VVS Laxman to Coach India at Asian Games 2026 as Gautam Gambhir Stays with Senior Team

Former India batter VVS Laxman will take charge as head coach of India’s men’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The appointment was confirmed through the coaching and support-staff list approved for the Indian contingent. Laxman will lead the Asian Games squad while regular head coach Gautam Gambhir remains with the senior team for India’s home ODI series against the West Indies, which overlaps with the continental event.

Laxman returns to Asian Games duty

This will not be Laxman’s first experience coaching India at the Asian Games. He previously guided the men’s team at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where India won the gold medal.

Laxman, who currently serves as Director of Cricket at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, has also previously worked with India squads on several occasions, particularly when the senior coaching staff was unavailable or different teams were involved in simultaneous assignments.

His familiarity with younger and fringe players makes the appointment particularly relevant for an Asian Games campaign featuring a squad built around a mix of established T20 players and emerging talent.

Why Gautam Gambhir will not travel

The Asian Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4, while the men's cricket competition will take place from September 24 to October 3.

At the same time, India are scheduled to play a three-match home ODI series against the West Indies, beginning on September 27.

Because of the overlapping commitments, the regular senior-team coaching setup will remain with the ODI side. Laxman will therefore head a separate coaching group for India’s Asian Games campaign.

Laxman gets experienced support staff

Laxman will be assisted by Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, according to the coaching staff list released for the Asian Games.

The arrangement gives India a coaching unit with substantial international and domestic experience while allowing the senior team and Asian Games squad to operate simultaneously.

Shreyas Iyer to lead India

India’s men’s cricket team will enter the tournament as defending Asian Games champions.

Shreyas Iyer has been named captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain, according to reports on the announced squad. The team also includes highly rated young players, giving Laxman an opportunity to work with a group that could contribute to India’s future international plans.

India will begin their Asian Games campaign with the aim of retaining the gold medal won in Hangzhou.

A familiar role with a different challenge

Laxman’s previous Asian Games experience gives him an important advantage, but the 2026 assignment comes with greater expectations.

India have established themselves as one of the strongest teams in T20 cricket, and the Asian Games provide another opportunity for younger players to perform under international pressure.

The tournament will also place Laxman in a different coaching environment from the regular India setup. With the senior team operating separately under Gambhir, his responsibility will be to prepare the Asian Games squad, manage the tournament campaign and maintain India’s title-winning standards.

For Laxman, the assignment represents another opportunity to demonstrate his coaching credentials on a major international stage.

India targeting another Asian Games gold

Cricket’s presence at the Asian Games has become increasingly important for India, particularly with the country’s strong T20 depth.

After winning gold in the previous edition, India will enter Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with the objective of defending its title.

With Laxman returning to the role he successfully handled in Hangzhou, India will hope that his experience, combined with a strong playing squad and established support staff, can produce another successful Asian Games campaign.

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