
VVS Laxman has revealed that he declined the opportunity to succeed Rahul Dravid as India's head coach in 2024, choosing to continue at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) instead. Laxman stated…
VVS Laxman has revealed that he declined the opportunity to succeed Rahul Dravid as India's head coach in 2024, choosing to continue at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) instead. Laxman stated that the freedom given by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah influenced his decision to extend his stay until 2026.

Speaking at the CoE in Bengaluru on Sunday, Laxman emphasised that the facility is more than a rehabilitation centre, despite ongoing injury concerns involving players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. He defended the CoE's role in developing young cricketers and strengthening Indian cricket through proper systems and processes.
Many fans see Laxman's choice as a loss for the national team, but it reflects a sensible priority: building solid systems over chasing glory. The narrative that 'big names must coach the senior side' ignores that institutions like the CoE need experienced hands to thrive. With several players recovering from injuries, stability at the academy is as vital as any series win. Is the obsession with head coach titles blinding us to the value of behind-the-scenes work that shapes future champions?
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, ndtvprofit.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.