The BCCI named former cricketer VVS Laxman as interim head coach of the Indian team for the Asia Cup, which begins from Saturday. The development comes after head coach Rahul Dravid could not travel to UAE after testing positive for Covid-19.
VVS Laxman has already joined the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team in Dubai. Laxman served as the coach of the Indian team in the just-concluded three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe
"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 said in a statement.
"Laxman, who travelled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team's preparation in the absence of Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for Covid-19 before the team's departure to the UAE. Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI medical team," BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated in a release.
READ | India Head Coach Rahul Dravid Tests Covid Positive Days Ahead Of Asia Cup 2022: Report
Dravid's health status is being monitored and Laxman would be in charge of the side till Dravid resumes duties.
"Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative Covid-19 report," the board had earlier said in a statement on Tuesday.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. This will be the first meeting between these two teams after facing off in the Men's T20 World Cup last year in the UAE, where Pakistan secured a 10-wicket victory over India -- their first such win in Men's World Cups.
India have won 19 of the 24 T20Is since crashing out in Super 10 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup last year.
India's squad for Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.