Since Rahul Dravid tested positive for Covid19, National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman will serve as interim head coach for the forthcoming Asia Cup.

Dravid is currently in isolation and will rejoin the squad when he tests negative.

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“VVS Laxman, Head Cricket, NCA will be the interim Head Coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2022, to be played in the UAE,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated in a release.

“Laxman, who travelled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the team’s departure to the UAE. Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team,” he said.

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Laxman has joined the group in Dubai, along with vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda, and Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare after competing in the three-match One-Day International series against Zimbabwe.

During the UK visit, he coached the Hardik Pandya-led team in two T20Is against Ireland before taking over as captain of the Dinesh Karthik-led side in two warm-up T20 matches.

The coaches were rested for the fixture because there was only one day between the one-off Test match and the first T20I of the series between India and England. Laxman worked with Rohit Sharma’s side for the first game, which the Men in Blue won.

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He returned as the stand-in head coach for India’s three-match One-Day International series against Zimbabwe, which India won 3-0. Laxman has an 8-0 record as the stand-in head coach and will look to extend his advantage when India takes on Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup opener on Sunday.

Meanwhile, other coaches who travelled to Zimbabwe, such as Sairaj Bahutule and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, have returned. On Sunday, India will play their opening game in the Asia Cup against archrival Pakistan.