Until regular head coach Rahul Dravid recovers from the novel coronavirus, former India batsman and the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, VVS Laxman, has been chosen Team India's interim head coach for the upcoming Asia Cup. On Sunday, August 28, the Indian team will play against their arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai.
On Tuesday, August 23, Dravid tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, which is what caused the last-minute alteration in the plan. Dravid was working with the senior team in preparation for the England tour while Laxman served as India's head coach when the Hardik Pandya-led team traveled to Ireland for two T20Is. In addition, Laxman oversaw the squad throughout the recent three-ODI series against Zimbabwe, which India won 3-0.
The changes were confirmed by a BCCI official media statement. Laxman has been in Dubai since leaving Harare, where India played all three One-Day Internationals. The remaining members of the team, who took part in the Zimbabwe series but were not included in India's Asia Cup roster, have returned to India. Therefore, Laxman will serve as the Indian team’s head coach for the competition from August 27 to September 11.
BCCI released a statement saying : “Mr 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. Mr Laxman, who travelled 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 before the team’s departure to the UAE.”
“Mr Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team. Mr Laxman has linked up with the squad in Dubai along with vice-captain Mr KL Rahul, Mr Deepak Hooda and Mr Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare,” the statement added.