Delhi pacer Pradeep Sangwan made headlines in 2008 when he helped the Virat Kohli-led India U19 team win the youth World Cup in Malaysia, beating the South African U19s in the final.
The same year, the U19 player draft for the IPL 2008 happened and in what remains a big talking point to date, Delhi Capitals, then Delhi Daredevils, chose Pradeep Sangwan over Virat Kohli in the draft.
Kohli went onto become the leading run-getter in the tournament with records like most runs in one edition (973) and most hundreds in one edition (4); while Sangwan managed 35 wickets in 39 matches for various franchises like Gujarat Lions, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders apart from the Capitals.
Now, after these many years, Pradeep Sangwan will now be a designated "net bowler" for Delhi Capitals in the UAE along with five others. Apart from the left-armer Sangwan, former MI bowler Pawan Suyal will also travel to UAE as a net bowler.
Delhi all-rounder Pranshu Vijayaran, Railways left-arm spinner Harsh Tyagi along with two unheralded youngsters - left-arm wrist spinner Rajat Goel and pacer Bobby Yadav - complete the list.
"Yes, Sangwan and Suyal are traveling as net bowlers. Pranshu is the third guy and even Harsh who now plays for Ranji Trophy is our boy as he represented Delhi during his India U-19 days. Rajat is a local club cricketer while Bobby is from UP," a senior DDCA official told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"Sangi (as his nickname is in Delhi circle) has suffered a lot due to injuries in the past few years. So has Suyal, who has now cut down his run-up consistently after stress fractures and back injuries. Hope bowling in IPL nets helps them," the official, who has tracked both since their younger days, said.
Delhi Capitals chose to have two left-arm pacers given that all the primary squad speedsters are right-arm bowlers - Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel, and Avesh Khan.
"You need variation at training and hence Sangi and Suyal are on board. They are experienced first-class players, who will provide quality practice," a source in the know of things told PTI.
Left-arm wrist spinner Rajat Goel is a regular at DC nets, while Bobby Yadav is a talented right-arm fast-medium who plays for ONGC and is expected to make his first-class debut for UP in the coming season.
"DC has two wrist spinners in Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane and two finger spinners in R Ashwin and Axar. Harsh is a typical shorter format bowler, who bowls the restrictive line. It would be good exposure for him," the source said.
All-rounder Pranshu, who was first spotted for Ranji Trophy by former skipper Gautam Gambhir, bowls wicket-to-wicket and has variations in his slower deliveries.
(PTI inputs)
