New Delhi: Swapnil Singh, an all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bangalore who had a great impact in the Indian Premier League during the second half of the season, talked about his love of cricket and how he related to Virat Kohli.
The team managed to win only one match out of their first eight games before winning six on the trot to finish in the playoff spot.
He was instrumental in this resurgence after playing an important role with both bat and ball. He has scored runs (28) at a healthy strike rate (164.70) in four innings while also picking up six wickets at an average of 19.00 with an economy rate of 8.76, his best being 2/28.
Born in Lucknow, Swapnil represented Baroda from 2005 until 2020 before moving to Uttarakhand where he recounts some emotional career highs and lows. His father was his first coach who inspired him as he started becoming passionate about cricket.
He said “My dad was my first coach and I think it is because of him that I started playing cricket,” He used to push me a lot.” “I went there when I was in sixth standard for my cricketing purpose…he wanted me to become a batsman but when I came over here …bowl…I made my teaching debut at 14 years and 355 days,” he told.
Swapnil’s connection with Virat Kohli goes back to their under-15s when they were room-mates on tours to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
“It felt so warm meeting him after so many years. We met after such a long time; we were discussing our families’ lives with each other. It felt really good,” he added.
His IPL journey began with Mumbai Indians in 2008 though his league debut came for Kings XI Punjab against Rising Pune Supergiant three seasons ago where he played four matches including his first v MS Dhoni.
“In 2008, I was taken by the Mumbai Indians. He is like god to everyone of us in India- Sachin. That felt nice and it was good to be able to interact with him for the first time ever. My IPL debut happened against CSK while playing for PBKS. Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) was my captain. I had taken just one wicket, of MS Dhoni, caught and bowled,” said Swapnil.
Baroda dropping Swapnil from their squad despite his consistent performances has been his biggest blow till now in 2020; however, former cricketer Irfan Pathan came into his life again as a savior when he lent a helping hand to give him a chance in Uttarakhand.
“It was a blessing in disguise because when you are thrown out of your house, you learn to stand on your feet. Now I realize Baroda did good to me, otherwise I would have been finished,” said Mr Singh.
Swapnil made his return to the IPL with Lucky Super Giants after Deepak Hooda invited him as a net bowler. His impressive showing alerted coaches Andy Flower and Narendra Hirwani who took notice of his performance.
“I would say Deepak Hooda is my blood brother. He called me to become a LSG net bowler and I ended the call and insulted him (laughs). He rang back calling me to think about it though. Irfan told me to go. I was kind of thinking I had been in IPL before. The concept of net bowler had started just then. So, I went hesitantly. Coach Andy Flower was impressed with me as a cricketer. That is why I had ball number one all the way to the end when we were bowling. Narendra Hirwani was very happy with what he saw, he was our spin coach too. It made me another person from a bowler’s perspective, 180-degree flip by him.. Inquired from Andy why myself he could not have tried and batted also: He even pushed me into batting.” Gautam Gambhir, also known as GG bhai back then used to say that; they were also impressed with my batting whereas his role has been significant all along this,” Swapnil said.
His journey with RCB began after Swapnil’s performance in such trials cum camps organized by the team. He described how his family informed him about being selected.
“RCB picked me up for that they had conducted a trials-cum-camp. One more chance was what I asked Andy for and probably it could have been my last too. Me being invited for the camp by him happened later on.. The camp wasn’t that impressive enough for an individual who really wanted to make it through but… When auctioning was taking place, I happened to be travelling to Dehradun for Ranji Trophy match at that time… At last touchdown must be around 7 or 8 PM – those last rounds of auction may still be going on… Nothing .When i missed assuming there’s nothing else coming forth What i want is playing this ongoing season and the next one if possible because I don’t want to do it for the rest of my life. It made me very sad. I thought there were more things to be won than that. But then my family called, we all just broke down. No one knows how intense this journey has been,” he said.
Throughout, Swapnil dedicated his time as though every net session was a match for him in itself.. Such dedication rewarded him with playing opportunities, helping RCB attain their successful campaign.
“When we lost matches I used to think fans will just abuse us. However fans never went down they supported us still. I felt really good that fans are really loyal to us as cricketers… Earlier on however we only talk about hitting fours or sixes, at least a single four and six in the entire IPL is what I used to tell my brother since I am still having wicket in hand… That’s how it finally happened with me; On my seventh ball of my first over (in which he bowled a no ball), I got a wicket that’s all from God!” He added.
