Anil Kumble Should Be BCCI's Chairman Of Selectors, Says Virender Sehwag

Former India opener Virender Sehwag believes that Anil Kumble's ability to boost the confidence of the players makes him an ideal candidate for the role of the BCCI's chairman of selectors. However, Sehwag also advocated a hike in remuneration for the job. "I think Anil Kumble could be the right candidate for the chairman of selectors post. He is someone who has interacted with Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly) and Rahul (Dravid) as a player and with youngsters as a coach," Sehwag said on Wednesday.

The current selection panel, led by MSK Prasad, has faced a lot of flak for their cumulative experience of 13 Tests.

"When I made a comeback (Australia series 2007-08), captain Kumble came to my room and said you will not be dropped for the next two series. That's the kind of confidence a player needs," said Sehwag.

However, Sehwag also said that he doesn't think that Kumble will agree to do the job right now since the chairman gets Rs 1 crore per annum.

"BCCI needs to raise bar as far as pay is concerned. Then a lot of players will be interested," said Sehwag.

Asked if he would also be interested in this post, Sehwag said that he doesn't like too many restrictions.

"I write columns, appear on TV and being selector will mean a lot of restrictions. I don't know whether I would like so many restrictions," Sehwag said.

Sehwag, who had lost the race to be India's coach in 2017 to Ravi Shastri, said that he did not apply this time.

"In 2017, the BCCI secretary and (late) Dr MV Sridhar (GM Cricket Operations) asked me to apply so I applied. This time no one asked me, so I didn't apply," said Sehwag when asked if he was amused in the manner Shastri was re-appointed the coach.

Sehwag also said he finds it difficult to comprehend the conflict of interest rules.

"I can understand that I can't run an academy if I am a selector but if I am the national coach, I don't understand why I can't run an academy," he said.

As the talk veered towards playing XI for the first Test against the West Indies, Sehwag's vote went to Ajinkya Rahane if India played five bowlers.

"Ajinkya Rahane has been batting at No 4 (No 5) so if it is a case of five bowlers then he should play. Rohit Sharma comes in only if you go with four bowlers," Sehwag reasoned.

A member of NADA's anti-doping appeals panel (ADAP), Sehwag said filling the whereabouts clause was a real problem that bothered the Indian cricketers.

BCCI recently agreed to be NADA-compliant after years of resistance.

"I have appeared for many dope tests. Even in domestic cricket when I was out of the team, during IPL. The problem with whereabouts is I can't pinpoint where I will be at a specific hour of the day on a specific date. I may mention it initially and then I might have a change in plan," he said.

The Selector App was launched in New Delhi on Wednesday by brand ambassadors Virender Sehwag and Brian Lara promises to change the very way the sport is viewed all over the globe.

(With PTI inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team Virender Sehwag Anil Kumble Cricket BCCI