Virat approached meVirender Sehwag on applying for head coach role after Kohli's fallout with Anil Kumble

By India Today Sports DeskVirender Sehwag made a stunning claim, saying Virat Kohli approached him to take up the role of India’s head coach after the former captain had a fallout with Anil Kumble.

Sehwag revealed details about his meeting with the BCCI officials for the post. Kumble was appointed as India’s head coach in June 2016 but his contract ended a year after the 2017 Champions Trophy. Kumble stepped down from the post after India’s defeat against Pakistan in the final.

Sehwag said that then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary told him that “things were not working out” between Kohli and Kumble and the board wanted him to take up the job.

“I wouldn’t have applied if Virat Kohli and then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary hadn’t approached me,” Sehwag told News18 India.

“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 that me that Kumble’s contract will expire after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel to West Indies with the team.”

When Sehwag was asked if he had any regrets about not captaining India, he gave a diplomatic response. The former India opener said that he was happy with what he has achieved in his career.

“Not at all, I’m happy with what I achieved,” said Sehwag.

“Coming from a small family of farmers from Najafgarh I got the opportunity to play for India, got so much love and appreciation from fans and even if I would have captained Team India I would have gotten the same respect.”

Kumble was eventually replaced by the 1983 World Cup champion Ravi Shastri following India’s defeat against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.