VVS Laxman will take charge of India’s men’s cricket team at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as the defending champions prepare for another T20 gold-medal run. The appointment comes because Gautam Gambhir will remain with India’s ODI side for the home series against the West Indies. India’s leadership question, however, is already settled: Shreyas Iyer has been named captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The Games run from September 19 to October 4, while men’s cricket is scheduled from September 24 to October 3.
Why Is VVS Laxman Coaching India At Asian Games 2026?
Laxman is not stepping into unfamiliar territory. He coached India’s men to gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and has repeatedly handled national sides when the regular coaching group has been assigned elsewhere. He currently heads cricket operations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, keeping him closely involved with players moving between domestic cricket, India A and the senior team.
The Sports Ministry-approved support group for the men’s side also includes Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. The timing explains why India have split duties. The West Indies ODI series begins on September 27, a day before India enter the Asian Games quarter-finals, leaving Gambhir with the ODI group at home. The coaching arrangement was confirmed as India finalised its contingent for Japan.
Laxman’s previous Asian Games campaign ended with India taking gold after the 2023 final against Afghanistan was washed out. India were awarded first place because they were the higher-seeded team. Japan now gives him a chance to defend that title with a far more experienced squad.
Who Will Lead India’s Men’s Cricket Team In Japan?
There is no captaincy race now. The BCCI’s June squad announcement confirmed Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as deputy. Iyer has also continued as India’s T20I captain in the September series against Afghanistan, giving the Asian Games group a short competitive run before travelling to Japan.
The official BCCI X squad post also placed Iyer at the head of a 15-player group containing several senior international names. That makes this different from the youthful squad India sent to Hangzhou three years ago.
India’s main leadership group should look like this:
- Shreyas Iyer: confirmed captain and the main decision-maker in close T20 situations.
- Tilak Varma: vice-captain and a left-handed middle-order option with growing leadership responsibility.
- Jasprit Bumrah: senior fast bowler whose availability remains tied to fitness clearance before the Games.
- Axar Patel: experienced all-rounder who can influence bowling changes and match-ups against right-handers.
- Sanju Samson: senior wicketkeeper-batter who adds another experienced voice during field settings and chases.
The squad also features Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Bumrah’s fitness is one of the biggest selection stories before departure, while Sooryavanshi remains the headline young name in the group. The ICC’s Asian Games squad list currently carries the same 15 names.
What Does India’s Asian Games 2026 Cricket Route Look Like?
India are one of four seeded men’s teams alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, so they skip the preliminary groups. The official Aichi-Nagoya cricket schedule puts India directly into a quarter-final on September 28 against the second-placed team from Group A. Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal are in that group.
If India win, their semi-final is scheduled for October 1. The bronze-medal match and final will both be played on October 3. Men’s cricket is being staged in the T20 format at Korogi Athletic Park. The draw places India and Pakistan in opposite halves, meaning they can only meet in the gold-medal final if both keep winning.
Afghanistan also remains a possible early opponent after featuring in the rain-hit 2023 gold-medal match. India could draw Afghanistan, Japan or Nepal depending on which team finishes second in Group A.
Why Is India’s Title Defence Drawing So Much Attention?
The squad combines established T20 players, returning names and one of Indian cricket’s most watched teenagers. Iyer and Tilak provide the formal leadership, while Bumrah, Axar and Samson give Laxman experienced options during pressure phases. The Afghanistan T20I series in Delhi from September 13 to 17 should also offer a final check on combinations and fitness before the squad leaves for Japan.
India will begin as one of the leading contenders, but the short knockout format leaves little room for a slow start. One difficult powerplay or one poor death-over spell can end a medal campaign quickly. Laxman has already taken India through that environment once. This time, he returns with Iyer as captain and a squad carrying far more senior-team experience.
FAQs
Who Is India’s Captain For Asian Games 2026 Cricket?
Shreyas Iyer will captain India, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain for the men’s tournament.
Why Is Gautam Gambhir Not Coaching India At The Asian Games?
Gambhir will remain with India’s ODI squad during the overlapping home series against West Indies.
When Will India Play Their First Asian Games 2026 Cricket Match?
India will enter directly in the quarter-final on September 28 against Group A’s second-placed team.
Is Jasprit Bumrah In India’s Asian Games 2026 Squad?
Yes, Bumrah is selected, although his participation remains dependent on receiving the required fitness clearance.
Where Will Asian Games 2026 Cricket Be Played?
The T20 cricket competition will be staged at Korogi Athletic Park during the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
