Former Indian batting legend VVS Laxman has been named as the interim head coach of the Indian squad for the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa. India will face South Africa in a tightly scheduled series, starting on November 8 in Durban, followed by matches in Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg on November 10, 13, and 15 respectively.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a 15-man squad for the series, captained by star batsman Suryakumar Yadav. The squad includes several young players, with Kolkata Knight Riders’ standout Ramandeep Singh earning his first call-up, joining his franchise teammate Rinku Singh in the national lineup.
According to sources close to Cricbuzz, Laxman will be joined by National Cricket Academy (NCA) staff members Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh, who will take on specialized coaching roles. “The staff and other coaches working at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, like Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, will be part of the coaching staff under Laxman. Bahutule (head coach), Kanitkar (batting coach) and Ghosh (fielding coach) were part of the India Emerging side that took part in the Asia Emerging Cup tournament in Oman. Sitanshu Kotak of Saurashtra and Mazhar Moidu of Kerala, both associated with the NCA, have accompanied the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A team to Australia,” as reported by Cricbuzz.
The timing of the South Africa tour has sparked mixed reactions among cricketing experts. Veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar voiced concerns over the scheduling, as it overlaps with the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, set for early 2025. Gavaskar suggested that the T20I series could divert focus and resources from the high-stakes red-ball series against Australia.
India’s Squad for T20Is Against South Africa
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal
