Who Gave Virat Kohli His First India Call-Up? Former Selector Reveals Untold Story of 2008

With Virat Kohli announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, tributes and revelations are pouring in. Among them, a former national selector, Sanjay Jagdale, has come forward with a significant behind-the-scenes story from 2008 — one that sheds light on how Virat Kohli was first selected for Team India’s ODI squad, and the key figure behind it.

🏏 The Man Behind Virat’s Debut: Dilip Vengsarkar

According to Sanjay Jagdale, Dilip Vengsarkar, who was then the chief selector, played the decisive role in bringing Virat Kohli into India’s ODI squad.

Jagdale revealed:

“Kohli was picked on Vengsarkar’s insistence. I hadn’t seen him play at that time, but Vengsarkar was extremely impressed by his performances in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia.”

📅 Virat's Debut Match

• Date: August 18, 2008
• Opponent: Sri Lanka
• Format: One Day International
• Venue: Dambulla, Sri Lanka

This match marked the start of Kohli’s international career, which went on to become one of the most successful in cricket history.

🔍 The Early Doubts

Jagdale also revealed that some people opposed Kohli’s selection, questioning why such a young player — barely 19 years old — was being sent on a tough international tour.

“People asked how we could send an untested youngster to Sri Lanka. But Vengsarkar was confident. Today, no one remembers those critics.”

💬 Why Vengsarkar Believed in Kohli

• Kohli had scored a century in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia.
• Vengsarkar reportedly saw something special in Kohli’s technique, temperament, and aggression.
• His leadership in India’s U-19 World Cup win earlier that year also boosted his case.

🏆 Jagdale on Kohli’s Legacy

Sanjay Jagdale called Virat one of India’s greatest ever across formats, second only to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of influence.

He added:

“Kohli’s retirement from Tests is his personal decision and must be respected. But filling his void in red-ball cricket won’t be easy.”

📊 Virat Kohli’s Test Record

• Matches: 123
• Innings: 210
• Runs: 9,230
• Average: 46.85
• Centuries: 30
• Fifties: 31

📝 In Summary

• Dilip Vengsarkar, then chief selector, pushed for Kohli’s selection in 2008.
• Virat debuted in ODI cricket on August 18, 2008, vs Sri Lanka.
• The selection faced early criticism, but Kohli proved his worth quickly.
• Sanjay Jagdale, a former selector, believes Kohli’s red-ball legacy is irreplaceable.

Kohli’s journey from a U-19 World Cup-winning captain to India’s all-format giant might have never started in 2008 — if not for one selector’s vision and another’s faith.