Last Updated: September 3, 2026 01:11 PM
Coaching assignments always spark curiosity among passionate Indian cricket followers. A surprising change is now shaping India’s upcoming Asian Games campaign. Here is the complete picture behind this coaching decision.
Gautam Gambhir Skips India’s Asian Games 2026 Campaign
Gautam Gambhir will not travel to Japan for Asian Games 2026 duties. India’s focus shifts back to T20I cricket after the Sri Lanka Tests. A three-match Afghanistan T20I series comes just before this major tournament.
The cricket competition runs from September 24 to October 3 this year. Shreyas Iyer will lead India after recently earning the T20I captaincy role. India have named a full-strength squad, making them clear tournament favourites here.
Despite this strength, India enter directly at the qualifier stage on September 28. Gambhir’s absence links directly to India’s home ODI series against West Indies.
VVS Laxman Steps In for Asian Games 2026
VVS Laxman is reportedly set to take charge as head coach instead. Reports from PTI confirm Sunil Joshi will assist him closely too. Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh will also join this experienced coaching setup.
Maroof Fajandar from Cric Ops will serve as support staff Team Leader. Laxman previously coached India successfully during the recent Zimbabwe series campaign. That successful stint has boosted confidence in his coaching abilities significantly.
There have been reports about the BCCI considering a bigger role. This bigger role could expand Laxman’s influence within Indian cricket further. Laxman will now aim to continue his strong recent coaching record confidently.
His main goal remains guiding India toward another Asian Games gold medal. India enters this tournament as the defending Asian Games gold medal champions.
What This Coaching Change Means for India
This coaching shift shows how the BCCI manages overlapping international commitments carefully. Gambhir stays focused on the crucial West Indies ODI series instead.
Laxman gets a fresh opportunity to prove his coaching credentials again. Fans will closely watch how this leadership change affects India’s tournament performance.
India’s defending champion status adds extra pressure onto this experienced coaching group. The coming weeks will reveal whether this switch delivers continued cricketing success.
