Follow UsAfter India head coach Gautam Gambhir returned home to attend to his ill mother, BCCI Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman was seen with the Indian team ahead of the five-match Test series in England, starting on June 20, Cricbuzz reported. However, he hasn’t been officially assigned any role.
“He has gone there for some other purpose, not on any assignment with the Indian team. He travelled to London from Lausanne,” a BCCI source told Cricbuzz. Another source added: “The target is to win in England, and he may have spoken to the coaches and selectors present there, and perhaps even attended the intra-squad game. But he holds no official role with this team.”
One more source stated: “He went to Switzerland and simply stopped by in London to spend time with the boys. It was always part of his plan.”
Laxman has previously travelled with the Indian team on a few occasions when former head coach Rahul Dravid was rested for a tour or two. A similar thing has happened when Gambhir hasn’t been available. However, that may not be necessary this time around, as Gambhir is expected to join the Indian set-up on June 16 (Monday). If not, he will certainly be back before the first Test.
“He will definitely rejoin the team before the first Test. He has consulted the doctors about his mother’s condition, which has improved, although she continues to be in the ICU. But he will plan his return soon,” said a source close to Gambhir.