New Delhi In what could be a massive administrative shift in the history of Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly planning to appoint legendary batsman VVS Laxman as the Director of Cricket. This unprecedented move would make the former cricketer the overarching boss of both the national team head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Until now, major cricketing decisions were largely driven by the board president and secretary, making this a historic structural change for the sport in the country.
Currently serving as the head of the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Laxman is expected to see a significant expansion in his powers. In his new capacity as the Director of Cricket, he will oversee the senior national team, the coaching staff, the selection committee, and the player development pathways. His primary mandate will involve streamlining talent identification, monitoring high performance planning, and ensuring seamless coordination between the national squad and domestic cricket systems.
This potential appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the cricket board. The tenure of chief selector Ajit Agarkar is scheduled to conclude in September, prompting a comprehensive review of the entire coaching and selection framework. Laxman has already been deeply involved with the senior setup, often stepping in as the interim head coach when required. He recently guided a young Indian squad to a dominant three zero series victory during the Zimbabwe tour, temporarily taking charge while regular coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff were resting.
If formalized, the Director of Cricket role will centralize the sporting operations of the board under one experienced cricketing mind. It represents a major shift from pure administrative control to a specialized sporting leadership model. With crucial global tournaments lined up in the coming years, having a veteran like Laxman at the helm of all cricket matters could provide the strategic stability and long term vision that the national team requires.