Former Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar has said that it was an error from the Indian selection committee to not include right-hand batsman Rohit Sharma in the squad for the Test tour of England. 

Vengsarkar is very disappointed with the poor showing of the batting line up right throughout the last seven Tests in South Africa and England and while he thinks the players seem to lack technical proficiency, he believes, India could've played an extra batsman and Rohit fits that spot. 

Speaking with Mumbai Mirror, Vengsarkar said, “I feel India made a big mistake of not having Rohit Sharma for the Test series. I presume Rohit was left out of the squad because he has been inconsistent at the Test match level but having stroke players whose defensive technic is found wanting, followed by batsmen who believe in only defending, Rohit would have been an ideal foil for captain Virar Kohli,” 

“By discarding him (Rohit), the selectors, it seemed, didn't apply their minds as to who would succeed in the English conditions and to create a backup plan.”

Coming to terms with another overseas lost even before the completion of it, Vengsarkar now wants India to start planning and preparing for the future challenges. He thinks young Prithvi Shaw should be picked ahead of one of the openers for the last Test, as part of that process. 

“Since they have selected young Prithvi Shaw, they should play him in the last Test match as both the openers failed time and again, though I feel it would be right to induct Prithvi in a home series rather than in England." Vengsarkar suggested and added, "However, the selectors have shown confidence in him and since the series is lost, there's no harm in trying the talented young man,” 

The fifth Test at the Oval starts September 7.