Ex-Pakistan cricketer recommends THESE names for Team India’s bowling coach

Amid reports of Gautam Gambhir to replace Rahul Dravid as head coach, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has suggested Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra as suitable candidates for the roles of bowling coaches for Team India.

Akmal also spoke on reports of Gambhir being appointed as Team India's head coach and siad that after Rahul Dravid, no one can be the best and bigger than Gambhir. 

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"Whatever Gambhir touches turns into gold. The team he joins becomes successful, Akmal exclusively told TimesofIndia.com. 

He added, “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.” 

Further adding, he said, “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," as quoted by TOI.

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He suggested, “He should be the head coach and India can go for Ashish Nehra or Zaheer Khan as bowling coach.”

In another report, The BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on June 18 interviewed Gambhir and WV Raman for the role of India's head coach. A BCCI official told News18, “Gambhir had a virtual interview but Raman’s presentation was very impressive and detailed. The CAC is likely to interview an overseas candidate tomorrow. Gambhir has the edge but Raman’s presentation was very thorough."

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Meanwhile, the contract for the new coach, who will oversee all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—will be effective from July 2024 until December 2027. Rahul Dravid's contract was extended until this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He had taken the charge after the 2021 T20 World Cup in November.