DUBAI: V.V.S. 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.

Dravid tested positive on Tuesday before the team’s departure to the United Arab Emirates and will join them once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI medical team.

“Laxman... will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for Covid-19 before the team’s departure to the UAE,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

“Laxman has linked up with the squad in Dubai along with vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare.”

Dravid will join the team in UAE once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team.

The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, assembled in the UAE on Tuesday for the six-nation tournament, which also serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in October.

India will begin their Asia Cup defence with Sunday’s blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the six-team Twenty20 tournament. The tournament begins on Saturday, with Sri Lanka taking on Afghan­istan.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2022