Virender Sehwag opened up on Delhi's decision to not sign Virat Kohli |courtesy - BCCI/IPL
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Virender Sehwag was Delhi's captain in IPL 2008
- Delhi had the first pick in the U-19 draft
- Virat Kohli has played all 18 seasons for RCB
The biggest 'what if' story in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains when Delhi Capitals (Delhi Daredevils) decided against signing Virat Kohli before the inaugural season in 2008, which led to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) signing him.
Kohli remains the only player in the history of the IPL who has played for the same team in all 18 seasons of the league so far. The Indian cricket legend joined the Bengaluru-based franchise months before his India debut and has not switched loyalties ever since, despite the franchise's trophy drought.
What Is The Story Behind Virat Kohli's Arrival To RCB?
Just about a month before the first season of the IPL was set to start, Kohli led India to the U-19 World Cup title in Malaysia, marking only the second occasion of the Men in Blue lifting the elusive prize. While the IPL auction was completed by then, the BCCI decided to hold a special draft for the U-19 team.
Kohli was the star attraction of the day and the Delhi-based franchise had the chance to pick the first player. With Kohli being a native Delhi player, it seemed the perfect story for him to play for the franchise. However, the Daredevils decided to buy pacer Pradeep Sangwan (also from Delhi) instead. RCB had the second pick, and they signed Kohli for USD 50,000.
Virender Sehwag Breaks Silence
Virender Sehwag was the captain of the side in the first season after signing for them before the first-ever auction as an 'icon player.' The former India opener explained that DC had a plethora of top-order options and needed more bowlers, which led to them signing Sangwan.
"So you are questioning my captaincy," Sehwag said jokingly to the host on being asked the question in an interaction on Cricbuzz.
"This did not happen on the auction table. We had me, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Dilshan, Ab de Villiers. There were so many openers and top-order batters. We had a lot of batters, but we did not have bowlers. So our thinking was to get an extra bowler. He was a left-armer. We thought he would do good and he did too. Yo, Mahesh and Pradeep Sangwan were two young bowlers, who did well for us in the first three seasons," Sehwag added.
Sangwan was regarded among the top young talent but never played for India. In his three-year stint with the Daredevils, he played 28 matches and took 29 wickets. Later, also played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Lions, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans. Post his departure from the Delhi-based outfit, he never played more than five matches in a season.
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