VVS Laxman ‘sighted’ in England with Indian Test team

There is a famous saying, ‘All hands on the deck.’ It means, every resource must be pressed into service to achieve results, come what may. As the Indian Test side in England braces itself for rough weather in what is expected to be a tough assignment, spread over five Tests, some news trickling in has no official verification but is significant. Of course, the first, pertains to VVS Laxman’s presence with the Indian team while training in England and featuring in intra-practice matches. The second, of course, has to do with fast bowler Harshit Rana being asked to stay back.

It is well known, last week, coach Gautam Gambhir returned home as his mother suffered a heart attack. She is still convalescing and is admitted in the ICU (intensive care unit) of a hospital in New Delhi. As much as the PR drive engaged by those close to Gambhir has said he will return to England before the first Test starts on June 20, it is good, Laxman has spent time with the boys in England.

Officially, Laxman has no coaching role with this Indian side, as of now. But one cannot ignore, as someone who heads the Centre For Excellence of the BCCI in Bengaluru, the stylish Hyderabadi is respected for his acumen. Laxman and former coach Rahul Dravid featured in many important partnerships, notably in Test cricket for India in an previous era.

Those who have seen Laxman the batter and Laxman the coach will vouch, if he has been seen with the team in England, it cannot be as a tourist. It is not as if Laxman has intruded the premises. Surely, he has every right to check in on the team, the coaches and all present in England, as there is so much unpredictability about this side. The brouhaha over Shubman Gill being appointed as Test skipper, despite lack of performances on the BGT Tour to Australia tells you about what the BCCI think-tank feels. Yet, critics will voice what they feel on Gill being asked to ascend the throne without the records to boot.

Coming, specifically, to Laxman, this is not the first time he has stepped in. Laxman was coach of the Indian side which won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023 in Hangzhou, China. He has also been coach of and on, with other teams as well. Somehow, when Rahul Dravid stepped down as coach in 2024 after India won the ICC T20 World Cup, Laxman was not considered for the job. The how and why of it is intrigue, since Laxman has the experience and commands respect from a large cross-section of the players.

So, if Laxman is holding fort in England, it should not be as a stop-gap arrangement. Going by all reports, on social media and media, the BCCI has kept mum. At the same time, the BCCI would have tacitly given its nod for Laxman to be with the team. There are assistant coaches serving under Gautam Gambhir who are also in England. But if one talks of a person with great records in England, VVS Laxman’s name comes to the mind readily.

For the record, Laxman has played a total of 34 first-class matches in England. It includes11 Tests in three tours - 2002, 2007 and 2011. In 23 first class matches, Laxman turned up for Lancashire 16 times from 2007 to 2009. The other matches were for touring Indian teams against County sides in England. Given the BCCI’s concern over an important Test tour and the new cycle commencing, there is every reason to believe, if Gambhir was not available due to family reasons, Laxman’s presence is relevant. Will he stay put there will be known in coming weeks.