Virender Sehwag, who is currently who is a part of the commentary team for the ongoing India vs England series made some sparkling revelations during the ongoing test. He made comments about the Indian selection strategy during the time he was the vice captain of the side in 2012.
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On the third day of the test at Mohali, during the lunch break, Virender Sehwag spoke about an interesting anecdote about selection of Virat Kohli in the test team during the Australia tour.
He said that Kohli who was yet to establish a firm footing in the team. He was further trying to cement his place in the team and was initially not the selectors preferred choice to play 3rd Test at Perth in 2012. This game eventually turned to be a game changer for kohli’s career.
He continued that Rohit was the initial choice of the selectors however Kohli could only get into the playing XI after skipper MS Dhoni and vice-captain Sehwag insisted on doing so.
Sehwag’s Claim
“Selectors wanted to play Rohit Sharma instead of Virat Kohli at Perth in 2012. I was vice-captain and MS Dhoni was leading the team, and we decided that we have to back Virat Kohli, and the rest is history,” Sehwag said while commentating during the game.
Virat Kohli repaid the faith shown in him by the team management. He smashed 75 and 44 against Australia at Perth, followed by his maiden Test century at Adelaide.
Kohli hasn’t stopped from thereon and is currently leading his team in the longest format with great success. He capitalized on the opportunity provided to him and since then there has been no looking back. He is scoring runs consistently and is India’s most dependable batsman in the longer format of the game.
Much of his success has also because of his changed attitude and strict fitness regime. He has emerged to be one of the fittest athletes on the field. Further he has admitted that that it was after 2012 that he realized he needed to change his lifestyle.
