Former India batter VVS Laxman has revealed that he was "supposed" to become the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team in 2023, but chose a different career path instead. Laxman's name has been linked with the position on multiple occasions, including when Rahul Dravid's tenure ended in June 2024 before Gautam Gambhir was appointed. His latest comments shed light on an earlier opportunity that could have seen him take charge of the national side much sooner. Laxman said the possibility of him succeeding Dravid first arose in 2023, when Dravid's original tenure was due to end after the ODI World Cup.
Despite being considered for the position, Laxman opted not to take it up. At the time, he was closely involved with India's cricketing system through his work at the National Cricket Academy, where he played an important role in overseeing the development of emerging players. The former batter's decision came after he had already established himself as an important figure within the Indian team's wider coaching structure. Laxman had served as India's stand-in head coach on several occasions when Dravid and other members of the senior support staff were unavailable.
His experience with the senior side, combined with his work at the NCA, made him a natural candidate for the permanent position. When Dravid's tenure eventually ended in June 2024, Laxman's name again featured prominently in discussions about the next head coach. The BCCI ultimately appointed Gambhir, who took over the senior men's team with a mandate covering all three formats. Laxman, meanwhile, continued with his work within Indian cricket rather than making the move to the full-time senior coaching position. His name returned to the conversation after India's difficult run in Test cricket under Gambhir. India suffered a second successive Test series whitewash at home, leading to criticism of the team's red-ball performances and renewed discussion about the coaching setup.
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Some former players and analysts also called for a split coaching structure, which once again brought Laxman into the discussion because of his experience and familiarity with India's Test system. Laxman's latest comments, however, suggest that his decision in 2023 was driven by his preferred career path rather than an inability to secure the position. His responsibilities at the National Cricket Academy allowed him to work with players across different stages of their development and contribute to India's wider talent pipeline. That role also gave him the opportunity to remain involved in Indian cricket without taking on the extensive travel and workload associated with the senior team's head coach.
The former India star has also been linked with other senior roles within the BCCI setup, although speculation around any immediate change to the coaching structure remains unconfirmed. His extensive experience as a player, coach and administrator continues to make him a prominent name whenever India's senior coaching position comes under scrutiny. Laxman's revelation provides fresh context to the coaching debate surrounding the Indian team. He had a genuine opportunity to become head coach before Gambhir's appointment but chose a different route at the time. With questions continuing to surround India's red-ball results and coaching structure, his name is likely to remain part of the wider conversation, although there is no confirmed indication that he is currently seeking the head coach's position.
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