India vs South Africa: VVS Laxman set to be India coach for the T20Is?

Former India cricketer VVS Laxman has been appointed as the head coach for India's upcoming white-ball tour to South Africa. This exciting development follows the conclusion of the 2nd Test match against New Zealand, after which the Men in Blue will face the Proteas in a series of four T20I matches. The matches are scheduled to take place in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg on November 8, 10, 13, and 15, respectively. Laxman's selection comes at a crucial time for the Indian team, as the coaching responsibilities are set to shift due to Gautam Gambhir's commitments with the squad heading to Australia for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25, which kicks off in Perth on November 22. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Laxman's appointment in a recent statement, signaling a strategic move to ensure that the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Laxman, known for his extensive experience and tactical acumen, is expected to bring valuable insights and leadership to the team during this tour. His familiarity with the players and the dynamics of T20 cricket will be instrumental in guiding India as they aim to build momentum ahead of future international competitions. Originally, the tour to South Africa was not planned to occur between the New Zealand Test series and the upcoming tour to Australia. However, after discussions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa (CSA), the tour was rescheduled to fit into the calendar.

In addition to VVS Laxman taking the helm as head coach, several key members of the coaching and support staff from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru will join him for this tour. Notable figures such as Sairaj Bahutule, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh will be part of Laxman’s coaching contingent. Their inclusion is expected to enhance the team’s preparation and performance as they face South Africa in a series of four T20I matches.

Recently, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed concerns about player availability for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. He noted that due to the ongoing series and the warm-up game with India A, approximately 50 to 60 players will be unavailable for their respective state teams. This situation arises as many top players are occupied with national duties, impacting the selection for the domestic tournament.

Gavaskar emphasized the significance of this overlap in schedules, highlighting how it can disrupt the balance and competitiveness of the Ranji matches. The absence of key players from various state teams may lead to uneven contests, affecting both the quality of play and the overall excitement of the tournament. As the cricketing calendar becomes increasingly packed with international commitments, the challenges of managing player workloads and ensuring a robust domestic circuit come to the forefront. Gavaskar's observations raise important questions about how to maintain the integrity of domestic competitions while accommodating the demands of international cricket.

"Next month, there's a needless four-match T20 series in South Africa before the tour to Australia. There will also be an 'A' team touring Australia next month, so effectively about 50 to 60 players will not be available for their state teams in the premier national tournament, the Ranji Trophy," Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

India T20I squad for the South Africa tour

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.