Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is currently the hot contender to replace head coach Rahul Dravid to coach Men in Blue after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal who was involved in a verbal spat with Gambhir during their playing days in 2008 Asia Cup suggested the Board of Control for Cricket in India that the management can go for Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan as their bowling coach.
Gambhir was reportedly interviewed by the cricket board to the role of head coach along with WV Raman.
"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. 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," Akmal told Times of India.
Gambhir is currently mentoring Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the franchise lifted their third title under his mentorship. Interestingly, Gambhir was the skipper when KKR lifted their previous title.
"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," added Akmal.
Not only KKR, he also mentored Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the first two seasons of the franchise in IPL 2022 and 2023, LSG reached the Playoffs, with Gambhir's behind-the-scenes role given ample credit for the franchise's rise.
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