ESPNcricinfo reports that VVS Laxman, the former Indian batting maestro, is going to keep his job as head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for another year at least. This step will ensure stability at the country’s top cricket development institution.
Laxman’s initial three-year contract started in December 2021 and was supposed to end in September 2023. Nevertheless, this has been extended as he goes about developing young talent and influencing India’s cricket future. However, Laxman has chosen NCA over reported interest from an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.
His guiding hand will be vital throughout the changeover to the new NCA facility in Bengaluru. In February 2022, a ground-breaking ceremony was held with Saurav Ganguly former BCCI president, secretary Jay Shah and Laxman himself laying its foundation stone. It is an investment into India’s cricketing future implying world-class facilities for training and rehabilitation of players.
Laxman’s tenure has been about building on what came before him under Rahul Dravid. He has managed to maintain a strong group of coaches including Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar who have played domestic cricket extensively.
One of the largest tasks facing Laxman is how to revive India A tour program that has seen a drop in fixtures over the last couple of years. The tours were critical for aspiring cricketers under Dravid both home and away against quality opposition where they could gain exposure.
He can definitely be considered as their ideal mentor when you consider his outstanding career which saw him score 8,781 runs from 134 tests and 2,338 runs from 86 ODIs donned with Indian jersey. His technical expertise coupled with the knowledge on what international cricket entails makes him very useful to those junior players he mentors
Laxman’s extension is an indication that BCCI has faith in his leadership and vision for NCA. The significance of NCA in identifying and nurturing talent remains extremely high as India continues to dominate world cricket. Thus, the future of Indian cricket is still safe under Laxman.
