Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has long retired from international cricket but the Delhi cricketer manages to make headlines with his interesting statements. While Sehwag is known for his no-filter remarks, he has now made an interesting revelation. The former India opener has claimed that he was approached by Virat Kohli and then the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Amitabh Choudhary to take up the head coaching role.
The former cricketer claimed that after things started to go haywire between Kohli and Anil Kumble, who was India’s head coach during that period, the Indian team was in need of someone to replace Kumble and Kohli wanted Sehwag to be that person.
"I wouldn't have applied if Virat Kohli and then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary hadn't approached me. We had a meeting, and he (Choudhary) told me that things weren't working out between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble, we want you to take the coaching position. He told me that Kumble's contract will expire after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel to West Indies with the team," said the legendary opener on News18 Chaupal.
Sehwag, then claimed that he turned down the offer because he did not get what he wanted. "I didn't say yes or no, but I said if I travel to West Indies, I would want my coaching staff, the assistant coach, bowling coach, batting coach and the fielding coach. I want my own choice for the support staff and I didn't get that choice so I didn't travel to West Indies," Sehwag added.
Notably, after Anil Kumble stepped down from the head coach position after the fallout with Kohli, Ravi Shastri took over the role and stayed in the position for a significant while.