Former India opener Virender Sehwag has shed light on a decision from the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008, explaining why Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) went with Pradeep Sangwan rather than a young Virat Kohli. Speaking on JioHotstar, Sehwag pointed to the squad balance at the time—especially the way the franchise’s batting plans were already crowded—and said Delhi did not have the flexibility to fit another top-order batter into the playing XI while also needing bowling support.
Sehwag recalled that Delhi’s lineup back then included multiple specialist batters, making team selection a juggling act. He noted that Shikhar Dhawan and Tillakaratne Dilshan were both part of the group, with Dhawan and Dilshan primarily treated as openers. However, because Sehwag and Gautam were the regular pair at the top, those batsmen were often promoted or adjusted to positions like three and five. Manoj Tiwary, meanwhile, was operating around the number four slot, leaving Delhi with a heavy concentration of top-order talent and limited room to reshuffle the batting order without disrupting the team’s established structure.
In that context, Sehwag said Kohli was also being considered as a top-order option, but the franchise still had to make a clear priority choice. “Virat Kohli was also batting at three or four,” Sehwag explained, adding that there was simply no opening in the batting order to accommodate him. He then underlined the bigger issue: Delhi’s need for an additional bowling option at the time. With the bowling requirement driving the XI, the franchise ultimately opted for Pradeep Sangwan instead of Kohli.
Sehwag’s remarks also serve as a reminder of how differently the early auctions played out across franchises. During the first IPL auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Bengaluru) bought the young Kohli for Rs 12 lakh. Over time, Kohli went on to become one of the most successful names in the franchise’s history.
For the Bengaluru-based side, Kohli has since accumulated 8,889 runs across 272 matches and 262 innings in IPL cricket. His record includes eight centuries and 65 half-centuries, with an average of 39.86, underlining both his longevity and consistency in the format.
In the current IPL 2026 campaign, Kohli has continued to be central to RCB’s batting plans. He is leading the run charts with 228 runs in five matches, including two fifties—another chapter in a journey that began with a decision made on team balance back in 2008.
