'Things Weren't Working Between Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble...': Ex-India Opener On Why He Rejected India Coaching Offer

Under Anil Kumble, India dominated international cricket across formats from 2016-2017 but failed to win the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan.

Virender Sehwag revealed that in 2017 he was approached to apply for India's head coach role as replacement for Anil Kumble.

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Legendary India spinner Anil Kumble's bitter fallout with the then skipper Virat Kohli is one of the most controversial sagas in Indian cricket. Kumble was head coach of the men's senior cricket team between 2016-17. Back then, the Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Sachin Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly had appointed Kumble as India's head coach in place of Ravi Shastri.

However, one year after being appointed as head coach, Kumble was asked to resign from his post due to his differences with Virat after Pakistan defeated India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final. Under Kumble, India dominated international cricket across formats from 2016-2017 but failed to win the Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile, ex-India opener Virender Sehwag revealed that in 2017 he was approached to apply for India's head coach role as replacement for Anil Kumble.

"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 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," said the legendary opener on News18 Chaupal.

He added that he didn't get the choice to select his own support staff and hence did not take the job.  "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.