charge of the Indian squad in Zimbabwe."

Jay Shah further said, "Since only KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda of Asia Cup squad is travelling to Zimbabwe with the ODI team, it was logical that the head coach should go with the T20 team. And Rahul Dravid will be with the team for the Asia Cup."

Meanwhile, BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the Asia Cup, with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have returned to the team, while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson did not find a place in the team. Samson and Kishan will be part of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting on August 18.