Reports suggesting VVS Laxman is interested in becoming India’s next head coach have reignited a debate that has surfaced repeatedly over the past few years. While Gautam Gambhir remains contracted until 2027, Laxman’s name continues to emerge whenever the BCCI discusses the future of Indian cricket’s leadership.
That is hardly surprising.
Unlike many former players who transition directly into coaching, Laxman has spent the past four years building India’s cricketing ecosystem from the ground up. From overseeing the Centre of Excellence to guiding India A and Under-19 players into the senior side, his work has quietly positioned him as perhaps the country’s most natural coaching candidate whenever the role eventually becomes available.
Reports suggest VVS Laxman wants the India head coach role
According to multiple reports, Laxman views the India head coach position as his preferred next step, even as the BCCI reportedly considers him as a potential successor to Ajit Agarkar as chief selector.
CricketAddictor reported that Laxman remains keen on the coaching role but Gambhir’s contract until 2027 means there is currently no vacancy. Reports have also claimed the BCCI is weighing up whether to offer him the chief selector’s role instead, although his long-term ambition is believed to remain coaching the senior national side.
Those reports come at a time when Gambhir’s tenure has attracted increasing scrutiny despite delivering ICC silverware, with India’s performances in Test cricket and selection decisions drawing criticism.
Four years at the Centre of Excellence have built India’s next generation
Perhaps Laxman’s biggest strength is something that rarely appears on a scorecard.
Since succeeding Rahul Dravid as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in 2021, Laxman has overseen India’s entire talent pathway-from Under-19 cricket to India A tours, rehabilitation programmes and coaching structures.
Many of today’s emerging internationals have either worked directly under him or progressed through systems he helped establish.
That familiarity matters.
Rather than inheriting a dressing room filled with unfamiliar faces, Laxman already understands the strengths, weaknesses and personalities of many players expected to form India’s next generation across all three formats.
His interim record suggests he is more than just a development coach
Laxman’s reputation is often tied to player development, but his record with the senior side also deserves attention.
Whenever Rahul Dravid or Gautam Gambhir have been unavailable, the BCCI has repeatedly turned to Laxman to oversee bilateral tours.
Across seven major assignments as stand-in coach, India have won six series, including:
- Ireland (2022) – 2-0
- Zimbabwe (2022) – 3-0
- New Zealand (2022) – 1-0
- Zimbabwe (2024) – 4-1
- South Africa (2024) – 3-1
- Zimbabwe (2026) – 3-0
He also guided India to the men’s cricket gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
Overall, Laxman has won approximately 22 of the 30 international matches he has coached, giving him one of the strongest records among recent India coaches.
Calm leadership has become his defining trait
Results tell only part of the story.
Players who have worked under Laxman have consistently spoken about his calm approach, role clarity and ability to manage young cricketers without unnecessary pressure.
That temperament has made him a trusted figure during transition periods, particularly when India have fielded second-string squads on overseas tours.
Unlike coaches who seek to dominate dressing-room culture, Laxman has largely focused on creating an environment where players understand their roles and develop naturally.
It is a leadership style that mirrors the role he played throughout his own international career.
VVS Laxman experience offers continuity rather than another reset
One of India’s biggest advantages would be continuity.
Unlike an external appointment, Laxman already understands the BCCI’s high-performance structure, sports science programmes, domestic pathway and player workload management.
He has effectively spent four years preparing players for international cricket before handing them over to the senior setup.
Promoting him would therefore represent an extension of India’s existing system rather than another complete overhaul.
Why VVS Laxman previously stayed away
Ironically, the biggest obstacle has never been his credentials.
When the BCCI searched for Rahul Dravid’s successor in 2024, Laxman chose not to apply despite being considered one of the strongest candidates.
Reports at the time suggested the extensive travel associated with the role and personal commitments made him reluctant to take on a full-time assignment.
The current reports, however, indicate that position may have changed.
Whether that reflects changing personal circumstances or simply the belief that the timing is now right, Laxman once again finds himself at the centre of India’s long-term coaching conversation.
Gautam Gambhir remains in charge. For now
None of this changes the immediate picture.
Gautam Gambhir remains India’s head coach and is contracted until 2027. Reports linking Laxman with the role remain speculative, and there has been no indication from the BCCI that a coaching change is imminent.
Yet the conversation itself is revealing.
For years, VVS Laxman has quietly built India’s next generation away from the spotlight. If the BCCI eventually decides it needs a successor capable of combining player development with international experience, there may not be a stronger internal candidate waiting in the wings.
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