​The BCCI is once again set to adopt a split coaching setup to navigate India’s congested calendar, with Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman poised to lead the team during the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe and at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, according to TOI sources. Reports indicate that regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is likely to take a break following the England series, leaving only a four-day gap between the final ODI on July 19 and the opening T20I in Zimbabwe on July 23.
In addition to Laxman, former India cricketers Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Sunil Joshi are expected to join as batting and bowling coaches, respectively. The two recently collaborated with India A during their successful Tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka, a stint that appears to have influenced the coaching lineup for the senior side ahead of the busy period ahead.
India’s schedule is packed with notable events—Asian Games participation, a potential Bangladesh white-ball tour, and a home series against the West Indies all projected to fall within a tight window that will demand careful planning and effective squad management. The Asian Games, which will be held in Japan, loom large as a high-priority assignment for the team, requiring preparation that aligns with the demands of multi-format cricket and the pressures of a compressed season.
The decision to deploy a split coaching model is likely driven by the need to tailor coaching resources to specific formats and tours. Laxman’s involvement on the Zimbabwe white-ball tour and the Asian Games will bring his expertise in modern batting technique, fielding standards, and strategic leadership to a period that is expected to test India’s depth and adaptability. Kanitkar’s batting coaching, with his extensive experience in the domestic and international arenas, could focus on technique refinement, shot selection, and mental approach against diverse bowling attacks. Joshi, renowned for his bowling acumen, may concentrate on spearheading India’s plans against swinging pacers and spin-heavy attacks, while also contributing to pace-bowling variations and fielding discipline.
The broader context of the calendar suggests that the BCCI is prioritizing continuity and continuity of systems even as the head coach takes a shorter break. The four-day gap between the ODI series and the Zimbabwe T20I series is a tight turnaround that will test the team’s preparation, travel logistics, and recovery protocols. This scheduling reality underscores the importance of a well-structured support staff that can deliver targeted coaching interventions in a compact window.
With a packed slate ahead, India’s approach will likely emphasize versatility and resilience. The Asian Games will require players to adapt to a multi-sport environment and to balance cricket commitments with the broader requirements of a major multi-sport event. The potential white-ball tour of Bangladesh and a home series against the West Indies will add layers of strategic planning, player management, and workload distribution to ensure peak performance across formats.
In summary, the BCCI’s decision to implement a split-coaching model, featuring Laxman as the primary white-ball facilitator for Zimbabwe and the Asian Games, with Kanitkar and Joshi aligning to batting and bowling duties, reflects an adaptive response to an increasingly crowded calendar. The anticipated lineup signals a focus on specialized coaching for different facets of the game, leveraging the experience of former internationals to maintain high standards, develop young talent, and sustain India’s competitiveness across formats during a pivotal period of global cricket. The arrangement aims to deliver cohesive preparation, strategic game-planning, and robust player development as India navigates a challenging schedule that includes the Asian Games, potential Bangladesh white-ball engagements, and a home series against the West Indies, all within a relatively tight timeframe.