VVS Laxman explains why he did not become India head coach in 2024

VVS Laxman said he did not take up the India men's head coach role in 2024, declining to replace Rahul Dravid because of personal reasons and a commitment to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. In a recent interview Laxman added that he had spoken twice with Jay Shah and that Shah understood his reasons.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India head coach included India winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and reaching the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the World Test Championship 2023. Dravid had been expected to step down in 2023 after the ODI World Cup in India but the BCCI asked him to continue through the 2024 T20 World Cup; Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach in 2024 and Laxman was one name considered next in line after Dravid.

Addressing why he did not move into the head coach role, Laxman said: "In 2023, I was supposed to become the head coach. Because of personal reasons, I was not able to take that up. I went and spoke to Jay (Shah) twice. He understood my reasons." The 51-year-old has led the BCCI Centre of Excellence since its inauguration in 2024.

Laxman also denied reports linking him to the chief selector position following Ajit Agarkar, rejecting speculation about that role. He served as interim head coach on India's tour of Zimbabwe, where India whitewashed the hosts 3-0 under his charge.

Under Gautam Gambhir's tenure India have won the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026, though the article notes poor outings in two World Test Championship cycles and recent defeats in home series have raised concerns over his coaching.

On his future with the BCCI, Laxman said: "Because Jay Shah and the BCCI gave me the freedom to execute my vision, and Devajit (Saikia, current BCCI secretary) continues to give me, I’ve extended my stint at CoE for two years, and I committed to the BCCI that I’m not taking up the head coach position. You all know that I was approached back in 2024."