Former India opener Virender Sehwag has opened up about a crucial decision taken during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League in 2008, revealing why a young Virat Kohli was not picked by the then Delhi Daredevils.
Speaking as an expert on JioHotstar, Sehwag explained that the franchise had a packed top-order batting line-up at the time, which left little room to accommodate another specialist batter like Kohli.
Packed Top Order Left No Space For Kohli
Recalling the team composition during the inaugural IPL season, Sehwag said Delhi already had several established top-order batters, making team selection a challenge.
He noted that players such as Shikhar Dhawan and Tillakaratne Dilshan were part of the squad as openers but were pushed down the batting order due to the presence of senior players.
“Back in 2008, during the inaugural IPL season, I remember Shikhar Dhawan and Tillakaratne Dilshan were in our team. Both were openers, but we made them bat at three and five because Gautam and I used to open,” Sehwag recalled.
He added that Manoj Tiwary had secured the number four position, further crowding the top order.
“We had a lot of top-order batters in the team, and it was becoming difficult to fit all of them into the batting order,” he said.
Lack Of Bowling Options Led To Sangwan Selection
Sehwag explained that the team management ultimately had to prioritise bowling strength over additional batting depth, which led to the selection of left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan instead of Kohli.
He revealed that Kohli was also primarily a top-order batter at the time, which made it harder to justify his inclusion in an already crowded batting line-up.
“At that time, Virat Kohli was also batting at number three or four. So we didn’t even have space to bring him in. We lacked a bowler, so we decided to go with Pradeep Sangwan instead of Kohli,” Sehwag explained.
The decision highlights how team balance considerations, rather than doubts about talent, influenced the franchise’s early squad selections.
Kohli’s Journey With Royal Challengers Bengaluru
During the inaugural IPL auction in 2008, Kohli was eventually picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 12 lakh, a move that proved historic for the franchise.
Over the years, Kohli has gone on to become one of the most successful players in the tournament’s history.
Representing the Bengaluru-based franchise, Kohli has amassed 8,889 runs in 272 matches and 262 innings in IPL history. His tally includes:
- 8 centuries
- 65 half-centuries
- Average: 39.86
His consistent performances have cemented his legacy as one of the league’s all-time great batters.
Kohli In Strong Form In IPL 2026
In the ongoing IPL 2026 season, Kohli continues to deliver strong performances and is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament.
He has scored 228 runs in five matches, including two half-centuries, underlining his enduring class even after nearly two decades at the top level.
Sehwag’s revelation offers fans an interesting look back at the early days of the IPL, showing how team composition decisions can shape the careers of players and franchises alike.