Former India cricketer VVS Laxman is reportedly set to serve as the head coach of the Indian men’s team for the 2026 Asian Games and the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir will not be able to take charge due to the clash with India’s domestic season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will field two different teams during the September-October window. Gautam Gambhir will remain with the senior team for the white-ball series against West Indies, while Laxman will lead the team that travels to Nagoya, Japan and Zimbabwe.
VVS Laxman returns as head coach for Asian Games 2026, Gautam Gambhir out
Hindustan Times journalist Rashesh Mandani said that India’s busy international schedule forced the BCCI to divide the coaching duties between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Sharing the update on X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote:
“INFORMATION: Due to India’s busy calendar, India’s coaching responsibilities will be shared between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Gambhir will miss the Zimbabwe T20 series and the Asian Games. The Asian Games will overlap with the initial part of West Indies’ tour of India.”
Information: Due to India’s busy calendar, India’s coaching responsibilities will be shared between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Gambhir will not participate in the Zimbabwe T20 series and Asian Games. The Asian Games overlap with the early part of the West Indies’ tour of India.
– Rasesh Mandani (@rkmrasesh) July 7, 2026
VVS Laxman previously served as the head coach of India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. They led the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side to the gold medal after wins over Nepal and Bangladesh before defeating Afghanistan in a rain-affected final.
The current head of the BCCI Center of Excellence has often stepped in as India’s interim head coach. He also led the senior men’s team during the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 T20I series against Ireland when Rahul Dravid was unavailable.
Shreyas Iyer will become the captain of Team India in Asian Games 2026
The cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will take place at the Korogi Athletic Park from 17 September to 3 October. Shreyas Iyer has been named India’s T20I captain for the tournament. Before the Ireland tour, he replaced Suryakumar Yadav as captain.
Suryakumar Yadav has lost both captaincy and place in the Asian Games team. However, the squad still includes several members of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
After a busy first half of the year, Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the team after getting a rest from the home T20 series against Afghanistan and the overseas series against England and Ireland.
Key absences from Team India squad for Asian Games 2026
Kuldeep Yadav has not been included in India’s Asian Games squad and will not take part in the tournament in Japan. The selectors decided to leave the left-arm wrist spinner out of the final squad.
Hardik Pandya is another notable absentee after suffering a back injury during the second half of IPL 2026. The injury ruled him out of India’s T20I plans for the Asian Games.
However, Pandya has not been included in the home ODI series against Afghanistan or the overseas series against England. Keeping in view the World Cup next year, the team management is giving priority to all-rounders for the 50-over format.
