After making Rahul Dravid the head coach of the Indian men’s team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to rope in another former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman. Laxman may soon become the President of the National Cricket Academy. Earlier Dravid was on this post, this post is vacant after he became the head coach of the Indian team.
According to the news of our associate newspaper Times of India, Laxman will take over after India ‘A’ tour of South Africa. Former Saurashtra batsman Sitanshu Kotak will be in charge of India’s ‘A’ team for the tour of South Africa. If everything goes according to plan, Laxman will be in charge of the NCA, India ‘A’ and U-19 teams.
A top BCCI source told the Times of India, “Laxman is largely prepared. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah wanted another cricketer of high stature to be hired to take forward Rahul Dravid’s project. The mutual understanding between Dravid and Laxman is very great. And the board wants a good synergy between Team India and NCA. The terms and conditions of his appointment are in the final stages and will be decided soon. But they have already started sharing their ideas with the NCA.
Like the appointment of Rahul Dravid, the board will also have to call for applications for this post as per the constitution of BCCI and the process of interview will also be completed. Along with this, the board will also issue board advertisement for the post of bowling coach in NCA. Paras Mahambre has now become the head coach of the Indian men’s team. The BCCI will have to speed up all this process as the Under-19 World Cup is just two months away.
According to sources, Laxman had refused the offer received from BCCI two months ago. Laxman was the board’s backup option for the post of head coach of the Indian team. If Rahul Dravid refused to become the coach of Team India, then Laxman was ready for this responsibility. But he was not ready for the job of NCA President.
“Laxman was not very comfortable about shifting from Hyderabad to Bangalore. Had several meetings with Saurabh Ganguly and Jay Shah after the IPL ended on October 15. Their concerns were heard. Now he will discuss this offer with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is the mentor of the Hyderabad team. The discussion regarding his salary and other allowances is going to be completed soon.
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