Sourav Ganguly is happy that Virat Kohli decided not to play county ahead of India’s series against England.

Kohli had been due to play for Surrey in six matches in June before a neck injury ruled him out. The 29-year-old has since recovered and will lead India in all three formats against England this summer.

The last time Kohli toured England with India in 2014, he averaged just 13.40 in five Tests with a top-score of 39. Former India skipper Ganguly believes Kohli’s desire not to repeat that form made him panic to sign up for county cricket.

“Kohli is a fantastic player. He will do well this time. I am happy that he did not play county cricket before the England series. I think he was eager to play county (ahead of the series) because he was panicky after not having a good tour last time around. He is too good a player to miss out this time,” Ganguly told Press Trust of India.

India arrived in London on Saturday and will now travel to Ireland for a two-match T20 series next week. India will then travel to England for three T20 clashes against Eoin Morgan’s side beginning July 7 before three ODIs five days later.

On August 1, the two nations will meet in the first of five Tests with the series ending in early September.