VVS Laxman Set for Major BCCI Promotion as Director of Cricket: Report
Former India batting great VVS Laxman is set to become BCCI Director of Cricket in September 2026, leading an administrative overhaul. This new role will enhance coordination across India's team, selectors, coaches, and the Centre of Excellence, building on his CoE leadership.
Indian cricket is abuzz with report suggesting a significant administrative shake-up on the horizon, with former batting maestro VVS Laxman strongly tipped to assume the newly created or greatly expanded role of Director of Cricket for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This anticipated appointment, expected to unfold in September 2026, comes as the BCCI prepares for a broader review of its key cricketing operations and personnel. CoE Head VVS Laxman Hails Virat Kohli's Professionalism, Calls Indian Batting Icon 'Great Role Model'
As reported by India Today, Laxman, currently serving as the highly influential head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, is seen as the ideal candidate to spearhead a more integrated and coordinated approach across various facets of Indian cricket. The proposed role aims to bridge the gap between the senior national team, selectors, coaching staff, and the talent development pipeline at the CoE.
A Strategic Reshuffle on the Cards
The discussions surrounding Laxman's elevated role are taking place against the backdrop of an impending BCCI reshuffle. Sources indicate that the tenure of Ajit Agarkar, the current chairman of the senior men's selection committee, is set to conclude in September. While an extension for Agarkar until June 2027 has also been mooted, the possibility of a comprehensive restructuring of high-performance and selection systems is gaining traction.
The national team's coaching setup has also reportedly come under scrutiny following recent performances, prompting conversations within the board about creating a more cohesive cricket management system. This context makes the timing of a Director of Cricket appointment particularly strategic, with the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle already on the horizon.
VVS Laxman's Growing Influence
At 51 years old, VVS Laxman's journey post-retirement has seen him become a pivotal figure in Indian cricket's developmental landscape. His work at the CoE has been instrumental in overseeing high-performance programs, player rehabilitation, and talent development across various age groups.
Laxman has also demonstrated his leadership capabilities on the field, repeatedly stepping in as interim head coach for the senior national team when the regular coaching staff has been unavailable. Most recently, he successfully guided a youthful Indian side to a dominant 3-0 T20I series victory in Zimbabwe in July 2026, while head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff were rested.
In 2024, Laxman was considered a strong candidate to replace Rahul Dravid as India's full-time head coach but opted to continue his commitment to the CoE, citing family reasons and his vision for the academy's growth. CoE Not a Rehab Centre: VVS Laxman Amid Growing Injury Concerns
The Scope of the New Role
While an official announcement from the BCCI is still pending, reports suggest that the Director of Cricket position would encompass a broad range of responsibilities aimed at long-term planning and strategic oversight rather than day-to-day coaching. Key areas could include:
Talent Identification and Pathway: Ensuring seamless progression from junior to senior teams.
Workload Management: Coordinating player rest and rotation, especially with major ICC tournaments in mind.
Coaching Staff and Selection Coordination: Working in tandem with the head coach and selectors on squad composition and overall team strategy.
Performance Review and Development: Overseeing the performance analysis of players and teams across all formats.
This expanded administrative and strategic role would solidify Laxman's position at the heart of Indian cricket's future direction, aiming to foster greater continuity and effectiveness in its high-performance structures. The cricket fraternity eagerly awaits official confirmation from the BCCI on this potentially game-changing appointment as September draws closer.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 11:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
