Not Gautam Gambhir!: VVS Laxman set to take charge of India at Asian Games 2026

Former India batsman VVS Laxman, who has headed the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, is set to take charge as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team for the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan. The appointment would place Laxman at the helm of India’s cricket preparations for the multi-sport event, with a focus on strategy, fitness, and team readiness for the Games' cricket competition. Laxman’s deep involvement in coaching and development within the BCCI makes him a natural choice to supervise the squad for this assignment. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir will not travel with the squad to Nagoya, the report indicates, marking a departure from the usual leadership for this event. The move comes amid routine adjustments to India’s coaching setup ahead of multi-sport events, as the board seeks continuity and high-performance standards. The BCCI is expected to provide further details on the squad, schedule, and selection criteria in the coming weeks, as preparations accelerate.