VVS Laxman Addresses Coaching Speculations After Zimbabwe Series Win

VVS Laxman has clarified his role following India's recent series victory in Zimbabwe, where he stepped in as coach in Gautam Gambhir's absence. Amid speculation about his future as head coach, Laxman emphasized that Gambhir was simply on a break after a demanding schedule. He highlighted the team's turnaround after a disappointing tour of England and confirmed his leadership for upcoming events, including the 2026 Asian Games. This article delves into Laxman's insights and the team's recent performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 18:34 IST

Laxman Takes Charge Amid Coaching Speculations

VVS Laxman has responded to rumors regarding his potential appointment as the full-time head coach of the Indian cricket team, succeeding Gautam Gambhir. This speculation arose after Laxman led the team to a convincing 3-0 series victory against Zimbabwe while Gambhir was absent. This win marked a significant turnaround for the Indian squad, which had previously struggled during their tour of England, where they lost all seven T20 matches and faced a shocking 2-0 defeat against Ireland in a two-match series, followed by a 4-0 loss in a five-match series against England.

Just four days after the England tour, the Indian team embarked on their Zimbabwe tour without Gambhir and his coaching staff. Instead, VVS Laxman, who heads the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, took over the coaching responsibilities. Following the team's impressive performance under his guidance, questions about Gambhir's future began to circulate. However, Laxman downplayed these concerns, explaining that Gambhir and his team were simply on a break after a demanding schedule. He stated, "The captain, head coach, and support staff just completed their series in England and are preparing for a Test series in Sri Lanka. This is their only break, which is why I stepped in. This has been the norm for the past four years since I took on the role at the COE."

For context, Laxman assumed leadership of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and later the Centre of Excellence in 2021, following Rahul Dravid's transition to head coach of the Indian team. During Dravid's tenure, Laxman frequently stepped in when the regular coach was occupied with other formats or needed rest. Additionally, Laxman is set to lead the team during the 2026 Asian Games, as Gambhir will be engaged with the ODI team for a series against the West Indies at that time. Laxman also coached the team during the 2023 Asian Games, where they secured a gold medal.