Virender Sehwag Reflects on Delhi Capitals' 2008 IPL Decision Over Virat Kohli

Sehwag Discusses Team Decisions from IPL's Inception

New Delhi [India] - April 16: Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has shared insights on why the Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals, chose Pradeep Sangwan over a young Virat Kohli during the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. He attributed this decision to the need for team balance and a shortage of bowling options at that time.

In a discussion on JioHotstar, Sehwag explained that the franchise had a strong top-order batting lineup, which complicated the selection process for the playing XI.

“Back in 2008, during the inaugural IPL season, we had Shikhar Dhawan and Tilakratne Dilshan in our squad, both of whom were openers. However, we often had them bat at three and five because Gautam Gambhir and I opened the innings. Manoj Tiwary occupied the number four position. With so many top-order batsmen, it was challenging to fit everyone into the batting order,” Sehwag noted.

He further mentioned that Kohli was also positioned in the top order, but the team had to focus on enhancing their bowling lineup due to the overall squad structure.

“At that time, Virat was batting at either number three or four, leaving us with no room to include him. We were short on bowlers, which led us to select Pradeep Sangwan over Kohli,” he explained.

During the first IPL auction, the Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the young Kohli for Rs 12 Lakh. He later emerged as one of the franchise's most successful players.

Playing for the Bengaluru team, Kohli has scored 8,889 runs across 272 matches and 262 innings in IPL history, achieving eight centuries and 65 half-centuries with an impressive average of 39.86.

In the current IPL 2026 season, Kohli is leading the run charts with 228 runs in five matches, including two fifties.