Former India batter VVS Laxman is all set to take charge of the National Cricket Academy as its head, a position that has been left vacant since the time Rahul Dravid took charge of the Indian cricket team as its head coach. The deal is almost settled and only an official announcement is awaited.
“Laxman has agreed in principle. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were very keen to have another stalwart take forward Dravid’s project at NCA. Dravid and Laxman share a great understanding and the board wants synergy between Team India and NCA,” a source close to the BCCI was quoted as saying by the TOI.
“The modalities of his terms of appointment are still being worked out. But he has already been sharing his ideas on NCA,” it added.
There was reluctance on the part of Laxman, who has represented the country in more than 100 Tests as he did not want to move base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, where the Academy is located.
“Laxman has been reluctant to move to Bengaluru from Hyderabad where his family is settled. However, he had multiple discussions with Ganguly and Shah after the IPL finished on October 15. His concerns were addressed.
He will now discuss the offer with Sunrisers Hyderabad where he has been working as a mentor. The negotiations around his salary and other compensation will have to be completed now,” the source said.
The appointment would have to be made early as the head of the NCA would also be responsible for Team India’s U-19 World Cup campaign which begins in January 2022 in West Indies.