[Video] When Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians to sign Virender Sehwag after Delhi Capitals refused to use RTM

Cricket

TN Sports Desk

Updated Feb 09, 2022 | 07:52 IST

IPL 2014: Virender Sehwag was purchased by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2014 auction after Delhi Capitals refused to use the Right to Match card for him.

Punjab Kings signed Virender Sehwag ahead of IPL 2014 |courtesy- BCCI/IPL

Key Highlights

Virender Sehwag was purchased by Punjab Kings for Rs. 3.2 Crore

Sehwag was released by the Delhi Capitals coming into the new season

Even Mumbai Indians bid for Sehwag in the 2014 auction

Being a local boy, Virender Sehwag's association with Delhi Capitals (DC) seemed a very natural phenomenon. Before the inaugural season, Sehwag was assigned as the Delhi-based franchisee's icon player and he was made their captain for the first season.

Sehwag had a long and successful run with DC and to date is their second-highest run-scorer with a record of 2382 runs in 86 matches at an average of 29.77 and a stunning strike rate of 158.87. Only current skipper Rishabh Pant has more runs for the 2020 runner's-up than Sehwag in history.

However, Sehwag and Delhi's association came to an unexpected end before the 2014 season as the franchise retained no players going into the auction. This put Sehwag on the auction table for the first time in history at a base price of Rs. 2 crores.

While Sehwag had not played for India in any form of the game for almost a year at the time, his stature as one of the country's greatest meant people expected big bids for him. However, for a brief moment, it looked like he was going to go unsold as there was silence after auctioneer Richard Madley called his name.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) raised their paddle just in time and Mumbai Indians followed it up with a bid of their own. After PBKS's Rs. 3.2 Crore bid, MI pulled out of the race. However, DC still had the option to use their Right to Match (RTM) card on him but to the surprise of many, they refused to activate it making Sehwag a Punjab player.

Watch video here

Sehwag's inaugural season was a memorable one as PBKS reached the final for the first time in history. In fact, it was a memorable knock by Sehwag against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second qualifier at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai that led them to the summit clash where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).