VVS Laxman Set to Become BCCI Director of Cricket After Rejecting Head Coach Role

VVS Laxman is reportedly in line to become the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) next Director of Cricket, three years after turning down the opportunity to become India’s head coach.

Laxman has been serving as the head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since 2021, having taken over the role from Rahul Dravid. According to a report by India Today, the BCCI could make significant changes in September, when men’s senior selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar’s tenure is scheduled to end.

Despite India’s success in recent ICC tournaments, including two T20 World Cup titles and the 2025 Champions Trophy, the team has faced concerns in Test cricket. India’s qualification prospects for the World Test Championship 2025-27 are also an important factor as the BCCI evaluates its cricketing structure.

VVS Laxman Could Take Up a Bigger BCCI Role

If appointed as Director of Cricket, Laxman would have responsibilities extending well beyond his current role at the Centre of Excellence. He could become an important link between the Indian team, selectors, coaches and the BCCI’s player-development system.

The proposed role is expected to involve talent identification, player development, coaching coordination, sports science and long-term planning across Indian cricket.

Laxman’s extensive experience with India’s senior and junior teams could make him a natural fit for such a position. The former Test batter has also frequently stepped in as India’s coach during tours when the regular head coach was unavailable.

Laxman Had Rejected India Head Coach Role in 2023

The potential appointment is particularly interesting because Laxman had previously declined the opportunity to become India’s head coach in 2023.

Following the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach was coming to an end. Dravid eventually continued until the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India won the tournament.

Laxman, meanwhile, continued his work at the Centre of Excellence, a position he had already held since 2021.

His decision to reject the head coach role suggests that a broader administrative and developmental position could suit his long-term vision better than the demanding day-to-day responsibilities of coaching the senior national team.

What Could Be Laxman’s Role as BCCI Director of Cricket?

If the appointment becomes official, Laxman could play a central role in connecting different parts of India’s cricketing ecosystem.

• Player development: Overseeing the pathway from domestic and age-group cricket to the senior national team.
• Talent scouting: Identifying emerging players who could eventually represent India.
• Coaching coordination: Helping maintain alignment between coaches, selectors and players.
• Centre of Excellence: Continuing to strengthen India’s high-performance infrastructure.
• Long-term planning: Developing strategies for India’s future across different formats.
• Injury management: Working with sports-science and medical teams to improve player fitness and rehabilitation.

Laxman’s Experience With Young Indian Teams

Laxman has already gained considerable experience working with India’s next generation of cricketers. He has been involved with the Under-19 setup and has also taken charge of the senior side on several occasions when the regular coaching staff was unavailable.

His experience with young players could be particularly valuable as India looks to build a strong pipeline of talent for the coming years.

Injury Management Could Become a Major Challenge

One of the key challenges for Laxman would be India’s recent injury concerns. Several prominent players have dealt with fitness issues, increasing scrutiny on the country’s high-performance and sports-science systems.

Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah are among the players recently ruled out of India’s Test series against Sri Lanka due to injuries.

Laxman has previously addressed the issue and revealed that the BCCI was looking for a new head of Sports Science following Nitin Patel’s departure.

Will Laxman Replace Ajit Agarkar?

The reported changes at the BCCI come as Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the men’s senior selection committee approaches its scheduled conclusion. There have also been reports suggesting that Agarkar could receive an extension until the 2027 ODI World Cup.

However, Laxman’s reported elevation to Director of Cricket would represent a separate but significant structural change within Indian cricket.

Rather than replacing the head coach, Laxman’s proposed position would focus on creating greater coordination between India’s coaching staff, selectors, players and development programmes.

What Happens Next for VVS Laxman?

The BCCI is expected to make decisions regarding its cricketing structure in the coming months. If the reports prove accurate, Laxman could move from leading the Centre of Excellence to a much broader role overseeing India’s overall cricketing ecosystem.

His extensive playing career, coaching experience and work with India’s emerging players make him a strong candidate for a role that could influence the country’s cricketing direction beyond a single format or team.

For now, the appointment remains subject to an official BCCI confirmation. However, a move to Director of Cricket would give Laxman a major opportunity to shape India’s talent pipeline, player development and long-term strategy.