Asia Cup: VVS Laxman named India's interim coach after Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID

24.08.2022 - 17:41 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

VVS Laxman will take over as India's interim coach for the Asia Cup after head coach Rahul Dravid tested positive for COVID-19, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Wednesday.

Laxman, who is also the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, had led the second-string side that beat Zimbabwe in a three-match one-day international series this month.

Read AlsoAsia Cup 2022, India vs Pakistan: Watch out for these key player battlesIndia and Pakistan are set to clash in their Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on August 28.

TimesofIndia.com here looks at some of the key player battles that can be the difference between victory and defeat and what you need to watch out for.

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Ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia, which starts in mid-October, the Indian cricket team got a wake-up call in the Asia Cup. The Rahul Dravid-coached side could not enter the final after losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super 4. When Dravid was appointed the Indian cricket team head coach in 2021, expectations were really high from the batting great. Now, the former Indian cricket team captain faces an acid Test going into the T20 World Cup. Former BCCI selector Saba Karim says that this is a 'crunch time' for Dravid.

Asia Cup 2022: Out Of Sorts India Face Tricky Afghanistan

All but out of reckoning for the summit clash, a dishevelled India would like to put their house in order before facing a gutsy Afghanistan team which could prove to be a proverbial banana peel in the final Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup on Thursday. The Indian team hasn't performed to its full potential in the Super 4 stage and lack of resources and poor team selection can also be blamed for back-to-back demoralising defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. What ails the current Indian team is lack of flexibility in its planning and perhaps a few fingers will be pointed at head coach Rahul Dravid.

Asia Cup: Out of sorts India face tricky Afghanistan

The Indian team hasn't performed to its full potential in the Super 4 stage and lack of resources and poor team selection can also be blamed for back-to-back demoralising defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. What ails the current Indian team is lack of flexibility in its planning and perhaps a few fingers will be pointed at head coach Rahul Dravid. It seems that Dravid is wary of taking a few hard calls when it comes to team selections as the team does not seem to have a Plan B in its armoury.

Avesh Khan out of remainder of Asia Cup, Deepak Chahar drafted in

Asia Cup due to fever related illness, a senior BCCI official confirmed the development on Tuesday. Seamer Deepak Chahar, who was in stand by for the tournament, has been drafted in. "Avesh has fever and he has also got sinus related problems which has escalated post illness.

Avesh Khan Out Of Asia Cup Due To Illness, Deepak Chahar Drafted In: Report

Pacer Avesh Khan has been ruled out of the remainder of the Asia Cup due to fever related illness, a senior BCCI official confirmed the development on Tuesday. Seamer Deepak Chahar, who was in stand by for the tournament, has been drafted in. "Avesh has fever and he has also got sinus related problems which has escalated post illness. It will not be possible for him to take further part in the tournament. Deepak Chahar is already there and he will be drafted in the main squad," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Avesh has been in poor form since the tour of West Indies and the Indian team management's worries increased after he was hit for 50-plus runs by Hong Kong batters.

Asia Cup 2022, India vs Pakistan: Did Rahul Dravid Hesitate At Using The Word "Sexy" In A Press Conference?

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was all praise for his side's bowling attack ahead of their Asia Cup Super 4 encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan. While addressing a press conference, Dravid was talking about how while India's bowling attack may not look as glamourous, they get the job done. While trying to explain this, he got stuck at a word, but showed quick wit to get the message across without uttering it.