VVS Laxman is set to return to the Indian men’s cricket team’s coaching setup, this time as head coach for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The former India batter will take charge of the Asian Games squad while regular head coach Gautam Gambhir remains with the senior team for India’s home ODI series against the West Indies. The two assignments overlap, making Laxman the natural choice to lead the Indian side in Japan.
Laxman’s appointment is not entirely unfamiliar territory. He was also in charge of India’s men’s team at the 2022 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023 after being postponed by a year. India won the gold medal under his guidance, and the BCCI has once again turned to his experience for a major multi-sport event.
The coaching change comes at a time when Indian cricket is preparing for a busy international calendar. India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies is scheduled to overlap with the Asian Games cricket competition. Gambhir will therefore stay with the senior squad, while Laxman oversees the players selected for the continental tournament.
Laxman currently heads the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and has remained closely involved with the development of India’s emerging cricketers. His role has also seen him work with teams assembled for overseas tours and multi-sport competitions, giving him familiarity with players outside the regular senior setup.
The Indian men’s squad will be led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma named as his deputy. The team combines experienced international players with younger talent, reflecting India’s intention to compete strongly for another Asian Games gold medal.
The squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. The bowling department features Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also part of the 15-member squad.
Bumrah’s inclusion stands out in particular. The senior pacer brings considerable international experience to a team that otherwise has a strong mix of established and emerging players. His presence suggests that India are taking the Asian Games campaign seriously rather than treating it simply as an opportunity to test youngsters.
The tournament will also give several players an important chance to strengthen their claims for bigger roles in Indian white-ball cricket. For younger members of the squad, playing alongside established names and under an experienced coach such as Laxman could provide valuable exposure.
India’s men’s cricket campaign is scheduled to begin on September 28. The team has received a direct entry into the quarter-finals and will face the second-placed side from Group A, which features Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal.
The Asian Games will be particularly significant for Indian cricket because both the men’s and women’s teams enter the competition as defending champions. The women’s side will continue to be coached by Amol Muzumdar.
His latest stint will also be closely watched because the Asian Games squad contains a combination of players at very different stages of their careers. Managing that balance will be one of his key responsibilities. India will expect experienced players to provide stability while the younger members bring energy and attacking intent.
The decision also reflects the BCCI’s broader practice of using its Centre of Excellence leadership for teams competing in multi-sport events. Laxman’s involvement ensures that the Asian Games squad has an experienced coaching hand even while the senior team remains engaged elsewhere.
The coaching staff accompanying him will include former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. Their combined experience will add depth to the team’s preparations in Japan.
With Gambhir focused on the West Indies series and Laxman heading to Japan, India’s cricketing calendar will effectively have two coaching groups working on parallel fronts. The arrangement allows the BCCI to manage the scheduling clash without compromising either campaign.
Laxman now returns to a familiar challenge, but with a different group of players and a fresh Asian Games campaign ahead. After helping India win gold previously, he will hope to repeat that success when the team begins its title defence in Aichi-Nagoya.
