Not having ‘setting’ in BCCI cost me coach’s job: Sehwag
Virat asked me to go for it. It was only then I applied. If you ask my opinion, I would say I was never interested. VIRENDER SEHWAG, On coach’s job
Virender Sehwag took a dig at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and head coach Ravi Shastri, saying he was not picked for the India coach’s job because he did not “have any setting” in the Board.
The former India opener, in a show on India TV, also pointed the finger at skipper Virat Kohli in the affair, which erupted into a huge controversy after Anil Kumble abruptly quit after the ICC Champions Trophy in June.
Sehwag was among the applicants, but Shastri joined the fray late and was expectedly appointed.
According to Sehwag, it was Kohli who asked him to ‘go for it’ (apply). It was widely reported that Kohli’s strong backing proved decisive in Shastri’s return after a year’s gap. Shastri was India Team Director from 2014 to mid-2016.
A fallout between Kohli and Kumble had opened the doors for Shastri’s return. Sehwag said Shastri — who didn’t initially apply when BCCI invited applications — had told him he would not apply after his acrimonious exit in 2016.
“When I was in England during the Champions Trophy, I asked Ravi Shastri why he didn’t apply. He told me he will not repeat the mistake he had made once,” Sehwag said in the show on India TV.
“I also had a word with Virat; he asked me to go for it. It was only then I applied. If you ask my opinion, I would say I was never interested.”
Asked why he did not get the job, Sehwag seemed to indirectly point at Shastri, saying: “See, I didn’t have any setting”.
Sehwag claimed top BCCI officials had also encouraged him to apply. “I never thought (of becoming coach). I was given the offer... BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhury and MV Sridhar (GM-cricket) came and requested me to think about the offer. I took time and then applied,” Sehwag said. He said he would not have applied if he knew Shastri was going to.
“I thought since they are requesting me, I should help them. I never thought of applying on my own nor will I ever.”