VVS Laxman is one of the most respected figures in Indian cricket and has remained in the fray for any major coaching job in the national set-up over the past few years. He, however, found his calling as Head of NCA in Bengaluru and took up the task with commitment and idealism. He was appointed on a three-year contract, which was due to end in September 2024.
But in a strange development, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has said that Laxman’s contract has been extended for one year more, ensuring continuity of his imprint on the developmental pathway of Indian cricket. VVS Laxman will stick to his NCA duties and continue with a team that comprises Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar.
They will jointly look after the domestic circuit, and develop the next set of Indian cricketers. Reviving India A team’s tours, an idea that Dravid did but got suspended due to the intensity of the international team’s schedule, will be one of the primary tasks under his immediate boss Laxman.
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His contribution as the head of the NCA has been immeasurable. The 49-year-old Hyderabad-born cricketer focused his energy on the optimum modules of injury management and player rehabilitation, and setting up coaching programs. He was actively involved in framing guidelines for senior teams, age-group cricket, and women’s cricket whereby he has provided a holistic approach to player development at every level.
VVS Laxman to extend tenure as NCA head, turns down IPL offer .
#VVSLaxman #NCAhead #IPL #CricketNews #IndianCricket pic.twitter.com/gKAmcHTcOT
— Ayush Bisht (@ayushbisht1290) August 16, 2024
One of the biggest projects has been VVS Laxman overseeing the construction of the new state-of-the-art NCA campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The land was granted by the Karnataka Government on a 99-year lease, with the foundation stone for this ambitious project laid in January 2022.
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While the final stages of construction are likely to be completed by the end of 2024, the NCA is expected to fully come into its own in 2025—ushering in a new era in the development of infrastructure and players in Indian cricket. These efforts will ensure Laxman’s persistence in shaping the future of Indian cricket and that the NCA will remain a world-class talent incubator in perpetuity.
