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The Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah has recently announced that former Indian batsman VVS Laxman will be the Men in Blue's head coach for the Zimbabwe ODI series starting from August 18. The decision to rest Rahul Dravid came due to the hectic schedule of Indian cricket as India will be playing the Asia Cup 2022 starting from August 27 in UAE.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah told PTI on Friday, "Yes, VVS Laxman will be in charge of the Indian team in Zimbabwe for the three-match ODI series. It's not like Rahul Dravid is taking a break. The ODI series in Zimbabwe finishes on August 22 and Dravid along with Indian team will reach the UAE on August 23. Since there is little gap between the two events, Laxman will be in charge of the Indian squad in Zimbabwe."

"Since only KL and Hooda are there with the ODI squad in Zimbabwe, it was only logical that the head coach would be with the T20 squad," he added.

Earlier, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was set to take the skipper role for the Zimbabwe series but KL Rahul, who is recently declared fit for the series, is set to replace him as the Indian skipper.

Team India's three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe is scheduled to take place from August 18 to August 22. The NCA coach Laxman has already coached Team India against Ireland and in first T20I against England this year.