VVS Laxman Reveals How Jay Shah Helped Gautam Gambhir Become India's Head Coach

VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir & Jay Shah in frame | Source- AFP

With the Indian team unable to perform to its set standards, there have been talks about whether Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir should be replaced by Head ofthe Centre of Excellence, VVS Laxman, on a permanent basis. 

Often criticised for being over-aggressive, Gambhir’s ideologies aren’t currently paying off for the Indian team, which is in transition across all formats. Meanwhile, Laxman, regarded as a level-headed coach, is often coined as the best person to coach the Men in Blue. 

That said, the CoE boss categorically turned down taking over the head coach job from Gambhir, even after helping India win a series in Zimbabwe. 

Why didn't VVS Laxman take up India head coach's job?

While attending a press conference, VVS Laxman revealed that the legendary former cricketer was to replace the then head coach Rahul Dravid after the 2023 World Cup in India, where the Men in Blue bowed out to Australia in the final. 

However, he didn't take up the post due to "personal reasons", which he conveyed to the former BCCI secretary Jay Shah. 

Also Read: Harshit Rana's Latest Injury Setback Contradicts VVS Laxman's 'GPS' Statement

“In 2023, I was supposed to become the head coach," Laxman said during a media interaction at the Centre of Excellence. “Because of personal reasons, I was not able to take that up. I went and spoke to Jay (Shah) twice. He understood my reasons. Because of what Jay and the BCCI have given me, the freedom to execute with my vision, it continues with Devajit and other office bearers."

After Laxman declined, Dravid continued as the head coach till the 2024 T20 World Cup, after a special request from Rohit Sharma. However, Dravid was replaced by Gautam Gambhir, as he was on a high after helping KKR win its third IPL title. 

India's run under Gautam Gambhir

Under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, Team India started well, winning the 2025 Champions Trophy. Later, the Suryakumar-led Men in Blue won the 2026 T20 World Cup, becoming the first team to win the marquee event thrice and lifting it on back-to-back occasions. 

That said, Team India has gotten a habit of over-experimenting with Gaumbhir at the helm, resulting in them losing various bilateral series against major teams.

They were whitewashed in the home Tests first against New Zealand and then by South Africa. Moreover, India have lost ODI series to Australia, England, Sri Lanka and the Kiwis. Additionally, the Men in Blue have lost to England and Ireland recently.

India's winning percentage has also dropped under Gambhir's coaching, with a winning percentage of 40% in Tests, 61.54% in ODIs, and 68.43% in T20Is. 

Meanwhile, during VVS Laxman's recent stint as stand-in coach, India were able to clean sweep Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series, after India lost shambolically in the UK. 

How VVS Laxman is changing Indian cricket's landscape at CoE?

Although VVS Laxman didn't take up the head coach's post, he is serving Indian cricket in a whole different capacity. The legendary batter has taken up the responsibility of shaping up the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, which recently completed its two years. 

The world-class facility has a different set of pitches, coupled with sports science and fitness tracking, designed to help budding cricketers prepare for international cricket in the state-of-the-art establishment. 

That said, the CoE has often criticised for not having a proper communication channels with the team management, but the facility's head Laxman also shut down all such rumours.

"There's a brilliant coordination between the COE, the team management of both the teams [men and women], the SSM [Sports Science & Medicine] staff and the selection committees, Laxman said.

Meanwhile, Laxman has stated he only wants to contribute to Indian cricket with his duties at the CoE by estabilishing the structure, processes, and protocols at the facility. 

Also Read: Sarfaraz Khan Creates Headache For Gambhir: India's Selection Conundrums For 1st Test vs SL