India’s emphatic 3-0 T20I sweep over Zimbabwe did more than end a forgettable run of results. Just weeks after a disastrous tour of the UK, where the team was whitewashed 4-0 by England in the T20Is, lost a T20I series to Ireland and also surrendered the ODI series to England, the turnaround under stand-in coach VVS Laxman gave fans plenty to cheer and even more to debate.
The chatter intensified after the BCCI released a dressing-room video from Harare, where Laxman and captain Shreyas Iyer exchanged heartfelt words following the clean sweep. The clip quickly went viral, triggering memes, comparisons and calls from sections of fans on social media for Laxman to replace Gautam Gambhir as India’s full-time head coach, despite Gambhir merely taking a scheduled break after the England tour.
Laxman, who stepped in while Gambhir and the senior coaching staff took time off ahead of India’s Test series against Sri Lanka, was overseeing a relatively inexperienced squad. With several regulars unavailable, including Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, India responded with an authoritative series win that also marked a welcome reset after the disappointment of the UK tour.
In the dressing-room address shared by the BCCI, Laxman singled out Shreyas Iyer for the way he responded after a difficult start to his captaincy stint.
“I would like to specially congratulate Shreyas because he had a rough start to his captaincy career but the way he came back, right from the first day when he joined us one day before the first game, he was very optimistic.”
Laxman also praised Iyer for bringing belief to a squad featuring several new faces.
“It’s a new group of players. We know that only four or five of those who were there in England joined us on this tour. But he was so confident and a lot of credit for this victory should be given to the captain, the way he encouraged each one of you.”
Iyer, in turn, acknowledged the role Laxman played in helping the squad move on from the setbacks of the previous tour.
“I think we were flawless, honestly speaking, throughout the series barring the catches that we dropped. It was a phenomenal effort by everyone in the team, including the support staff.”
“Thank you VVS sir for motivating us and inspiring us. Each and every day when we stepped onto the field, I think everything that you mentioned was apt and we could relate to it. So, thank you so much.”
LAXMAN PUTS THE SPECULATION TO REST
As the dressing-room video gathered millions of views, so did the comparisons between Laxman and Gambhir. While fans credited Laxman’s calm presence and man-management for India’s revival, the former India batter made it clear that the online debate had no bearing on reality.
Addressing the speculation after the series, Laxman reiterated that he was only filling in while Gambhir and the senior coaching staff took a break following a demanding England tour.
“Look, the captain, the head coach, and the support staff of the senior team, they just finished their series in England, and they’re going to have a Test series in Sri Lanka. So, this is the only break they have, and that’s the reason I chipped in,” Laxman said at the post-match press conference.
He also explained that stepping in for the senior team has long been part of his responsibilities as Head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
“This has been happening for the last four years, since the time I took on the role of the Head of Cricket at the COE.”
Laxman added that his role at the Centre of Excellence remains deeply rewarding because it allows him to work with cricketers across every level of India’s pathway system.
“For me, it’s a great opportunity to spend time with the players. In this role, it’s been quite a fulfilling experience, where I’m not only working with the senior Indian cricketers, both men and women, but also being part of the entire pathway program.”
WHY LAXMAN KEEPS RETURNING
This was far from Laxman’s first successful stint as India’s stand-in coach. Whether in Ireland, Zimbabwe or South Africa, he has repeatedly delivered series victories whenever called upon, while also guiding India to the men’s cricket gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
That record is precisely why the 50-year-old continues to be the BCCI’s trusted troubleshooter whenever the schedules of the senior side and a second-string team overlap. He is expected to reprise that role at the 2026 Asian Games, while Gambhir returns to oversee India’s Test campaign in Sri Lanka.
For now, the Zimbabwe triumph may have fuelled memes and social media debates over India’s coaching future, but Laxman himself has left little room for doubt. Gambhir remains firmly in charge, while the former batting great continues to play the role he has embraced for years — India’s dependable stand-in whenever duty calls.
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