Cricketlive: VVS Laxman to coach Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co in Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou

It’s official VVS Laxman is announced as coach of Men’s team at Asian Games 2023 set to be played Hangzhou in China, from September 19 to October 7. The squad will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, as the main team will be competing in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Apart from Gaikwad, the squad will see the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, and Rinku Singh. India will directly play the Continental Games from the quarterfinal round itself owing to the position they finished in the ICC T20I Rankings.

Also Read: BCCI to take final call on Asian Games 2023 on July 7

Senior Players like Shikhar Dhawan, and Ravichandran Ashwin did not find a place in the squad.

Dhawan has a near-spotless record in ICC tournaments. The veteran left-hander however has fallen down the pecking order, with the team management backing younger players. The 37-year-old is currently at the NCA building his fitness even as he was omitted from the squad for the West Indies tour.

Shikhar Dhawan’s name is doing rounds as the captain of the India B team that will take part in the quadrennial extravaganza. The left-hander is out of favour with Shubman Gill having replaced him at the top of the order. The 37-year-old led India for most of 2022, with Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya ‘resting’ with a focus on T20Is. Hardik Pandya is India’s designated T20I captain in recent times, but the all-rounder will remain unavailable due to the World Cup preparations.

Asian Games 2023: Gaikwad captain, Laxman coach

Full strength Women’s team, second string men’s side
Gaikwad to lead, VVS Laxman as coach
World Cup 2023 rejects to form Asiad squad.

Dhawan captain Punjab Kings in IPL 2023. With the team likely to be a youthful side, his experience could prove vital. He last played a T20I for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka. He will be accompanied by several non-World Cup stars, with many picked on IPL records. The likes of Rinku Singh, Sai Sudharsan and Tilak Varma could get their maiden call-ups. Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also feature should they miss out on the World Cup squad.

Apart from Dhawan, the Former Indian batter VVS Laxman can also join the Indian team as a head coach for the tournament. Asian Games don’t come under ICC and will not be recognised in International cricket.

The Women’s team meanwhile will be at full strength with no commitments. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side travel to Bangladesh in July, following which their calendar opens up. The Asian Games is likely to be the first assignment for the incoming head coach.