Former India cricketer VVS Laxman is reportedly set to serve as the head coach of the Indian men's team for the 2026 Asian Games and the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir will miss both assignments because of a clash with India's home season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will field two different squads during the September-October window. Gautam Gambhir will stay with the senior team for the white-ball series against the West Indies, while Laxman will lead the squad travelling to Nagoya, Japan, and Zimbabwe.
VVS Laxman Returns as Head Coach for Asian Games 2026, Gautam Gambhir OUT
Hindustan Times journalist Rasesh Mandani said India's busy international schedule forced the BCCI to split the coaching duties between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Sharing the update on X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote:
"Info: Due to India's packed calendar, India's coaching duties will be shared between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Gambhir will be giving the Zimbabwe T20I series and Asian Games a miss. The Asian Games overlap with the early part of WI's tour of India."
Info: Due to India's packed calendar, India's coaching duties will be shared between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman. Gambhir will be giving the Zimbabwe T20I series and Asian Games a miss. The Asian Games overlap with the early part of WI' tour of India.
— Rasesh Mandani (@rkmrasesh) July 7, 2026
VVS Laxman previously served as India's head coach at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. He guided the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side to the gold medal after wins over Nepal and Bangladesh before defeating Afghanistan in a rain-affected final.
The current head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence has often stepped in as India's interim head coach. He also led the senior men's team during the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 T20I series against Ireland when Rahul Dravid was unavailable.
Shreyas Iyer Set to Captain Team India in Asian Games 2026
The cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will take place at Korogi Athletic Park from September 17 to October 3. Shreyas Iyer has been named India's T20I captain for the tournament. He replaced Suryakumar Yadav as the captain ahead of the Ireland tour.
Suryakumar Yadav has lost both the captaincy and his place in the Asian Games squad. However, the squad still includes several members of India's T20 World Cup-winning team, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan.
Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the squad after being rested for the home T20I series against Afghanistan and the away series against England and Ireland following a busy first half of the year.
Key absences from the Team India Squad for Asian Games 2026
Kuldeep Yadav has not been included in India's Asian Games squad and will miss the tournament in Japan. The selectors decided to leave the left-arm wrist-spinner out of the final squad.
Hardik Pandya is another notable absentee after suffering a back injury during the second half of IPL 2026. The injury ruled him out of India's T20I plans for the Asian Games.
However, Pandya is also not included in the home ODI series against Afghanistan or the away series against England. The team management is prioritizing the all-rounder for the 50-over format, given the World Cup next year.
