'Everything Gautam Gambhir Touches, It Turns to Gold': Karman Akmal Wants India to Appoint His 'Good Friend' as Head Coach

Gautam Gambhir is widely tipped to succeed Rahul Dravid as the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Gambhir’s successfull stints in the role of mentor with Lucknow Super Giants and then Kolkata Knight Riders have made him the prime candidate for the top job.

Dravid, the incumbent, is set to step aside after the conclusion of the ongoing T20 World Cup as he wants to spend time with his family now. Gambhir was interviewed alongside another former India cricketer WV Raman for the role on Tuesday.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir or WV Raman? Or Both?

Former Pakistan cricketer Karman Akmal feels that there isn’t a better option than Gambhir right now for the Indian team head coach’s role.

“Gambhir jo cheez chootha hai, wo sona ban jaati hai. Wo jis team se judta hai, wo successful ho jaati hai (Anything Gambhir touches turns into gold. The team he’s linked with, becomes successful),” Kamran told The Times of India.

“Gambhir was with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). They did really well under him. He became a mentor of KKR and they became champions,” he added.

Akmal praised Gambhir’s “brilliant cricketing mind” and claimed he’s still in touch with the India legend.

“He (Gambhir) 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,” Akmal said.

Akmal also feels that India doesn’t have to look overseas for coaches and that they can appoint either Zaheer Khan or Ashish Nehra as the next bowling coach.

“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 said.

“He is the best man to coach Team India. He should be the head coach. India can go for Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan as bowling coach,” he added.

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