VVS Laxman on coaching India in the absence of Rahul Dravid: It is only a stop-gap arrangement

NCA chief VVS Laxman said that stepping in the shoes of India head coach Rahul Dravid is “only a stop-gap arrangement” but added that the role is “fully satisfying” for him.

Laxman joined Team India for its tour of New Zealand after Dravid was given a break following the end of India’s T20 World Cup campaign, where the side suffered a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of eventual champions England.

It is not the first time that Laxman has been coaching India, having previously coached the side during the home ODI series against South Africa and for the tour of Zimbabwe.

“It (coaching role) is fully satisfying, obviously it is only a stop-gap arrangement but it is been fun working with the young guys,” Laxman told the broadcasters ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand.

Laxman also said that India have a strong pool of talent and the management is trying to give opportunities to players and communicate with those who are not getting selected.

“It is about the combination you want to play for each game. India is blessed to have a strong depth of talent and bench strength. It is about giving them opportunities and also informing them whenever they are not picked.”

The NCA chief further backed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at number four and pointed out his crucial knock against England at Old Trafford.

“He (Pant) has been doing well at no.4, not too long ago he scored an important century at Old Trafford and it is important to back him.

“T20 cricket has given batters more confidence about clearing the grounds no matter how big the outfields are, they also work a lot with the range-hitting,” Laxman said.