VVS Laxman could soon move from running the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to a wider position across Indian cricket. An India Today report published on August 14, 2026, says the former India batter is likely to be considered for a new Director of Cricket role as the board reviews key positions ahead of September. BCCI, however, has not officially announced the appointment or the final job description.
If the proposal goes through, Laxman could become a central link between the senior men’s team, selectors, coaches, the Centre of Excellence and India’s development pathway. That would separate it from a head coach’s daily role and give BCCI one figure for longer-term planning. Here, “first” refers to a newly proposed BCCI-wide central role rather than the existing CoE leadership job.
What Has Been Reported About VVS Laxman’s New BCCI Role?
The reported plan comes at a busy point for Indian cricket. Ajit Agarkar remains chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, while Gautam Gambhir is head coach. Reports say Agarkar’s term is due for review in September, although an extension until June 2027 has also been discussed. BCCI has confirmed no change.
Key points around the proposed shake-up include:
- Laxman is being considered for a board-wide Director of Cricket position.
- The exact powers, reporting structure and appointment date remain unconfirmed.
- His responsibilities could extend beyond the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence.
- The role may connect selectors, coaches, high-performance teams and development programmes.
- Planning toward the 2027 ODI World Cup could become part of the job.
BCCI’s 2025 AGM retained Agarkar as selection chairman alongside Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Any restructuring would therefore touch a selection group formally announced less than a year ago.
How Could A Director Of Cricket Change India’s Current Structure?
Major responsibilities are spread across different groups. The head coach manages the senior team’s performance environment, selectors choose squads, and the Centre of Excellence handles development, fitness monitoring, rehabilitation and high-performance work. A Director of Cricket could connect these units as a central cricket authority, depending on BCCI’s final framework.
The biggest change may be continuity. One senior figure could follow the pathway from age-group cricket and India A into the senior side. Selection planning, workload discussions, injury information and succession plans could then move through a common channel.
BCCI’s recent Centre of Excellence feature shows that coordination already exists. The board says fitness status reports are shared with selectors, the head coach and BCCI, while workloads are tracked through an Athlete Management System and GPS tools. A broader Laxman role could formalise that network.
A Broader Role, Not Another Head Coach
The proposed job should not automatically be read as Laxman replacing Gambhir. BCCI’s official appointment note for Gautam Gambhir gives the head coach responsibility for the senior men’s team’s development and performance. A Director of Cricket would more likely focus on pathways, planning and coordination unless BCCI defines the post differently.
Why Does VVS Laxman Fit A Wider Cricket Operations Job?
Laxman already works across several layers of the Indian setup. He has led the national high-performance centre, worked with younger players and stepped in with the senior side when required. India Today also noted his recent 3-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe while Gambhir and the regular staff were rested.
His CoE responsibilities also place him inside one of Indian cricket’s hottest debates: fitness and workload. In August, Laxman explained that the CoE uses benchmark-based return-to-play processes, monitors bowling loads and has introduced the Bronco Test within its fitness work.
Sports Today has discussed the proposal on its official Instagram account, presenting Laxman as a possible central figure in BCCI’s cricket operations. Watch Sports Today’s official Instagram reel on VVS Laxman’s proposed BCCI role.
That gives BCCI an internal candidate to connect talent development with the senior team. It could also reduce gaps between selection, fitness clearance and coaching plans, though the role’s authority will depend on BCCI’s final terms.
What Happens Next For BCCI, Laxman And The Selection Setup?
September is now the date to watch. The board is expected to review key positions, with Agarkar’s selection tenure and the wider coaching structure already drawing attention. Until BCCI issues a formal statement, Laxman remains head of its Centre of Excellence and the Director of Cricket idea remains a reported proposal.
If created as a board-wide post, it could shift Indian cricket toward a more central operations structure. The biggest question will be where the Director’s authority begins and where the head coach, selectors and BCCI office-bearers retain final control.
FAQs
Has BCCI officially appointed VVS Laxman as Director of Cricket?
No. The appointment remains reported, and BCCI has not announced the role or responsibilities officially.
Would VVS Laxman replace Gautam Gambhir as India head coach?
Not necessarily. The proposed Director role appears broader, while Gambhir remains India’s senior head coach.
What would a BCCI Director of Cricket likely do?
The role could coordinate selectors, coaches, pathways, workload planning and high-performance programmes across Indian cricket.
Why is September important for the reported BCCI reshuffle?
Agarkar’s selection tenure faces review then, while BCCI may reconsider wider cricketing leadership roles internally.
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