The induction of the Indian Premier League in 2008 brought a new revolution in Indian cricket. It took the game to home of the fans in all parts of the country. The franchises also picked local cricketers to establish a better connection with fans. Meanwhile, Delhi Daredevils didn’t pick Virat Kohli in the 2008 IPL auctions.
The young Kohli was making all the right noises after winning the U-19 World Cup. He starred with the bat leading from the front and beating top sides including South Africa in the final to win the trophy. Despite his stocks going higher, Daredevils didn’t bid for the local star.
Delhi picked Sangwan ahead of Kohli in IPL 2008
Former IPL COO Sundar Raman has recently revealed the reason why Delhi didn’t go for Virat Kohli. Speaking to Gaurav Kapoor in podcast 22, Raman explained why Delhi Daredevils didn’t want Kohli in their ranks.
“Interestingly, that was also the year India had won the U-19 World Cup, just a month before the auction. They were captained by Virat Kohli and we decided to keep a separate draft for the U-19 players a few days after the auction. Surprise, surprise! Virat Kohli was not the first player to be picked in the draft,” Raman said.
“Delhi passed on him, actually, and picked Pradeep Sangwan instead, because they said they didn’t need another batsman. And they didn’t actually, they had Virender Sehwag and AB de Villiers. They were right in their thinking, but RCB picked him up and the rest, as they say, is history,” he added.
Meanwhile, the rest is truly history. Virat Kohli has gone onto becoming the hottest property in the IPL. He is the highest-paid cricketer in the tournament and is also the highest run-scorer in the competition.
However, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain is yet to take his side to the glory. Kohli has remained dedicated to delivering the results for the fans and have pledged to stay with Bangalore until he bids farewell to the game.
