VVS Laxman and Hrishikesh Kanitkar have been named as the head coaches for India's men's and women's cricket teams at the upcoming Asian Games 2023. This appointment reflects the nation's commitment to achieving excellence in the sport on the global stage.
For the Asian Games campaign, Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the Indian men's team, while the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur will take charge of the women's team. Additionally, the coaching staff for both teams has been finalized, with Sairaj Bahutule and Munish Bali being appointed as the men's team's bowling and fielding coaches, respectively. Rajib Dutta and Subhadeep Ghosh will assume these roles for the women's team.
VVS Laxman, a renowned figure in Indian cricket, currently heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He will take on the responsibility of coaching the reserve men's squad at the Asian Games, while the main squad focuses on preparations for the upcoming World Cup, commencing on October 5.
Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who has previously led the women's team during various series, brings a wealth of experience to his coaching role. Notably, Nooshin Al Khadeer, a former India bowler, temporarily coached the women's team for a white-ball tour of Bangladesh after Ramesh Powar's transfer to the NCA.
Both the Indian men's and women's teams will enter the Asian Games 2023 at the quarter-finals stage. The men's quarter-final match is scheduled for October 3, with the potential for semi-finals on October 5 and the title clash on October 7. In contrast, the women's team will contest their quarter-final on September 21, with the possibility of a semi-final on September 23 and the final on September 25.
These exciting cricket matches will unfold at the Pingfeng campus cricket ground of Zhejiang University of Technology (ZJUT), setting the stage for thrilling cricketing action.
The squads for both teams feature prominent players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma, among others. Standby players have also been identified to bolster the teams as they embark on their Asian Games journey.
With the guidance of accomplished coaches and the participation of talented players, India's cricket teams are poised for a competitive and exciting outing at the Asian Games 2023, aiming to add to the nation's rich cricketing legacy.
