New Delhi: Former India cricketer VVS Laxman is reportedly said to join the coaching staff of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 season. The 49-year-old is currently serving as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
According to a Times of India report, Laxman is unlikely to extend his contract at the NCA, which ends in September this year. The Hyderabad-based coach joined the NCA setup in November 2021, taking over the charge from Rahul Dravid after he was elevated to the head coach role of the Indian men’s team.
Additionally, the report suggests that LSG are interested to rope in Laxman in their coaching group. The talks between the former player and LSG management has initiated in an informal manner but there is no confirmation at the moment.
Laxman was the mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from 2013 to 2021 before he moved to NCA. This happens to be his only coaching experience till now. Vikram Rathour, who has served two tenures of batting coach with the Indian men’s team under Ravi Shastri (2019-2021) and Rahul Dravid (2021-24), is reportedly said to take over the NCA head role from Laxman.
LSG likely to release KL Rahul ahead of IPL 2025 auction
The RPSG-owned franchise has no interest in retaining the services of their captain KL Rahul after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in the previous edition of IPL 2024 even though the team was strong contender to make it to the last four at one point. Rahul’s strike rate has been another issue, scoring 520 runs at 136.13 last season.
“LSG won’t retain Rahul because of technical reasons. His strike rate is main concern. But they may exercise right to match (RTM) option to keep him depending on option available in the auction,” a source, close to the development, told News9 Sports, as reported earlier on Sunday.
“At the mega auction, they would be looking to buy players who have impressive strike rates and are capable of explosive knocks that often shape the course of T20 matches,” the source added.
Rahul has captained LSG in 37 IPL matches from 2022 to 2024, having won 20 matches and lost 17. The franchise qualified for the playoffs in their inaugural season under the Karnataka player’s leadership. In IPL 2023, he captained in just nine matches before he pulled out in the midway of the season due to a hamstring injury.
He captained in 13 games in IPL 2024 with Nicholas Pooran standing in his place against Punjab Kings match, where Rahul played as an Impact player.
The report suggests that LSG are interested to rope in Laxman in their coaching group. The talks between the former player and LSG management has initiated in an informal manner but there is no confirmation at the moment. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
