Dravid given a break, set to sit out tour of Zimbabwe, Laxman to coach

Rahul Dravid, India’s coach, has been given a break of a few days and VVS Laxman will coach the Indian team on their tour of Zimbabwe. Rahul’s support staff members Vikram Rathour, the batting coach, and Paras Mhambrey, the bowling coach, too have been rested and Laxman will have the former leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule and Hrishikesh Kanitkar as his deputies. Dravid will join the team for the Asia Cup later this month.

Barring the break during the IPL, Dravid has been on the road for nine-and-half months and five series since he took over last November.

The BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed the decision to The Indian Express. “VVS Laxman will be travelling with the Indian team to Zimbabwe. We have decided to give Rahul a few days’ break. As the Indian team for Asia Cup will be travelling on August 20, it would have been impossible for him to travel from Zimbabwe to Dubai. As a result Laxman will be the Indian team coach,”