Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 3: Former India cricketer VVS Laxman is set to take charge as head coach of the Indian cricket team at the upcoming Asian Games, with Shreyas Iyer named captain of the side.

The cricket competition at the Asian Games will begin on September 24, with both the men’s and women’s Indian teams participating. India will enter the men’s competition as one of the favourites for the gold medal.

According to a report, Laxman will be assisted by Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. Maroof Fajandar will serve as the team leader of the support staff.

India have received direct qualification to the quarter-finals and will play the second quarter-final of the tournament. Pakistan will feature in the first quarter-final, while the opponents for both teams are yet to be determined.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured direct entry into the quarter-final stage.

Laxman’s appointment comes as India’s multi-format series against the West Indies clashes with the Asian Games. With two separate Indian squads set to compete simultaneously, Laxman will oversee the team participating in the continental event.

Shreyas Iyer will lead a strong Indian squad featuring Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

India squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.