Bengaluru: VVS Laxman, head of cricket at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, is returning to the Asian Games as coach of the Indian cricket team, 25 years after playing in the 1998 Commonwealth Games. He emphasizes the value of multi-sport events for young cricketers and the importance of knowledge sharing between teams.
India debuted in the Asian Games in 2023, but first competed at a multi-sport event in 1998 at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The 1998 team, featuring Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, and Harbhajan Singh, did not advance past the league phase. Now, as coach, Laxman guided India to gold in Hangzhou. The Shreyas Iyer-led team will begin its defense of the title on Sept. 28 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, starting with the quarterfinals.
Laxman described the unique appeal of multi-sport events, stating, “My first experience of a multi-discipline event was at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. The whole experience of being part of the Indian contingent feels really great, and that kind of experience every young cricketer should get. It's great that I've had that opportunity both as a player and coach.” He highlighted the exposure to other sports and athletes as a key benefit, recalling how the team visited the Games village and supported the Indian badminton team during the Hangzhou games.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are seeded directly into the quarterfinals. Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Oman will compete for the remaining four spots. Laxman cautioned against underestimating any opponent, recalling Nepal’s strong performance against India in the previous edition of the games, where India won by 23 runs. India will play Japan and train in Tokyo for three days before the quarterfinals.
Beyond competition, Laxman stressed the importance of knowledge sharing. “Given the experience and the exposure the Indian cricketers have, at the end of the match it's also about sharing that experience with players from other countries,” he said. He recounted an instance after the previous Asian Games where the Nepal coach invited him to speak with his team, providing an opportunity to share knowledge. “It's not just me, but that's the way the entire group of players will approach the experience,” Laxman stated.
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