New Delhi: Former India batter VVS Laxman will take charge as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while Gautam Gambhir will remain with the senior side for the upcoming West Indies series. Laxman, who currently heads the BCCI Centre of Excellence, is set to return to the coaching role for the Asian Games. He previously guided India to the men’s T20 gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
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The coaching responsibilities have been divided because the Asian Games coincide with India’s home series against the West Indies. Gambhir will stay with the senior ODI team for the West Indies assignment, while Laxman will oversee the Asian Games squad. Laxman will be assisted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. The Indian men’s team will be led by Shreyas Iyer at the Asian Games, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.
The Asian Games cricket competition is scheduled to take place in September and October, with India aiming to defend its gold medal. The Indian men’s team had won the top prize in Hangzhou in 2023 under Laxman’s guidance. The temporary change in coaching arrangements does not affect Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach. He will continue to lead the senior team during the West Indies series, while Laxman takes responsibility for the Asian Games campaign. The move also marks another coaching assignment for Laxman with a young Indian side, adding to his experience of working with emerging players on the international stage.
