Sehwag recalls coaching offer from BCCI amid Kohli-Kumble conflict

Back in 2017, Virender Sehwag was approached by then-BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary to take over as head coach of the Indian team following Anil Kumble’s departure. Kumble had taken up the coaching position in 2016 and resigned from his post after the Champions Trophy 2017 amid an alleged conflict with then-captain Virat Kohli. The offer came at a significant moment in Indian cricket, with the board seeking a new direction for the national team after the tournament ended.

Choudhary held a meeting with Sehwag to discuss the opportunity and the circumstances surrounding Kumble’s exit. The BCCI secretary explained the situation candidly, revealing the nature of the tension that had developed between the coach and the captain. Sehwag had never previously considered a coaching role, but the direct approach from the board’s leadership prompted him to listen to what they had to offer.

“I would not even have applied if Virat Kohli or the BCCI Secretary at that time, Amitabh Ch0udhary, would not have approached me. He held a proper meeting with me where he said things are not okay between Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli, so they wanted me to apply and become coach. He told you are going to commentate for the 2017 Champions Trophy, so Anil’s contract will end, and you can just take the team to the West Indies from there,” Sehwag said via cricketnextofficial.

Why did Sehwag decline the coaching role?

Sehwag made clear that he had specific conditions for accepting the position. He believed that a successful coaching tenure required complete autonomy over his support staff, including the ability to select his own assistant coach, batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, physio and trainer. Without this freedom to build his own team, Sehwag felt he could not take on the responsibility effectively.

“I neither said yes or no. But I said if I go, I would want my staff. Assistant coach, batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, physio, trainer, I would have all of my choice. But I did not get the choice to do this so I did not go.” Sehwag said.

Sehwag was among six applicants for the role of India coach, alongside Anil Kumble and Tom Moody. The decision was made by a three-man advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. Sehwag’s decision not to pursue the position without full autonomy over his support staff meant he withdrew from consideration, leaving the board to select from the remaining candidates.

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