These two ensured that Dhawan was selected at the right time in his career. Both Vengsarkar and Patil made strong, and sometimes unpopular, decisions during their tenure as chief national selectors, but are still appreciated for identifying young talent and picking players at the opportune moment.
In early March 2013, it was at Patil’s insistence that Dhawan was picked for India’s squad for the third Test against the visiting Australians in Mohali.
Replacing the great Virender Sehwag, who was then going through a lean patch, Dhawan immediately made his mark by smashing a magnificent 187 off just 174 balls, including an 85-ball century – the fastest by any batter on Test debut.
“You should support a young cricketer who’s in form. Getting the right opportunity at the right time is extremely important. At that point, Shikhar had just returned from India A’s South African tour after scoring a double century and a century there. Unfortunately, we had to make a tough call. All my four co-selectors opposed my decision (to select Dhawan over Sehwag), but ultimately, something good happened. He scored a hundred on his Test debut. It proved that my idea of picking him was right. I don’t want to take credit for this. I give credit to Shikhar because he proved my decision right. He saved me!” Patil told TOI on Sunday.
Years before this, Dhawan shot into the limelight during the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Dhaka, where he emerged as the tournament’s highest run-getter. The left-hander set the event on fire, amassing 505 runs in seven innings at an average of 84.16.
Few know that it was Vengsarkar who played a crucial role in Dhawan’s selection for that tournament after he had initially been dropped by the then India Under-19 selectors due to poor performance in a couple of trial matches in Mumbai.
Recalling that episode, Vengsarkar told TOI: “In 2004, I was the chairman of the BCCI’s TRDW (Talent Research Development Wing), and Jagmohan Dalmiya (then BCCI president) asked me to attend all the selection committee meetings of the India Under-19 team as well.
“Before the squad was announced, the BCCI had organized two one-day selection trial matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which I couldn’t attend due to a prior commitment. When the squad was announced, I noticed Shikhar’s name was missing. I had been watching him since his Under-16 days. When I asked the selectors why he was dropped, I was told that he didn’t score in those two matches. Pushing for his selection, I told them, ‘So what if he failed in these two matches? He’s a good player, just pick him.’ To their credit, the selectors respected my opinion, and Dhawan was picked. He ended up being the highest run-getter of the tournament.”