No one asked to me to do so, says Virender Sehwag on not applying for India’s head coach job

During the great drama of 2017 revolving around who would become the new India head coach in the wake of Anil Kumble’s unceremonious exit, Virender Sehwag was one of the strongest candidates. The former India opener had applied for the post and was one of the favourites to bag the job. But in the end, the drama ended with Ravi Shastri bagging the lucrative job, much to everyone’s expectations.

Sehwag had publicly expressed his disappointment over not getting the post. Unsurprisingly, many thought that the former India opener would apply for the post this time around. However, Sehwag decided against it as Shastri was re-appointed as a coach. The legendary opener has now revealed why he didn’t apply for Team India head coach job this time.

On the sidelines of an event in New Delhi, Virender Sehwag revealed why he opted against throwing his hat in the ring despite applying for the top job last time around. He said he decided against applying for the post because no one asked him to do so.

“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 was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. He also gave his opinion on who among Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble will make a good national selector. The Nawab of Najafgarh said that his former captain Kumble could be 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),” Sehwag further added.

Opinion on BCCI coming under NADA ambit

Days after BCCI finally ended their defiance and came under the purview of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Virender Sehwag gave his opinion on it. The World Cup-winning star said that the Indian cricketers were not too impressed with the whereabouts clause as he asked others to wait for the current players’ reaction.

“Indian players have an issue with the whereabouts clause. We have been tested several times both in and out of the competition. I myself had tested during domestic tournaments as well. No current player has commented on it yet… So we have to wait and see,” the former Indian cricketer concluded.

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