VVS Laxman is the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team that is taking part in the Asian Games. (Image: IANS)
The Indian men’s cricket team will look to replicate the heroics of the women’s team as the latter went on to secure a historic gold medal at the Asian Games.
The coach of the Indian men’s team for their upcoming T20 tournament at the Asian Games said that participating in the multi-sport event is a great opportunity for the entire team and also gives players huge pride.
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The skipper of the side, opening batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the men in blue at the Asian Games where they take on Nepal in the quarter-finals on Tuesday making it the first time the men’s cricket team are participating in a multi-sport event.
“Yes, it’s very different. We never ever thought that we will play cricket in China. But is a great opportunity for the entire team because participating in the Asian Games itself is a big opportunity and a matter of great pride for all these players. So, really looking forward to this tournament,” said Laxman in a video posted on bcci.tv, in a chat with reporters.
Other members in the side include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tripathi.
READ MORE: ‘Few Things I Took from MS Dhoni, Will Try to be Myself’: Ruturaj Gaikwad Gears up for India Captaincy at Asian Games – News18
The matches will be held at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China, where the Indian women’s team had won the gold medal in the initial days of the competition.
“The organisers have made a decent infrastructure and I hope there will be support for us once we start playing the matches. When the women’s team played here, they got a lot of support, realised their potential and won the gold. So, we are also expecting the same when we start playing out games tomorrow,” added Laxman, the NCA head.
Asked about the nature of the pitch and the possible playing eleven, Laxman, a legendary mainstay with the bat in the Indian Test side, said, “Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the wicket as matches have been going on and hopefully, this afternoon, we get to see what wicket we play on. Based on that, we will come up with our strategies.”
READ MORE: ‘Exciting Time for Ruturaj Gaikwad, I Think Selectors Look at Him as a Leader’: Saba Karim – News18
Laxman signed off by hoping that cricket gets included in the Olympics, something which could become a possibility during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and is still under consideration.
“T20 is an ideal format to be part of the Olympics. Hope that in the near future, cricket will become a part of the Olympics and all the cricketers will get an opportunity to represent the country and win medals for the country in the Olympics.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – IANS)
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