‘He Is a Player’s Captain’: VVS Laxman Praises Shreyas Iyer After India’s Asian Games Gold

India’s Asian Games head coach VVS Laxman has praised captain Shreyas Iyer for his leadership after India retained the men’s cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, describing him as a “player’s captain” who leads by example.

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday to defend their Asian Games title. Abhishek Sharma’s 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 22 powered India to 211/6.

Pakistan mounted a strong chase, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 96 off 51 balls, but India’s all-rounders and spinners held their nerve to restrict the side to 192/6. Shiv Dube dismissed Nawaz off the final delivery to seal the gold medal for India.

Reflecting on Iyer’s first major assignment as captain, Laxman praised his preparation, tactical awareness and ability to create a comfortable environment for his players.

“It’s just the start of his captaincy career, but I’m sure that he’ll actually get a lot of success. And he’s a player’s captain. He makes everyone very, very comfortable and leads by example, whether with the bat or on the field,” Laxman said in a BCCI video.

Laxman said Iyer was meticulous in preparing for matches, studying the strengths and weaknesses of opponents before team meetings and placing strong emphasis on fitness.

He also highlighted Iyer’s tactical acumen, particularly in the T20 format, where he believes captains must anticipate developments and remain ahead of the opposition.

“I think you’re required to be one or two steps ahead of the opposition, and the way he assesses the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses prepares him really well,” Laxman said.

The former India batter also credited the squad’s adaptability for its successful campaign. The team faced challenging weather, travel difficulties and limited opportunities for outdoor practice after arriving in Japan, but Laxman said the players remained committed to preparing for the important matches.

He praised their ability to adapt to varying playing conditions, including a difficult surface in the semi-final, while maintaining an attacking approach. He also lauded the organisers for ensuring the knockout matches were played despite heavy rain.

Laxman said the campaign was also evidence of India’s growing cricketing depth, crediting the selection committee, team management, Centre of Excellence and BCCI for pathway and development programmes designed to nurture future players.

“We’ve got an abundance of talented players who will get a lot of laurels for our country, not only now but going forward over the next 5-10 years,” he said.

Laxman added that India’s strength across formats and age groups, along with the success of the women’s team, reflected the depth available in Indian cricket.

“With the depth we have, we are in a very, very good position. Not many countries are in this kind of a position,” he said.