Why Did Delhi Not Buy Kohli In Ipl 2008 Sehwag Reveals The Reason

During cricket commentary, commentators also remember old matches. Some information is available from old stories, which is surprising for cricket fans. While commentating during IPL 2026, former explosive opener of the Indian team Virender Sehwag narrated a similar incident related to Virat Kohli.

Speaking on ‘Commentary with Champions’ on Geohotstar, Geostar expert Virender Sehwag explained why Delhi Daredevils chose fast bowler Pradeep Sangwan instead of Virat Kohli in the first season of IPL (IPL 2008).

Sehwag said, “I remember. Shikhar Dhawan was also in our team along with Tillakaratne Dilshan in Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2008. Both of them were openers, but we used to make them bat at number three and five because Gautam and I used to open the innings.

Manoj Tiwari batted at number four. There were a lot of top-order batsmen in our team, and it was becoming difficult to fit all of them in the batting order. At that time, Virat Kohli was also batting at number three or four. So we didn’t have space to bring them. We were lacking a bowler, so we decided to bring in Pradeep Sangwan instead of Kohli.”

Delhi: Like Sehwag, Gambhir, Shikhar, Virat also had a home team, but Delhi Daredevils did not buy Virat in IPL 2008. Virat became a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this season and is also playing for RCB in IPL 2026.

This is the 19th consecutive season when Virat is a part of RCB. This is a record of IPL. No other player has spent so long with any franchise. Looking at Virat’s form and fitness, it seems that he will be a part of RCB at least till IPL 2028.

Virat has captained RCB for a long time, and his biggest contribution to the team’s popularity is the brand value. He had a big contribution with the bat in making the team champion in IPL 2025. Delhi has not been able to win the IPL title yet.