VVS Laxman Takes Charge As India Gets Ready For England Test Series Without Gambhir

With Team India all set to play the eagerly awaited five-match Test series against England from June 20 at Headingley the limelight has fallen on the surprise yet tested player. With Gautam Gambhir unavailable for the time being because of a personal crisis the onus of taking charge of preparations fell on VVS Laxman. National Cricket Academy chief Laxman is already on a tour to London for the U-19 trip and his arrival has been timely. His laid-back nature and vast experience of the game are likely to provide a solid backing to the team during this transition phase.

Laxman's appointment might have come under unexpected circumstances but it is not new ground for the erstwhile batting great. He has done coaching duties in the past and even led the national team in a T20I series versus South Africa. With Gambhir taking care of his sick mother Laxman's experience and leadership will be crucial as the team tries to acclimatize in English conditions and prepare properly. No return date has yet been officially fixed for Gambhir but meanwhile the focus of the team remains on adjusting to the demanding English pitches and conditions.

The loss of some of India's most seasoned players is a start of a new era in the red-ball cricket journey of the nation. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli two cornerstones of Indian Test cricket retired from the game just weeks ago ahead of the England series. Their exit has made way for emerging stars to take charge. Shubman Gill will be charged with the responsibility of captaincy and Rishabh Pant will be his deputy. This decision has been made at a time when the team is already set to face the arduous task of playing in England a destination famous for putting even the strongest teams to test.

The departure of veteran campaigners does not stop with Kohli and Rohit. Ravichandran Ashwin who for years was renowned for his shrewd off-spin acumen also declared his retirement in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Also, Mohammed Shami has been left out of the team due to fitness issues. These omissions have left the team light on experience but rich in opportunity for emerging stars to demonstrate their talent on one of cricket's biggest platforms.

One of the principal challenges for India will be how they handle Jasprit Bumrah's availability. The side will need to employ the fast bowler in a planned manner since he will be available for at most three of the five games. This can be a critical factor in determining the team's bowling strategy and how they allocate their pace resources throughout the series. With Shami not available and Bumrah handled with care the younger pace bowlers could be required to take on greater responsibilities and perform under pressure.

Australian great Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain, has shown his faith in this developing Indian team. He feels that despite the absence of a number of big players India has sufficient depth and talent at hand to fare well in England. Clarke pointed out that a lot will also hinge on how the younger players cope with the conditions and how they negotiate the mental and technical pressure of Test cricket in England. He termed the challenge as challenging but was positive about India's prospects with the likes of Gill and Pant coming in as leaders.

The series is set to be a test not only of ability but of character. England's pitches tend to provide movement for seamers and require technical finesse from batsmen. Getting used to swing seam and sometimes capricious bounce is something that will challenge India's new crop. Laxman's presence in the camp can also contribute to soothing nerves and giving players technical and emotional guidance. His experience with working under high-pressure situations may prove to be a precious asset in practice sessions and meetings.

As the anticipation mounts among supporters and commentators, the Indian side is paying attention to the preparation work that needs to be accomplished in the run-up to the first Test. That involves acclimatising to English weather adjusting to the Dukes ball and sharpening game plans for each team. Without some of their regular leaders the dressing room atmosphere is set to be different but this different also brings with it the possibilities for fresh voices and new ideas to be heard.

The journey from here is not easy but having the presence of a stalwart like VVS Laxman gives confidence. His cricketing experience and composed nature can be the perfect combination for a team that is stepping into a new era. While practicing in his care, the players will seek to learn not only technical facets but also mental understanding before taking on England in one of the toughest cricketing conditions.

Although Gautam Gambhir is away from the team temporarily his philosophies and strategies are probably still working for the team from behind. The players and support staff are in touch and together working towards the common agenda of producing a good performance. Whatever be the exercise from team selection to workload management or preparation for sessions the impact of the entire coaching staff still persists even if all of them are not physically around.

This Test series is not merely a cricket contest. It is a change in Indian cricket where greats give way to the next generation of stars. Players such as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are not only playing crucial roles but also scripting the future of the team. Supported by elders such as VVS Laxman the team has all the ammunition it requires to meet the challenge. The fans will be eagerly waiting as India start this new chapter in England with hope pride and determination.