VVS Laxman reportedly at loggerheads with Gambhir [Source: AFP]Two different coaches, even on an interim basis, are already turning out to be a headache for Team India, if recent reports are anything to go by. Sharing different ideologies and opinions over team selection, VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir are reportedly at loggerheads over the inclusion of one particular India star in the squad.The player in contention is none other than Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar, who has somehow found himself in a tug-of-war between the two coaches for his place in the Indian cricket team. Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman clash for Washington SundarAs reported by Abhishek Tripathi from Dainik Jagran, Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman are at loggerheads with each other over the fate of Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar.It is worth noting that while Laxman has been appointed as India’s head coach for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, regular coach Gambhir will be with the national squad in India for the coinciding ODI series against West Indies as well as for the subsequent T20I series.The report states that Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir both wanted Washington Sundar in the national squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.Also Read- Revealed: Why VVS Laxman Won't Replace Ajit Agarkar As India's Chief SelectorWhile the home ODIs against West Indies will pretty much coincide with the 2026 Asian Games, VVS Laxman also wanted the spinner in the Team India squad, albeit in Japan for the multi-nation event.Why is Washington Sundar desired by both India coaches?The report adds that captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir both wanted to unleash Washington Sundar against West Indies in home ODIs, considering the visitors have five left-handed batters.Sundar’s off-spin has been considered a viable option against such left-handed players. Meanwhile, VVS Laxman also wants Sundar for his Indian team in Japan for the 2026 Asian Games, citing the presence of multiple left-handed batters in the Nepal squad as well. There is a high probability that India might face Nepal in Quarterfinal 2 of the Asian Games 2026, if Nepal finishes runners-up in the Group A points table.Statistically, Washington Sundar has been quite effective against the left-handed batters. He has dismissed the left-handers on 37 occasions, registering a healthy economy rate of 5.67 in ODIs and T20Is combined. Who will Washington Sundar play for?The BCCI has already announced complete squads for the Indian cricket team for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, as well as for the upcoming home white-ball fixtures against the West Indies.It appears that it was VVS Laxman who won the first rights to Sundar, as the all-rounder has been named in the national line-up for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.However, the cricketer has also been named for the home series against the West Indies, albeit only for the T20I series, set to be played after the multi-nation event. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder recently toured England, where an injury ruled him out of India’s away Test series against Sri Lanka and a T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi. Also Read- Matt Short's One-Handed Stunner Ruins Marnus Labuschagne's 1st Innings After ODI Snub
