VVS Laxman named India’s interim head coach for Asia Cup after Rahul Dravid tests Covid-19 positive

VVS Laxman has been appointed as India’s interim head coach for the upcoming Asia Cup after Rahul Dravid was tested Covid-19 positive earlier in the week. Laxman will travel to the UAE from Zimbabwe along with KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda, and Avesh Khan.

Laxman has been filling in the shoes of his former teammate for the head coaching duties when Dravid hasn’t been able to travel with the team. Laxman was the team’s coach when Hardik Pandya lead the team in the two-match T20I series against Ireland. The 47-year-old from Hyderabad also performed the coaching role in the three-match series against Zimbabwe.

BCCI released a statement on Wednesday, stating that Rahul Dravid will join the Indian squad once he returns a negative Covid-19 report.

“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,” the BCCI release read.

“Mr. Laxman, who traveled 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,” it further added.

“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 traveled from Harare,” the BCCI release said.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on 28th August. Rohit Sharma will lead the team as India will look to defend its title.

Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Standby players: Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar.