'Quality that isn't part of Indian cricket culture': Pakistan legend makes stunning remark on Gautam Gambhir replacing Rahul Dravid as Indian head coach

BCCI is currently looking for suitable candidates to take up the role of the Indian head coach after the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 which is set to be held in the United States and West Indies. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is reportedly one of the first choices of the Indian board for this role. Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has praised the KKR mentor as the best candidate for this position but is not sure if he will agree to take up the role or not.

Wasim Akram on Gautam Gambhir

Wasim Akram said that Gautam Gambhir is a straightforward person. He also acknowledged that the two-time IPL-winning captain gets aggressive at times but he could also help getting that aggressive approach to the team.

"Yeah, he is the best candidate. It depends on whether Gautam accepts it. He has also left politics because it took too much time. It is a time-consuming job. He is a very intelligent person, so he realised it's not easy. He has two lovely daughters," Akram told Sportskeeda.

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"GG is very simple. Straightforward. Not a difficult person. But he speaks clearly, bluntly and doesn't think twice, a quality that isn't part of Indian cricket culture. In our culture, we say things that don't offend people. But GG is someone who, if he doesn't like something, will say it to your face. That's his quality and that's why everyone likes him. He gets aggressive at times, but that's him as a person. He will bring that same aggression in the team, but it all boils down to whether he agrees to take up the role," he added.

Akram speaks about other possible candidates

There are also other former Indian cricketers that the BCCI might be considering for the head coach position, including VVS Laxman and Ashish Nehra. While Laxman has turned down the offer, Wasim Akram sees both him and Nehra as strong candidates to be the successors of Rahul Dravid. Nehra's impressive resume with the Gujarat Titans, including an IPL title win, makes him a good candidate. However, as per some reports, even Nehra might not be interested in a full-time role.

"I have heard some other names too. They have a lot of experience. [Ashish] Nehra has done well; he is a people's person. Everybody loves him; they want to be around him. And Laxman is another very good choice. He is the NCA head, where Dravid came from after serving as India Under-19 coach. So, they have a system in place. If you ask me, any of these three Indians are good options. Stick to your own people. They have been doing well. Rahul did brilliantly and before him, Ravi [Shastri] had set an example. So yeah," Akram concluded.

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