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Virender Sehwag was the first skipper for Delhi Daredevils (DD) in the first season of the IPL. He played for the Delhi franchise till 2013 and thereafter turned up for Kings XI Punjab for the next two seasons.
The aggressive opener played 104 matches in the IPL across eight seasons and had an astounding strike rate of 155.44 including two centuries and 16 half-centuries.
On the occasion of Virender Sehwag's 46th birthday today (October 20), here is a look at DD's playing 11 from his debut for the franchise in 2008 and where they are now.
Top order - Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan
The DD top order in its maiden IPL game was an envious one comprising Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Shikhar Dhawan. DD played their first-ever game against Rajasthan Royals and were set a target of 130.
Sehwag opened the batting with Gambhir in the said game and was dismissed for 12 in four deliveries after smashing three boundaries. Sehwag last played IPL in 2015 and since then has been a successful broadcaster and a famous commentator in the Hindi language. He is also known for his witty tweets and is active on social media.
Gautam Gambhir scored an impressive unbeaten 58 and guided his team to a win. Gambhir played in the IPL till 2018 and won two IPL titles, captaining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 and 2014. He was the coach of KKR when they won their third IPL trophy in 2024. Presently, Gambhir is the head coach of the Indian cricket team across all formats.
Shikhar Dhawan scored a half-century in the match (52*) and added 112 runs with Gambhir for the second wicket. Dhawan played 222 IPL matches and is the second-highest run-getter of all time (6769). He was an integral part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise that won the IPL trophy in 2016.
Dhawan played five matches in IPL 2024 before being injured. On August 24, 2024, Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He played for Gujarat Giants in Legends League Cricket 2024.
Middle order - Manoj Tiwary, Dinesh Karthik, Rajat Bhatia, and Mithun Manhas
Manoj Tiwary was slated to bat at number four in the said game. Tiwary had a successful domestic career and called it a day post the 2023-2024 Ranji Trophy. In 2021, Tiwary joined politics in 2021. He was a part of the Manipal Tigers in the recently concluded Legends League Cricket 2024.
Dinesh Karthik was the keeper-batter for DD. Karthik played in the IPL till 2024 and thereafter announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He played 257 IPL games and was known for his exceptional batting skills in the death overs. He is now a commentator and is known for his sharp analysis and wit behind the mic.
Rajat Bhatia had an impressive outing in DD's inaugural IPL game, picking up two wickets for just 17 runs from his four overs. His victims were Mohammad Kaif and Mahesh Rawat. Bhatia was a part of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2012 and he played in the IPL till 2017. He was a handy all-rounder. Bhatia played for Gujarat Giants in Legends League Cricket 2023.
Mithun Manhas was another all-rounder in the DD team. He played 55 IPL matches across seven seasons. He was one of the assistant coaches of the Gujarat Titans team that won the IPL 2022 trophy and held the position till IPL 2024.
Lower order - Farveez Maharoof, Daniel Vettori, Brett Geeves, and Glenn McGrath
The Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof was the Man of the Match in DD's first-ever game. He bowled four overs, conceding only 11 runs and picking up the wickets of Darren Lehmann and Shane Warne. He played in the IPL till 2010. Maharoof has now taken up commentary post-retirement and also participated in the Legends Cricket Trophy and captained Patna Warriors in the 2023 edition.
Vettori picked up the solitary wicket of Ravindra Jadeja in the said game. He played in the IPL till 2012. His last game for New Zealand was in 2015. Post-retirement, the Kiwi has taken up coaching and was at the helm of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during IPL 2024. He is currently the assistant coach of the Australia men's national cricket team.
Brett Geeves played only two IPL games, including DD's first-ever IPL game. He conceded 41 runs in four overs without picking up any wickets. A back injury forced him to retire at the early age of 29. In 2024, he played in the MPCA Senior Summer Cup.
Glenn McGrath picked up the first wicket for DD in IPL cricket. His victim was Taruwar Kohli. 2008 was the first and last season for the Aussie pace legend in the IPL. He is presently the president of the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer support and education charity. He is also the director of the MRF Pace Foundation.
