No Rohit, Virat for Asian Games, Dhawan, Laxman to lead India in Asian Games 2023: Seasoned southpaw Shikhar Dhawan and National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman are likely to spearhead team India in the upcoming edition of the Asian Games 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou province of China later this year.
Following a hiatus of long nine years, Team India is all set to make its comeback in the Asia Games 2023. The BCCI didn’t send its side to participate in the Asian Games 2010 and 2014 despite cricket being part of it. However, the richest cricket board is learned to have agreed to send its both, Men’s and Women’s, teams for the multi-nation event.
The Asian Games 2023 is scheduled to take place between September 23 and October 8 in China. Clearly, there is a conflict in the dates as the ICC World Cup 2023 is scheduled to begin on October 5. So, the BCCI will have no option left but to send a second-string Indian side for the Asian Games 2023.
As per the reports, with Rahul Dravid busy with the national side in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 preparations, the BCCI is looking at NCA head VVS Laxman to accompany the Indian boys to China for the continental event. Notably, the NCA chiefs have coached India in the past as well when the regular head coaches were either in a break or down with some health issues.
A few reports also claimed that the Asian Games 2023 could also be a test for VVS Laxman to be India’s next regular head coach as Rahul Dravid’s contract is about the expire. Dravid has been handed over the responsibility to lead India until the World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, with Shikhar Dhawan spearheading the second-string side, it can be said that he is not in contention for the World Cup place. Dhawan was looking to make a comeback to the ODI side, however, the selectors seem to be done with him. He last featured in an ODI game against Bangladesh on December 10, 2022. Since then he is out of the 50-over side.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.