Balaji has represented India in 8 Tests, 30 ODIs and 5 T20Is.
Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has been appointed as the head coach of India A for their home multi-format series against Australia A in Puducherry.
Balaji, currently serving as bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), takes over the reins as CoE chief VVS Laxman travels with the senior T20I side to Japan for the Asian Games 2026.
Balaji, who has represented India in 8 Tests, 30 ODIs and 5 T20Is, himself confirmed the news to Sportstar.
The 44-year-old Balaji is expected to bring along with him a sizable amount of coaching experience from the domestic circuit and the IPL as he has been involved with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Tamil Nadu, in the past.
The multi-format home assignment will be played entirely at the CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry from September 22 to October 11. The series consists of two unofficial four-day Test matches and three one-dayers.
Devdutt Padikkal will lead India A in the four-day fixtures while Ruturaj Gaikwad will take the reins for one-dayers.