"Rohit and Virat’s skill level would have helped India," Dilip Vengsarkar

Former India skipper and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar reckoned that Team India will miss Virat Kohli’s experience during the five-match Test series against England starting at Leeds on June 20. However, Vengsarkar, who was the national chief selector when Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2008, felt that Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket provides an opportunity for youngsters to establish themselves.
  
Kohli, 36, collected 9230 runs from 123 Tests at an average of 46.85. 

Also Read: Here are Virat Kohli’s top five Test knocks!

Dilip Vengsarkar

“I would have enjoyed it if both [Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who also announced his Test retirement recently] played the upcoming Test series in England. India are playing five Tests there and to beat England in England is never easy. Rohit and Virat’s skill level would have helped India,” Vengsarkar told mid-day on Monday. 

“This is an opportunity for Team India’s youngsters to establish themselves by performing well in England,” said the 116-Test veteran.

Vengsarkar, who was the first batsman to score three successive Test centuries at Lord’s, hailed Kohli’s mental toughness besides his cricketing abilities. “You quickly understand that he’s a tough player. He and even Rohit, both were like that. Mentally, both are very mature. Their skill level is also very high. They are match-winners, and that’s why they have been able to play for so many years. He [Kohli] was a very good captain and has some impressive big-match temperament. If you look at the India vs Pakistan matches, Virat’s performances are among the best,” said Vengsarkar.

Vengsarkar also praised Kohli’s attitude, recalling an episode in July 2008 when he was chief selector during the Emerging Players Tournament. “He [Kohli] was a middle-order batsman then, but when I asked him if he would open the innings, he immediately agreed. That’s why I’ve always liked his attitude. He scored a hundred [120 not out to help India ‘A’ beat New Zealand ‘A’ by seven wickets in Brisbane] while opening but even after reaching his century, he ensured he was at the crease till the match was won. That was really impressive.” The very next month, Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka.

This article first appeared on Mid Day