Virender Sehwag asked to apply for post of Team India Head Coach

Former India opener Virender Sehwag has been asked by the BCCI to apply for the position of Head Coach following the board’s invitation for new candidates. As a result, Sehwag could potentially be a challenge to Anil Kumble, who is currently in charge of the Indian Cricket Team.

Kumble’s contract with the BCCI expires as soon as the Champions Trophy comes to an end in mid-June. According to reports, Virender Sehwag was approached by one of the general managers of the BCCI on the sidelines of an IPL game and asked to apply for the job.

“We have contacted Sehwag during the IPL and asked him to consider applying for the job of India coach. But he won’t be the only one applying because we expect other former players to also throw their hats in the ring,” a top BCCI official said.

Nevertheless, Virender Sehwag denied having been contacted by the BCCI with regard to applying for the position of head coach of Team India.

“The board wants to go through the process of selection of coach again. Also, the next contract is likely to run until the 2019 World Cup, so even the length of the contract has to be taken into consideration before appointing the coach. We don’t want a scenario where the players and the coach are not on the same page,” a BCCI insider shared.

Anil Kumble’s pay dispute with the BCCI

The final statement comes close on the heels of Anil Kumble’s pay dispute with the BCCI. Kumble demanded the BCCI offer a massive pay hike for A grade players of Team India and also wanted his salary to be increased. Moreover, there are reports of Kumble undergoing some friction with some of the players in the Indian dressing room. They reportedly expressed their reservations about Anil Kumble continuing as head coach of the Indian Cricket Team.

All interested applicants will be asked to appear before a high-profile committee consisting of former Indian legends Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. The deadline for applying for the job of head coach is May 31, after which all candidates will meet with the trio.

Meanwhile, the entire process of selecting the next coach will be overseen by BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. A BCCI official clarified, “This is to ensure that the process remains fair. We don’t want a scenario where the decision to pick a coach gets influenced by what has happened in the pay negotiations where Kumble is bargaining hard with BCCI officials.”

That being said, Kumble has had a very successful stint as coach of the Indian Cricket Team so far. During his position of responsibility, India have won five straight Test series, and risen to the No. 1 position in Tests.

Anil Kumble is currently with the Indian team in England where they begin their Champions Trophy defense against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4.