VVS Laxman's 'unofficial' role with Team India revealed as Gautam Gambhir gets ready to return: 'He may have spoken to c

VVS Laxman’s presence at the Indian cricket team camp sparked rumours of him being the temporary head coach but BCCI sources have now clarified his exact role. Also, more on when Gautam Gambhir will be back in England. read more

VVS Laxman is in England with the Indian cricket team, but the media reports of him temporarily taking over as the role of a coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir are reportedly untrue. Team India’s head coach Gambhir has been forced to return home due to the poor health condition of her mother .

The National Cricket Academy head, Laxman, who has often filled in as a stop-gap coach, was reportedly in Europe for a conference and then joined the team in England. But he is not with them in an “official” capacity, Cricbuzz reported.

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“He has gone there for some other purpose, not on any assignment with the Indian team. He travelled to London from Lausanne,” a BCCI source told Cricbuzz.

Laxman attends India’s intra-squad game

However, Laxman’s presence could be highly beneficial as he has a huge experience of playing Test cricket in England. The former Indian cricketer played a total of 11 Tests in England and 23 first-class matches. There cannot be a better mentor for Team Indian batters, who face a daunting challenge in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

“The target is to win in England, and he may have spoken to the coaches and selectors present here, and perhaps even attended the intra-squad game. But he holds no official role with this team,” another BCCI source told Cricbuzz.

Gambhir expected to return to England soon

Meanwhile, Gambhir is expected to be back with Team India before the first Test starts on 20 June. While Gambhir’s mother continues to be in the ICU, he is reportedly set to be back in England in the next three days.

“He will definitely rejoin the team before the first Test. He has consulted the doctors about his mother’s condition, which has improved although she continues to be in the ICU. But he will plan his return soon,” a source close to Gambhir told Cricbuzz.

The five-match Test series in England is seen as a make-or-break assignment for Gambhir in the longer format after the seniors like Kohli and Rohit were reportedly phased out and a new Test captain in Shubman Gill was appointed. It has been reported that Gambhir was a big advocate of changes in Team India.

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