Virender Sehwag, India, Hardik Pandya
Virender Sehwag has

Former India skipper Ajit Wadekar feels Virender Sehwag will be the perfect pick to replace Anil Kumble as Team India coach.

Earlier this week, Anil Kumble stepped down as the coach, citing Virat Kohli‘s reservations over his coaching style. The BCCI is currently on the lookout for the suitable replacement and has even extended the deadline for the applications of the head coach to give its Cricket Advisory Committee more options to chose from. The board had previously advertised for the post last month and had received applications from Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Ganesh. And even though Sehwag is the least-experienced candidate among the five applicants who have applied so far, Wadekar feels the former India opener is the best option for Tea India.

“If not Anil Kumble, then Virender Sehwag is the best option India can have. He has an attacking style approach towards the game and it will be good for India,” Ajit Wadekar said in an interview with NDTV.

But despite revealing his pick for India coach, Wadekar said he would still like to see Kumble at the helm.  Kumble, who was appointed the coach in June last year, began his term with a 2-0 series in West Indies last year. Under his guidance, the team reached the summit of the ICC Test rankings, beating West Indies, New Zealand, England, Australia and Bangladesh. They also won limited-over series against New Zealand and England and ended the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2017 as runners up.

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“I will still prefer Anil for this job. Let’s have a look at India’s performances in the past one year. The statistics itself give the answers. India’s domination in the past one year is commendable in Kumble’s reign. So, we must respect that,” Wadekar said.

“But, if you ask me as a Kumble’s successor, it should be Sehwag,” he added.

Recalling his stint with the Indian team as the coach, Wadekar said he was amazed to see Kumble’s resignation.

“When I was the coach of the Indian team, Anil Kumble was there. He was one of the nicest persons in the team. He was well educated, sincere and mad about his game. The only thing he focussed on – victory. I am amazed after his resignation,” Wadekar said.

After lavishing praise on Kumble, Wadekar, who was the first Indian captain to register overseas victories, took a dig at India skipper Virat Kohli whose differences with Kumble force the latter to walk away. Wadekar also said that Kumble was the best man for the team and Kohli would realise it soon.

“I have seen Kumble sweating it out on a particular delivery during the net sessions. He wanted perfection in everything. Jumbo is a real gem,” he said. “I really don’t understand why a captain like Virat Kohli has gone to such extent. Kumble is the best man to handle Team India right now.”

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“Greatness and modesty should go along. And, in Virat’s case it is almost opposite. He should be feeling blessed to have Anil as a coach. If you are disciplined that doesn’t mean that you are not a good coach. I am sure Virat will realise soon what mistake he has made,” the former India captain added.

“I want to ask Kohli, how could he change his opinion in just one year? India were performing and giving positive results. Then why did he do this?” Wadekar asked. “It’s a complete sign of immaturity. He has been leading the Indian side for a while now, such behaviour wasn’t expected from him. If you talk about India team, they should consider themselves losers. They have lost a gem like Kumble,” he concluded.

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