New Delhi. Former Indian cricket team batting coach Vikram Rathore, whose contract ended last month, may now replace VVS Laxman as the new head of the National Cricket Academy. According to media reports, Laxman's contract as NCA head ends in September, and he is unlikely to renew it.

Sports Tak quoted a source as saying,"There is every possibility that you will see Vikram Rathore becoming the president of NCA. At present, a decision on the renewal of VVS Laxman's contract is yet to be taken, but the talks from his side are not positive."However, any announcement in this regard will be made after BCCI secretary Jay Shah returns from Sri Lanka.

Shah is currently in Sri Lanka to attend the ICC AGM and will talk to Laxman after returning. The source said, " Vikram Rathore may be asked to take charge at the NCA. After the ICC meeting, the BCCI secretary (Jay Shah) may talk to VVS and understand his point of view."

55-year-old Vikram Rathour, who played 6 Tests and seven ODIs for India during his two-year international career, was appointed India's batting coach in August 2019 after Sanjay Bangar's contract ended. He was retained as batting coach when Rahul Dravid took over the Indian team as head coach in November 2021.

VVS Laxman, who replaced Dravid as the NCA chief in November 2021, served as India's interim head coach during the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. After Dravid's contract expired and Gautam Gambhir was not finalised as the head coach, Laxman was given the responsibility and under his guidance, the young Indian team led by Shubman Gill bounced back from a shocking defeat in the series opener to win the series by a margin of 4-1.

This was not the first time Laxman served as India's interim head coach. Laxman was also in charge of Team India during the five-match T20 series against Australia last year and in 2022, he served as interim head coach during Ireland's tour of India and the India-South Africa ODI series in October.