The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a firm denial regarding reports that it has approached former batting great VVS Laxman to take over as the head coach of the Indian Test team. The clarification came directly from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who dismissed the speculation as entirely unfounded.
Official Denial from the BCCI Top Brass
In a statement that left little room for ambiguity, Jay Shah categorically refuted the claims circulating in certain media sections. He emphasized that the reports suggesting Laxman was being considered for the red-ball coaching role were not based on fact. "The reports are factually incorrect," Shah stated, adding a stronger descriptor by calling them "baseless." This direct intervention from the board's secretary underscores the BCCI's intent to control the narrative around one of the most significant appointments in Indian cricket.
The Context: Rahul Dravid's Tenure and Upcoming Vacancy
The speculation arose against the backdrop of the impending conclusion of Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach of the Indian national team. Dravid's contract is set to expire after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024. The board has officially begun the process of finding his successor, having advertised for the position and inviting applications until May 27, 2024. The role encompasses coaching across all three formats of the game—Tests, One-Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals.
VVS Laxman's name entered the conversation due to his established role within the system. He currently serves as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and has frequently stepped in as the stand-in head coach for the senior team during periods when Dravid was rested, such as during tours of Ireland and Zimbabwe. His familiarity with the players and the setup made him a plausible candidate in the eyes of many observers.
Clarifying the Process and Looking Ahead
Jay Shah's statement serves to clarify that, despite Laxman's credentials and experience, no formal or informal approach has been made to him for the Test-specific coaching position. The BCCI's process, as outlined in their advertisement, appears to be strictly protocol-driven at this stage. The board is seeking a single head coach for all formats, and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will be responsible for interviewing the candidates and making the final recommendation.
This denial puts to rest, for now, the specific rumor about Laxman. However, it keeps the field wide open for other potential candidates, both domestic and international. The BCCI's move highlights its preference for a transparent, application-based procedure for a role of such high importance. The coming weeks will be crucial as the deadline for applications passes and the CAC begins its evaluation to select the individual who will guide Team India through its next chapter, including major Test series and World Cup cycles.
The development also reaffirms the BCCI's current stance on wanting a unified coaching leadership. By denying a split-coaching rumor and sticking to the advertised all-format role, the board signals its desire for continuity and a single strategic vision across different types of cricket. The cricketing world now awaits the official outcome of this high-profile recruitment drive.
