New Delhi: National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman will be India’s acting head coach for the upcoming tour of New Zealand as the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff has been rested following the team’s exit from the T20 World Cup. India will play a series of three T20 Internationals and as many One Day Internationals (ODIs) from November 18, in Wellington.
While senior players like regular captain Rohit Sharma, star batsman Virat Kohli, opener KL Rahul and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have been rested for the tour, the entire coaching staff has also been given a break after the T20 World Cup.
According to BCCI sources, The coaching staff led by Laxman will comprise of Hrishikesh Kanitkar (batting) and Sairaj Bahule (bowling).
This will not be the first time that Laxman will take over the command of the Indian team. The former cricketer had earlier coached India during tours of Zimbabwe and Ireland and the recent ODI home series against South Africa.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead the team in the T20I series while veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan will lead the ODI side.
Rohit will return to lead the team in Bangladesh. Kohli and Ashwin will also return to the squad for the Bangladesh tour where India will play three ODIs and two Test matches from December 4.