“It is unlikely that he will apply,” a BCCI official says of Virender Sehwag’s participation in the selection process.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag is rumoured to be in line to represent the North Zone on the selection committee and could also replace Chetan Sharma as the chairman of selectors. However, reports indicate that the position’s compensation is insufficient for someone like Sehwag.

The present salary of the chairman of selectors is 1 crore Indian rupees. A BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) representative recently disclosed that the former cricketer had applied for the position of head coach, but Anil Kumble was ultimately selected. In spite of this, it is doubtful that he will exert effort given the compensation package.

“During CoA’s tenure, Virender Sehwag was asked to audition for the position of head coach, but it ultimately went to Anil Kumble.

It is unlikely that he will apply himself, and the compensation arrangement is not financially viable for someone of his stature. “However, only he qualifies from the North Zone in terms of stature,” the official was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The official added that the BCCI may consider increasing the salary of the chairman of selectors to encourage former players to vie for the position.

“It’s not that BCCI can’t pay at least Rs 4-5 crore to a chairperson of selectors. It can actually resolve a large number of these conflict of interest issues that discourage prominent actors from joining the selection committee.

Notably, former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar (2006–2008) and Krishnamachari Srikkanth (2008-2012) were the most recent renowned players to chair the selection panel.

Shiv Sundar Das currently serves as the committee’s chairman.

Virender Sehwag is one of the greatest openers to have ever played for India, as he has enjoyed success in all three formats. During his tenure, the 44-year-old played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs, and 19 T20Is. He has scored over 8,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs.

As a player, the Delhi-born cricketer won the T20I World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. Until a new chairman of selectors is chosen, former Indian cricketer Shiv Sundar Das of the East Zone is presently leading the selection committee.