Virender Sehwag finally reveals why Delhi Capitals didn't sign Virat Kohli in IPL 2008

Why didn't Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) pick Virat Kohli in the 2008 IPL draft? This question pops up now and then, and it is doing the rounds once again after Virat Kohli powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a thumping 6-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on Sunday (April 27) in the ongoing IPL 2025.

The batting superstar was one of the most sought-after youngsters in world cricket back in 2008. He had led India to glory in the Under-19 World Cup, and not many would have thought that Delhi Capitals would decide against signing him.

Delhi had the opportunity to sign Virat Kohli

Before the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, the Under-19 players were picked up by the franchise through a draft system. A total of 16 players were registered for the draft. Delhi Capitals had the opportunity to pick local boy Virat Kohli, but they decided against it and signed up left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan.

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On the other hand, Virat Kohli was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The right-handed batsman went from strength to strength and is now one of the most decorated batsmen of this generation. In the IPL, he has been playing for RCB since the inaugural season.

Sehwag narrates what happened

Recently, Virender Sehwag was asked about Delhi Capitals' decision not to pick Kohli back in 2008. The former India opener was the captain of the franchise at that time and played a key role in his decision.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag explained the reason, saying that the team had enough top-order batters and wanted to pick a bowler.

"I was there. Gautam Gambhir was there, Shikhar Dhawan was there, Dilshan was there — we had so many top-order batsmen. Then there was AB de Villiers too. So we had plenty of batsmen. What we lacked were bowlers. Our thinking was that we should bring in a bowler, and he was a left-arm bowler too, which made him different. He performed well for us too.

Pradeep Sangwan and Yo Mahesh were two new bowlers at that time, and both did well for us," said Sehwag.

Virat Kohli stars against DC:

On Sunday, Kohli played at his home ground in Delhi but for the opposition team. He plied his trade for RCB and scored a match-winning fifty for his team. Chasing 163 runs, RCB were in a spot of bother after being reduced to 26/3. However, Kohli and Krunal Pandya hit fifties to take their team home.

Meanwhile, the win also took RCB to the top of the points table. They now have 7 wins from 10 games and are looking destined to qualify for the playoffs.

Also Read: DC vs KKR Match Prediction - Who Will Win Today's IPL Match 48 2025?