Team India coach: Here's why Virender Sehwag lost the job

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, who was one of the frontrunners for the position of Team India coach, almost won the job, but for a proposal to bring along with him a team of support staff, it has been reported.

As per a Times of India report, Sehwag wanted to bring along with him a team of support staff that would include physiotherapist Amit Tyagi and Mithun Manhas. Both Tyagi and Manas work with Sehwag at Kings XI Punjab, where the former opening batsman is the mentor.

The report added that India captain Virat Kohli and the team had made it clear that they would not interfere with the Cricket Advisory Committee’s (CAC) decision.

Sehwag, one of the five candidates who went for the interview, gave the third best presentation after eventual winner of the job Ravi Shastri and Tom Moody's.

An insider even told TOI that Kohli encouraged Sehwag to apply. “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," Kohli told Sehwag.

However, when Sehwag mentioned that he would be bringing his support staff, Kohli expressed reservations. “Paaji, I have a lot of respect for you for what you can bring to the table but you have to understand that there is a professional set-up in place, therefore this cannot happen. The rest is up to the CAC," Kohli said, according to the insider.  

"What went in Shastri's favour was also the fact that he understood the importance of the work ethic put in place by the existing support staff members who have worked with the team for close to three years," the source added.