I can verify that some gold players can air dribble. I was air dribbling at my gold stage. Though not as consistent.

Nah golds barely even hit the ball in the air

I support your practice, even zen had to practice his airdribbles at one point

Im silver in ranked and i can (got 1000 casual mmr thogh)

It boils down to what mechs you focus on and what skills your naturally good at, for me, i got consistant at air dribbles in early plat, my friends got good at them much earlier, like gold, they also worked at it in gold as to where i didnt, it also has to to with a sort of survival of the fittest mentality, if your a gc and you have great air control but 0 ground control your opponent will most likely take advantage of this and there isnt much you can do. Do you need to air dribble in gold, no, not really, is it good to maybe start practicing air control, ya it is, the sbest players are the well roubded ones, good at ground and air control, defnese, etc. But i wouldnt take all my advice because im a diamond but ya, if you can get good at air dribbles in gold thats great just dont depend on them or neglect other mechanics

Ive been air dribbled on a few times in gold

Very few golds can