The Very Very Special One Steps Up: VVS Laxman to Coach India's Men at Asian Games 2026

Well, isn't this an interesting development for Indian cricket! As the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, draw near – set to kick off their cricket competition later this very month – it's been confirmed that none other than the legendary VVS Laxman will be stepping into the crucial role of head coach for the Indian men's team. It’s a testament to his expertise and calm demeanor, truly.

This decision, of course, comes due to a bit of a scheduling clash, a situation we often see in the demanding world of international cricket. Our regular senior team head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be fully occupied leading the main squad through an important ODI series against West Indies, which starts just a day before India’s men's team plays their opening match at the Games. So, with Gambhir unavailable, the BCCI has turned to Laxman, currently the head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), to guide this exciting young contingent.

Under Laxman’s seasoned leadership, the men's team will be captained by the dynamic Shreyas Iyer, a fantastic choice to lead a squad that truly blends fresh talent with some familiar faces. Keep an eye out for young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a teenage batting sensation who’s definitely one to watch! He's joined by a robust support staff including assistant coaches Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh. It’s a well-rounded setup, poised for success.

And let’s not forget our formidable women’s team! They too are gearing up for the Asian Games with a strong lineup. Harmanpreet Kaur will, of course, be leading them, with Amol Muzumdar as their head coach. Bolstering their efforts will be Aavishkar Salvi as the bowling coach and Munish Bali handling fielding. They’ve proven their mettle time and again, and we’re all eagerly anticipating their performance in Japan.

The cricket extravaganza at the Asian Games 2026 officially gets underway on September 24th, with India's men's team slated to play their first match on September 28th. It's a fantastic opportunity for these players to represent the nation on a grand multi-sport stage, and for many, it's a chance to truly shine and make a name for themselves. We're all rooting for them, wishing them the very best as they chase gold for India!