India, June 16 -- The presence of former India cricketer VVS Laxman, who is officially associated with the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, in the intra-squad game in Kent on Saturday amid the absence of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who returned to India the same day owing to personal reasons, sparked various speculations. One of them pertained to whether he was filling the role of Gambhir until his return. Not to forget, Laxman was reportedly the first choice for the BCCI officials as Rahul Dravid's successor for the head coach role.

Laxman has extensive experience playing in England. Donning the Indian white, he has been on three tours of the country-2002, 2007, and 2011-scoring 586 runs in 19 innings, including five fifties. He...