File photo of VVS Laxman.
By Kushan Sarkar
"Indian cricket is in safe hands," gushed BCCI president Sourav Ganguly as his former illustrious teammates, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are now set to "give their all" in two influential positions.
Dravid was appointed head coach of the Indian team while Laxman is now set to head the National Cricket Academy. Ganguly, who as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president had roped in Laxman as the head of state unit's pilot project 'Vision 2020', knew his ability to work with junior players.
"I am very happy for them to be appointed as head coach and head of NCA because those are two very important positions in Indian cricket," Ganguly said.
Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman formed a strong middle order in the Indian team when they played together from 1996 to 2008. The BCCI top boss said 'touch artist' Laxman's stature in Indian cricket is above question.
How difficult it was to convince both Dravid and Laxman for their respective roles?
"You tell them that it's important and they agreed. We are extremely happy to have both of them and Indian cricket is in safe hands. More than emotional, I am happy that they have both agreed and they want to do it for Indian cricket," the former India captain said.
Laxman as NCA head according to Ganguly will make a difference because he is a fantastic human being who has a ceratin stature in Indian cricket.
"Laxman's ability to be committed made us select him. He has always been a fantastic person to work with. From that point of view, his stature in Indian cricket is beyond everything. Rahul has put a system in place in NCA and obviously that will help Laxman to carry forward the good work."
Laxman has sacrificed financially to take up this job
The BCCI president said that Laxman has actually given up his IPL mentorship contract with SunRisers Hyderabad and also lucrative commentary deal and his columns for various organisations to serve Indian cricket.
"He is shifting to Bangalore for next three years from Hyderabad just to serve Indian cricket. It's remarkable.
"Of course, his earnings will drop but yeah, he has agreed. His wife and kids will also shift. His children will now study in a school in Bangalore and there will be a massive change as a family to shift base," Laxman's one-time India teammate said.
"It's not easy unless you are so devoted to Indian cricket," he added. PTI KHS KHS AT
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