‘I Didn’t Get That Choice’: Virender Sehwag Reveals Big Reason Behind Not Becoming India Coach

Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag was offered the job of Team India’s head coach ahead of the end of former coach Anil Kumble’s tenure. Sehwag, who joined News18 India Choupal, on Monday revealed a key point as to why he didn’t choose the top job.

during Kumble’s tenure Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian team and the two were clearly not on the same page. It was a well known saga how Kumble and Kohli could not see eye to eye and after Kumble, Ravi Shastri took over as India’s head coach.

However, Sehwag was also offered the role of India’s head coach during the final months of Kumble’s tenure. The flamboyant opener was asked about not getting the opportunity to captain the Indian team and later missing out on the coaching job, to which he gave a befitting reply.

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“Not at all, I am happy with what I have achieved. Coming from a small family of farmers in Najafgarh gave me the opportunity to play for India, so much love and appreciation from the fans and if I could captain Team India I would get the same respect.

The 44-year-old revealed that he would not have applied for the top post if the then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary had not approached him.

“I would not have applied if Virat Kohli and the then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary had not approached me. We had a meeting, and he (Chaudhary) told me that things are not working out between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble, we want you to take the coaching position. He told me that Kumble’s contract will end after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel with the team to the West Indies.”

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Sehwag further revealed the main reason why he decided to turn down the opportunity to coach India as he did not get the option to select his own support staff.

“I didn’t say yes or no, but I said that if I travel to West Indies, I will need my coaching staff, assistant coach, bowling coach, batting coach and fielding coach. I wanted my choice for the support staff and I didn’t get that option, so I didn’t travel to the West Indies,” Sehwag added.

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