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In 2008, the inaugural IPL season, teams were allowed to pick a few Under-19 players from the batch that had just won the U-19 World Cup under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. GMR Group-owned Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) had the first pick from this Under-19 draw of the lot. Surprisingly, they chose Pradeep Sangwan, a promising left-arm pacer who had performed well in the tournament, instead of Kohli, who was also from Delhi.
As a result, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) picked Kohli. That decision changed the course of IPL and Indian cricket history. Kohli went on to become one of the greatest players of the game, the long-time captain of RCB, and eventually the captain of the Indian national team. Ironically, despite being a Delhi boy, Kohli never played for the Delhi franchise.
With Kohli stepping back from T20Is and Tests, playing County cricket could be a great way for him to stay in form and connect with English conditions. If GMR, which has the majority stake in Hampshire County Cricket Club, approaches him, it could be a win-win situation.
For Kohli, it’s a chance to refine his game, especially in English conditions, which have historically challenged even the best batter. For Hampshire and the ECB, having a player of Kohli’s caliber would boost the profile and viewership of County cricket, attract more sponsors, and increase international interest.
Plus, Kohli playing County could inspire more Indian players to take the route, helping the ECB build stronger cricketing ties with India, the biggest cricket market globally. It could lead to more lucrative broadcasting deals, joint ventures, and overall growth in the game’s popularity in both countries.
England’s conditions, with their swing-friendly pitches and often overcast weather, have always been a real test for batters. Kohli playing County cricket there would send a strong message that he can master those tricky swings and seam movement—even later in his career.
It would also show young players how to adapt to different conditions and formats, setting a great example. Plus, the exposure to longer spells in English conditions could only add more depth to his game when he is playing ODI cricket for India, who knows?
