VVS (Very Very Special as fans used to call him) Laxman has been appointed as the interim coach of Team India during a short period for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand. Head coach Rahul Dravid has been given a break by the team management.
While Hardik Pandya will lead Team India in the T20I series, Shikhar Dhawan will be the skipper for the ODIs.
While talking about Team India’s preparation on the eve of the first T20I in Wellington, Laxman heaped praise on Pandya.
“Hardik is a fabulous leader. We have seen what he has done as a captain with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Taking leadership in the first year of the franchise in the tournament, and winning the league is not a mean achievement. I have spent a lot of time with him since the Ireland series. He is just not only tactically sound, but he is very calm on the field and that is something which is very important at the highest level,” said Laxman.
“There would be situations when you would be under tremendous pressure and that is when you are required to be calm as a leader. Also, his presence in the dressing room and his work ethics are exemplary. The way Hardik leads the side both on and off the field is fabulous. I think he is a players’ captain, he is very approachable. All the players go up to him and confide with him. I think that is something which I really like about Hardik,” added the legendary batsman.