Former Indian Cricket Board chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar was at the helm when Virat Kohli came into the Indian team. The former had the option of choosing between Kohli and S. Badrinath, a CSK player at the time and a wonderful performer in domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu. On the other hand, Kohli was an upcoming star in Indian cricket, having won the 2008 U19 World Cup as captain.
“When Dilip bhai was chairman, he had to make a choice between S Badrinath and Virat Kohli. He saw a few India A games in Australia and he knew whom to back. Rest is history. He could stand his ground in front of Greg Chappell before that,” the veteran official recollected.
I lost my job for choosing Virat Kohli: Dilip Vengsarkar
A few years back, the former India player revealed that he lost his job as chief selector for choosing Kohli. The former added that the then-Indian Cricket Board president, N Srinivasan wasn’t happy with him for ‘ignoring’ Badrinath.
“I knew there was South’s Badrinath, who was playing for N Srinivasan’s CSK. When Kohli was preferred over Badrinath, Srinivasan was not happy. He got fed up as his player was kept out and he questioned me as to how I didn’t pick Badri? I replied that I had gone to watch the Emerging Tour in Australia and found this boy Kohli exceptional.
“So I have picked him in the team and Srinivasan reasoned that Badrinath had scored 800 runs for Tamil Nadu. I told him he will get a chance and angry Srinivasan asked “when he will get a chance , he is 29 years old? I replied: ‘Whenever the time comes.’
‘Srinivasan then made Srikkanth the chairman and I was sent home. That was the end of my career as a selector.’
This is how Twitter reacted
Smart choice & unbiased selection, Badrinath was unlucky to be in this era. Virat was destined to play & deserved .
— Cricpedia. (@_Cricpedia) June 22, 2023
It is time players like Vengsarkar are made part of the Selection Committee. At times, much-less qualified people are part of this Committee.
— Bhargav Mitra (@bhargav_mitra) June 22, 2023
Virat Kohli was a prodigious talent and the future of true indian cricket. So it was understandable why Dilip Vengsarkar was leaning towards Virat Badrinath was also past his prime years.Sadly he was in an era where sachin, Dravid, Ganguly,Laxman all played for a decade or more.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) June 22, 2023
Salute to Dilip Vengsarkar for not listening to Dhoni and Srinivasan who wanted to play CSK quota Badrinath in place of Virat
Sadly Dilip lost his job because he didn't listen to Dhoni and Srinivasan
World will never forget his sacrifice pic.twitter.com/l8gQKSkc3R
— Virarsh (@Cheeku218) June 22, 2023
And he made greatest decision in Indian cricket history thank you vengsarkar
— The BôoGeyMãn18? (@thevoldomart) June 22, 2023
So vengsarkar is coming back ?
That would be great— Devangi (@Devangi_J) June 22, 2023
Dhoni wanted Badrinath instead of Virat Kohli in his team. Rest is history ?
— a. (@shutupaadil) June 22, 2023
— YASH ? (@Yashhhh1910) June 22, 2023
Greatest selector dilip vengsarkar
— ??? (@superking1816) June 22, 2023
this is Dilip Vengsarkat respect button
— rishiism (@rishiism_) June 22, 2023
