Virender Sehwag Refutes Reports Of Being Considered For BCCI Chief Selector Role

The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) is currently in the process of appointing a new chief selector for the men's cricket team following Chetan Sharma's departure from the position. As the governing body of Indian cricket, BCCI has opened up applications nationwide, encouraging former players to step forward and assume responsibility.

Speculation had been rife about Virender Sehwag being a leading contender for the role, with reports even suggesting that he had been approached for the position. However, Sehwag himself has now put an end to all the rumors and speculation.

In response to being asked by the Times of India whether he had been approached for the position of the next chief selector, Virender Sehwag categorically stated, "No." With this concise one-word response, Sehwag decisively put an end to all the speculation and rumors surrounding his potential appointment as the chief selector of Team India.

According to an anonymous source within the BCCI, it was revealed to news agency PTI that Virender Sehwag had indeed been approached for the position of India's head coach during the tenure of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) in charge of the BCCI. However, the position was ultimately awarded to Anil Kumble during that period. The source further disclosed that Sehwag would not consider accepting the role of chief selector due to the relatively lower pay package it offers. While the chief selector receives an annual salary of Rs 1 crore from the BCCI, his deputies are paid Rs 90 lakh each.

"During CoA's time, Viru (Sehwag) was asked to apply for head coach's job and then it went to Anil Kumble. It is unlikely he will apply himself and also the pay package isn't something that will be financially viable for someone of his stature," the official stated.

"It is not that BCCI can't pay a chairman of selectors at least ₹4-5 crore. It can actually solve a lot of these conflict of interest issues which prevent prominent players from even thinking of coming into selection committee," the source reasoned," he added.

Since Chetan Sharma's departure, the interim head of the selection panel for the Indian cricket team is former India opener Shiv Sunder Das. Das has taken charge temporarily until a permanent chief selector is appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).