Reports: VVS Laxman in talks with Lucknow Super Giants for IPL stint

Lucknow Super Giants have contacted former cricketer VVS Laxman with an offer to join the coaching staff for IPL 2025. The 49-year-old is currently the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but as things stand, he is unlikely to renew his contract, which will end in September 2024.

Notably, BCCI officials held talks with Laxman over taking up the India head coach role, after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended. However, he declined the offer, citing his reluctance to travel for almost 10 months with the national team. Laxman, who has previously worked for Sunrisers Hyderabad, however is interested in coaching IPL teams, which requires high attention only for three-to-four months.

LSG appointed Justin Langer as head coach in 2023, and they are unlikely to part ways with the former Australia cricketer. Laxman in that case, will either join as batting coach or as mentor or Director of Cricket. His CV with Sunrisers Hyderabad and then as NCA chief is quite impressive and is tactically very sound.

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According to The Times of India, other franchises also might be interested in bringing Laxman into their set-up. Recently, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir left the franchise to join the national team, while their batting coach Abhishek Nayar is reported to be on the same path. Delhi Capitals recently parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting, which may prompt them to bring Laxman in, but there’s no confirmation if the franchise had held talks with him.

Meanwhile, Vikram Rathour is expected to replace Laxman as the head of NCA. The 55-year-old has been in BCCI’s ecosystem since 2012 as he first served as a national selector before becoming the batting coach of the Indian team.

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Laxman recently coached India’s senior men’s team, which travelled to Zimbabwe. Under his guidance, the Shubman Gill-led side defeated the Chevrons 4-1, which was in all likelihood Laxman’s last assignment with the national team as Gautam Gambhir is set to assume office from the Sri Lanka series.