India will play their first match in the Asia Cup on Sunday (August 28) against Pakistan. Team India’s preparations suffered a major blow when Rahul Dravid, the head coach of Team India, got infected with Corona. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sought help from VVS Lakshman in this difficult time. He has been asked to stay with the team in UAE. The BCCI said on Wednesday that Laxman has been appointed as the team’s interim coach for the Asia Cup.
Laxman was also appointed interim coach for the tour of Zimbabwe after the series against Ireland. National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief Laxman was supposed to return to India from Zimbabwe but has reached UAE. The players who were not selected for the Asia Cup have returned home. Along with Laxman, vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan will also be in Dubai.
Laxman Dubai has joined Rohit Sharma-led Team India. The BCCI has sent him to Dubai as an alternative to Dravid. Dravid will join the team after recovering from Corona. Under Laxman’s coaching, Team India defeated Ireland 2-0 in the two-match T20 series and Zimbabwe 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.
BCCI informed Dravid about corona infection
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said about Dravid being Covid positive. He said that before Team India left for Dubai, Rahul was found infected in the Corona test. He has mild symptoms and is being monitored by the BCCI medical team. Dravid will not be accompanying the team to the UAE for now and Paras Mahambre will be given his role. Dravid will be able to join the Indian team after recovering from Corona.
India’s first match in the Asia Cup is against Pakistan
Asia Cup 2022 will be played in T20 format this year and it is starting from August 27. India’s first match is against Pakistan on August 28. Team India will want to avenge the defeat in 2021 by winning this match in Dubai. Last year in Dubai itself, Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets. This was the first time when Team India lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match. Now India has a chance to avenge this defeat.