VVS Laxman, formerly the part of the India cricket team, has admitted that he was on the verge of getting the job as the coach of the Indian men’s team in 2023 but declined it for personal reasons.
Speaking with reporters at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday, Laxman stated that he was approached during Rahul Dravid’s first tenure which was scheduled to wrap up after the filming of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The matter was discussed with then-BCCI secretary Jay Shah while he gave Laxman’s preference, it was not accepted though.
I was to be the head coach for 2023, I wasn’t able to take it up for personal reasons, but I think Shah understood that decision, said Laxman.
The eligibility sparked an extension and he headed the residency till 2024 T20 World Cup, after which Gautam Gambhir takes over.
Laxman’s name was also floated in 2024 in the search process of the BCCI when it was looking for Dravid’s replacement. He has been very active in the Indian set up, and has served as the head coach (acting) on multiple occasions.
Recently, the name of Laxman has made headlines owing to the speculation about Ajit Agarkar’s successor as chief selector. The BCCI has not yet said what will be its approach for the selection committee, which has Agarkar as its chairman, for the 2027 World Cup.
But, somehow, it seems that Laxman is quite happy in his current job at the CoE. He opined that the autonomy granted to him by the BCCI secretary (formerly) Jay Shah and the backing given by the current BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia impacted his choice of continuing association with the centre.
The remarks also clear the air on his two occasions when he was vying for a high-profile leadership position in Indian cricket.