BCCI contemplates retention of VVS Laxman post NCA stint

VVS Laxmans reluctance to become the Team India head coach is an open secret but with the former batting stalwarts stint as NCAs Head of Cricket ending in September this year it remains to be seen how BCCI manages to retain him in the setupWhile Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir is believed to be the favourite among available options for the BCCI it is still not clear whether secretary Jay Shah has spoken to the national teams senior stars about Gambhirs unanimous acceptabilityShah in a statement on Friday to deny reaching out to any Australian candidates also dropped hints that the Board is looking for Team India head coach who has come through the ranks and knows the cricketing ecosystem inside outLaxman seems to be the most obvious successor given that the stylish former from Hyderabad has been an interim India coach during his nearly threeyear stint at NCA National Cricket AcademyBut he hasnt applied for the post which will be both physically and mentally a taxing for next three and half years The last date to submit applications is May 27Should he choose to apply Laxman would be on strong footing owing to the goodwill he enjoys at the BCCIs High Performance Centre as the structural head of countrys pathways cricket system India A Emerging U19 and junior womens cricketThe BCCI would also want to hold on to the 49yearold and perhaps also convince him to agree for the top jobIt will be completely up to Jay but he has to convince VVS to be a part of the Indian setup at least when they play red ball seriesa former BCCI officebearer told PTI on conditions of anonymityIf he is not willing to work fulltime he can always be the consultant when India play marquee redball series in Australia this year and England next yearAlso ReadBattle of equals as Royals face Hyderabad at ChepaukIt is understood that it wont be very difficult for Laxman to go back to the IPL fold after his NCA stint ends as he has a standing offer from at least one franchise He is also an established commentatorcumanalystUnlike Rahul Dravid who was based out of Bengaluru Laxman had to shift base from Hyderabad Not to forget his magnanimity when he agreed to work for a lesser pay package compared to what he was making as mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad and as an expert with one of the broadcastersSo there will be factors but Laxmans services should be utilised properly the former officebearer saidRecently during a media interaction in Mumbai Shah made it clear that there will be only one head coach for the national team But there is a school of thought that Laxmans expertise in redball cricket could be put to use purely for the formatBy next year the NCA will be headquartered at its own facility in the outskirts of Bengaluru with multiple fullsized cricket grounds state of the art gymnasium swimming pool and also a residential complexOnce Laxman bids adieu to NCA BCCI would need a solid candidate for the post of Head of Cricket One man who could land the job is current national team batting coach Vikram RathourRathour has been in NCA as batting coach and was also a national selector for four years For the last five years he has been with the national team and his tenure too comes to end with the T20 World Cup next monthHis technical knowledge is wellrespected and many feel that he is the right man to replace Laxman when the time comesWith agency inputs