New Delhi: The Indian team, which is on a tour of Zimbabwe to play a three-match ODI series, will be seen playing in this series under the guidance of VVS Laxman. National Cricket Academy (NCA) cheif VVS Laxman will be India's acting head coach over Zimbabwe. Head coach Rahul Dravid has been rested in view of the Asia Cup to be held in the UAE from August 27. While Laxman will be the head coach of the team in the series against Zimbabwe, India Under-19 coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar will be seen in the role of Team India's batting coach.  

Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey have also been given a break from the Zimbabwe tour. Both of them will now join Team India for the Asia Cup 2022. The Kanitkar-coached team led India U-19 to a world cup triumph last year under Yash Dhull's captaincy. On the tour of Ireland, Sitanshu Kotak was the batting coach of the Hardik Pandya-led side and now Kanitkar will be on tour with the senior team for the first time. Kotak will now oversee the Under-19 camp at the NCA in Bengaluru.

A senior BCCI official told the media, "He has done a fantastic job with the Under-19 team and that is why he has been given the command on the Zimbabwe tour. It's good for both. Kanitkar's expertise will also benefit the senior team, as many players have worked with him in the NCA. VVS Laxman will also accompany it. All the players share an excellent rapport with VVS.''

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