Virender Sehwag Reveals Reason Behind Not Applying For India Head Coach Job

Days after Ravi Shastri was re-appointed as Team India head coach, former India opener Virender Sehwag has revealed why he did not go for the job this year. Virender Sehwag was one of the candidates when the BCCI was searching for a coach in 2017 following Anil Kumble’s exit. The legendary batsman was one of the favourites before Shastri was named as the head coach.

Virender Sehwag has now opened the lid on why he did not go for the high-profile job this time around. The new Cricket Advisory Committee had already said that it would not seek any input from skipper Virat Kohli before naming the new coach. Thus, Sehwag had a bright chance. However, he decided against it.

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Virender Sehwag said that he opted against throwing his hat in the ring because he was not asked by anyone to do so. In 2017, two BCCI officials had persuaded Sehwag to throw his hat in the ring.

“In 2017, the BCCI secretary and (late) Dr MV Sridhar (GM Cricket Operations) asked me to apply so I applied. This time no one asked me, so I didn’t apply,” Sehwag said.

India, meanwhile, have retained almost the same backroom staff for the next two years. The contract of the current coaches will end after the ongoing tour of West Indies. Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have retained their posts. However, batting coach Sanjay Bangar has been replaced by Vikram Rathour.

Meanwhile, Sehwag further said that Anil Kumble will make a good national selector.

“When Anil Kumble became the captain, he came to my room and said ‘go and play how you play in the next two series as you won’t be dropped’. That kind of confidence he gave, I think he is the right person (to become national selector),” Virender Sehwag said.

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