Laxman India coach for NZ, Dravid rested
NEW DELHI: National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman will be India’s acting head coach for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, officials familiar with the development have said, as the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff has been given a break post the team’s exit from the T20 World Cup after losing to England in the semi-final match.
India is slated to play six white-ball games in New Zealand, including three T20IS and as many ODIS, starting November 18 in Wellington.
Senior players such as skipper Rohit Sharma, batter Virat Kohli, opener KL Rahul and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have also been rested for the tour, news agency PTI reported.
“The NCA team headed by Laxman with Hrishikesh Kanitkar (batting) and Sairaj Bahutule (bowling) will join the New Zealand-bound squad,” a BCCI official told PTI.
Laxman has previously coached India during the tours of Zimbabwe and Ireland earlier this year, and the recent ODI series against South Africa.→p20