Former India batter and current National Cricket Academy (NCA) head in Bengaluru, VVS Laxman has reportedly been approached by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to join the franchise ahead of IPL 2025.

VVS Laxman was the first choice of BCCI to succeed Rahul Dravid as the Team India head coach. However, Laxman declined the offer citing unwillingness to travel with the Indian team for 10 months in a year.

Before taking on the NCA role, Laxman was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad coaching staff as their mentor. Hence, the LSG franchise is keen to rope in Laxman to fill the team mentor position left empty by Gautam Gambhir, who moved to KKR ahead of IPL 2024.

There's nothing concrete yet. However, the LSG management has had informal talks with Laxman.

Also, sources have indicated that Laxman is not willing to continue as the NCA head, a position he has held since 2021. His tenure ends in September and speculations are rife that Laxman may not seek an extension at NCA from BCCI.

Laxman had shifted base to Bengaluru with his family from Hyderabad for an NCA job, but now he has feelers from several different IPL franchises.

Meanwhile, Vikram Rathour’s name has been rumored to be the next NCA head. Rathour was India's batting coach under Ravi Shastri and then Rahul Dravid. Before that Rathour was a national selector having been part of the BCCI ecosystem since 2012.

(Times of India report)