New Delhi: Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal lavished praise on Gautam Gambhir as he backed the ex-India opener to become the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is favourite to replace Rahul Dravid at the helm and was interviewed by the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) for the top post on Tuesday.
Gambhir is not the only one in contention for the India head coach post as former Indian women’s team head coach WV Raman has also applied for the position. Raman was also interviewed by the CAC on Tuesday and his presentation was reportedly more detailed and left the three-member CAC panel impressed.
However, it is understood that Gambhir is the outright favourite to replace Dravid and his appointment seems imminent. Ahead of his potential appointment, Akmal shared his views on Gambhir and heaped praise on the KKR mentor. The ex-Pakistan star said whatever Gambhir touches turns into gold these days while highlighting his recent success with KKR while adding that India don’t need a foreign coach.
“Whatever Gambhir touches turns into gold. The team he joins becomes successful. Team India doesn’t need any foreign coaches. They have plenty of options and talent. After Dravid, no one can be the best and bigger than Gautam Gambhir. He was a big player and will become a great coach too. He is the best option India have right now,” Akmal told the Times of India.
Highlighting Gambhir’s achievements as a mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Akmal called him a brilliant cricketing mind and said he is a great planner. Gambhir spent two seasons as a mentor with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), guiding the team to back-to-back playoffs before returning to KKR ahead of IPL 2024.
Gambhir’s return to the franchise worked wonders for the Kolkata Knight Riders as they brought an end to a decade-long trophy drought with their third IPL title. Gambhir played a key role in their title triumph by taking important decisions in the dressing room and ensuring the team environment was right.
“Gambhir was with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and they did really well under him. He became a mentor of KKR and they became champions. He is an amazing planner and has a brilliant cricketing mind. I have played a lot of cricket with him,” said Akmal.
“We have been together for a long time. We played, had food and had chats together. We are still good friends. We are still in touch. He should be the head coach and India can go for Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan as bowling coach,” he added.
Gautam Gambhir to replace Rahul Dravid after T20 World Cup 2024
Gambhir’s appointment is likely to be finalised by the end of this week and he will take charge of the Indian team post the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. The ongoing showpiece event is Dravid’s final assignment in charge of the Indian cricket team. Gambhir is likely to be in charge of the team when India head to Zimbabwe for a T20I series after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024.
A former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter has backed Gautam Gambhir to take over as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Gambhir was interviewed for the top position on Tuesday and his appointment can be made official soon. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
