Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has endorsed Gautam Gambhir as a strong contender for the position of head coach of the Indian cricket team, citing Gambhir’s suitability to succeed Rahul Dravid.
Akram’s support for Gambhir comes amidst reports of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reaching out to prominent international coaches like Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting, and Justin Langer.
Speaking on a YouTube channel, the legendary fast bowler stated, “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 realized it’s not easy.”
Gambhir, known for his resilient batting and leadership qualities, has been actively involved in coaching and commentary post his retirement. He notably captained the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2012 and 2014.
While the BCCI explores options for Dravid’s successor, the likes of Fleming, Ponting, and Langer have been contacted, each bringing a wealth of coaching experience and a distinct coaching style.
Fleming, celebrated for his achievements with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, and Langer, who recently guided Australia to an Ashes triumph, are formidable candidates.
Gambhir’s current role as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, coupled with his extensive coaching experience, positions him as a strong contender for the Indian cricket team’s head coach position after the T20 World Cup.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign will commence against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York, with no practice matches scheduled prior to the tournament.
