"The best" - Zaheer Khan-Gautam Gambhir reunion as India coaches backed by ex-Pakistan cricketer

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has extended his endorsement for Gautam Gambhir as the next head coach of the Indian cricket team. Akmal suggested that Gambhir's recent success in the IPL, especially with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), makes him the ideal candidate for the high-profile role.

Gambhir has emerged as a frontrunner after being interviewed by the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Tuesday, June 18. It is widely speculated that the former Indian opener will succeed Rahul Dravid, who has decided to step down after India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

Kamran Akmal backs Gautam Gambhir for India's head coach role

Dravid opted not to extend his tenure beyond the T20 World Cup 2024, having taken over from Ravi Shastri in 2021. Well, now BCCI is almost close to finalizing Gambhir as India’s new head coach after his mentorship helped KKR win the IPL 2024.

Under his mentorship, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also made it to the IPL playoffs back-to-back seasons during his two-year stint. Well, praising Gambhir, Akmal suggested that India has an abundance of talent and doesn't need foreign coaches, backing the KKR mentor to become India's coach.

He also has confidence in Gambhir's ability to transform any team he associates with into a successful unit, comparing his influence to turning everything he touches into gold and saying he is an ideal candidate to replace Dravid.

Kamran Akmal was quoted as saying by Times of India: “Gambhir jo cheez chootha hai, wo sona ban jaati hai. Wo jis team se judta hai, wo successful ho jaati hai (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.”

He is an amazing planner and has a brilliant cricketing mind: Kamran Akmal on Gautam Gambhir

Reflecting on Gambhir's recent successes, Akmal said that LSG and KKR’s success proved Gambhir's strategic planning and profound cricketing acumen, describing him as an exceptional leader and strategist.

The former Pakistani batter also felt Gambhir’s ability to plan winning strategies and nurture talent made him a natural choice to take Indian cricket forward. Akmal further said, “Gambhir was with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). 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 is the best man to coach Team India. He should be the head coach.”

He also recommended considering former Indian pacers Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan for the role of bowling coach. Kamran signed off by saying, “India can go for Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan as bowling coach.”