'Unlikely he will apply' - BCCI official reveals reason why Virender Sehwag might not apply for selector role

Former India opener Virender Sehwag is reportedly in line to represent North Zone in the selection committee and could also become the chairman of selectors, replacing former chief selector Chetan Sharma. However, the reports suggest that the pay package of the position isn’t lucrative enough for someone like Sehwag.

The current salary for the chairman of selectors is INR 1 crore. A BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) official recently revealed that the former cricketer had applied for the head coach job but it went to Anil Kumble. However, it is unlikely that he will apply himself considering the pay package.

"During CoA's time, Viru was asked to apply for head coach's job and then it went to Anil Kumble. It is unlikely he will apply himself and also the pay package isn't something that will be financially viable for someone of his stature. But if we talk about stature, only he makes the cut from North Zone,” the official was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The official further said that the BCCI could also think about increasing the salary for the chairman of selectors to make former players apply for the role.

"It is not that BCCI can't pay a chairman of selectors at least Rs 4-5 crore. It can actually solve a lot of these conflict of interest issues which prevent prominent players from even thinking of coming into selection committee,” he added.

Notably, the last renowned players to head the selection panel were former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar (2006-2008) and Krishnamachari Srikkanth (2008-2012).

Shiv Sundar Das currently leads the selection committee

Sehwag is one of the best openers to ever play for India as he has a successful career across all three formats. The 44-year-old played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is during his tenure. He has over 8000 runs to his name in both Tests and ODIs.

The Delhi-born cricketer further won the T20I World Cup and ODI World Cup as a player in 2007 and 2011 respectively. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Shiv Sundar Das from the East Zone is currently leading the selection committee until a new chairman of selectors is selected.