Virat Kohli was reluctant against Virender Sehwag's proposal as Team India coach

Mumbai: Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag presented a strong application for the India head coach job, but it was Indian captain Virat Kohli’s reservations against his proposal that got Ravi Shastri the job, instead of the former India opener.

While it is rumoured that former team director Ravi Shastri was the front-runner for the job due to his relationship with Indian captain Virat Kohli, it is learnt that Virender Sehwag also had a positive chance of being selected for the job in a report by the Times of India.

The Kings XI Punjab coach was told to give the job a try after he was suggested by a senior BCCI official. On doing so, Sehwag contacted Kohli to discuss his application which the Indian skipper welcomed with open arms.

Kohli said, “Of course, Viru paa. Your contribution to Indian cricket is great and we're all so familiar with you. I have no problems whatsoever in you applying for the role. Anybody who thinks he can contribute his best for Indian cricket can and should apply.”

Sehwag was among the five candidates that were running for the job along with Ravi Shastri, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput and Richard Pybus. However, what turned the tide in Shastri’s favour was Sehwag’s proposal to rope in a new support staff which included Kings XI Punjab assistant coach Mithun Manhas and physiotherapist Amit Tyagi.

The India captain did not hesitate to tell Sehwag that he preferred the current support staff over his, due to their experience and bonding with the team over three years.

Shastri understood support staff’s work ethic

Perhaps, the fact that Shastri had an inclusive approach considering the captain and the support staff, is what made him CAC’s favourite.

The CAC equally assessed all the candidates, but the reason Shastri won the race was his understanding of the work ethic put in place by the existing support staff members who have worked with the team for close to three years, according to the report.