VVS Laxman to Coach India at 2026 Asian Games as Gambhir Stays for West Indies ODIs
· Sports · Times of India, ESPNCricinfo, Indian Express
VVS Laxman, BCCI's Director of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence, will take charge as head coach of the Indian men's team for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after Gautam Gambhir opted to remain with the senior side for the home ODI series against the West Indies starting September 27. Laxman will be assisted by Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, according to the Sports Ministry's list of coaches. Laxman previously coached India to gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. India open their men's T20 title defence on September 28 under captain Shreyas Iyer, with teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's team, coached by Amol Muzumdar, will enter at the quarterfinals against hosts Japan as defending champions.
Why it matters
With two simultaneous white-ball commitments in late September, BCCI has split its coaching resources, leaving the Asian Games gold-medal defence in experienced hands while keeping Gambhir focused on the high-priority West Indies ODI series. Squad selection choices — including resting Jasprit Bumrah strategically and blooding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — will shape India's preparation for the T20 World Cup cycle.
Read the original report — Times of India
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