IND vs NED: Virat Kohli Has Always Acknowledged The Fact That I Picked Him At The Right Time For India - Dilip Vengsarkar

Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar lauded ace batter Virat Kohli for his brilliant batting performances in the ICC World Cup 2023. Dilip Vengsarkar recalled that the selection committee made the right decision to pick Virat Kohli for India back in 2008.

Dilip Vengsarkar, who was then chairman of the selection committee, took a significant gamble by selecting Kohli for the Sri Lanka tour in 2008. This move laid the foundation for Kohli’s journey from a young, promising talent to one of the world’s best cricketers.

I find Admirable About Virat Kohli Is His Humble Nature – Dilip Vengsarkar

In his column for the Times of India, Dilip Vengsarkar noted that Virat Kohli has consistently acknowledged that he was selected for the Indian team at the right moment. Vengsarkar stated that Kohli maintains a down-to-earth attitude off the field.

“What I also find admirable about him is his humble nature, a hallmark of great sportspersons around the world. He may appear aggressive on the field but down to earth off it. He has always acknowledged the fact that I picked him at the right time for India,” Vengsarkar said.

Kohli scored 159 runs in five innings during his debut series for India, with an average of 31.80 and a strike rate of 66.53. He struggled in the first two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with batting averages of 15 and 22.36 in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Virat Kohli Looked Impressive On That Tour – Dilip Vengsarkar

Dilip Vengsarkar emphasized the importance of timing when selecting a player, giving them an opportunity at the right moment for their career. He expressed gratitude to the entire selection committee for supporting his decision to pick Virat Kohli in 2008.

“When you pick a player as a selector, the timing is the most important thing. You need to give an opportunity to play a higher level of cricket at the right time, not when he has lost form. I must congratulate and thank my entire selection committee for backing my call to pick him that time. So, we picked him for the ODI series in Sri Lanka in August 2008. Even though he didn’t score too many runs on that tour, apart from a half-century, Virat looked impressive on that tour,” Vengsarkar added.

Virat is currently representing the Indian team in the ICC World Cup 2023 at home. The right-handed batter is the second-leading run-getter in the tournament, scoring 543 runs at an average of 108.60. He has hit two centuries and four half-centuries so far.

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