Former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar, at the launch of the guide ‘The Lords of Wankhede’ in Bengaluru on October 24, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Okay. MURALI KUMAR
Dilip Vengsarkar had a giant position in two of Indian cricket’s history-altering choices. It was his enter, together with a number of others’, that led to Sachin Tendulkar’s selection into the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team again in 1988.
Vengsarkar additionally chaired the selection committee when M.S. Dhoni was chosen as India’s skipper for the inaugural World T20 in 2007. On Tuesday at the launch of the guide ‘The Lords of Wankhede‘ here, the India great recalled both incidents.
“I was playing a Times Shield game at Parsee Gymkhana before my 100th Test and the late Vasu Paranjape insisted that I look at a 14-year-old boy named Sachin in the Harris Shield final. I went during Tea and Sachin made a 300 in that match.
“Vasu sir then insisted that Sachin be brought to the Indian nets and I was like ‘he is too young.’ But he got here and batted so confidently in opposition to the likes of Kapil Dev, Arshad Ayub and others. That identical day Mumbai was selecting the Ranji Trophy team and I requested them to choose Sachin. Even if not in the XI, however not less than to groom him.
Venkatesh Prasad, R. Kaushik, Dilip Vengsarkar, W.V. Raman, V.V.S. Laxman, at the launch of the guide ‘The Lords of Wankhede’ in Bengaluru on October 24, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR
“He scored a century on debut against Gujarat. Then century in Duleep Trophy. Then century in Irani Trophy and then he went to Pakistan. Rest is history.”
About Dhoni, the determination appeared extra simple, for the charismatic cricketer was already a part of the Indian set-up.
“He was very aggressive and of extremely positive mindset, and everyone readily agreed,” Vengsarkar mentioned. “He had not led his state or East Zone, but we made the choice.”
