Swapnil Singh had a rollercoaster of emotions during the 2024 IPL auction in New Delhi.
But left-arm spinner Swapnil went unsung for a long time throughout the early stages, and he even thought of retiring after spending eighteen years in cricket.
Just when things appear to have gone wrong, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered late into the auction and raised their paddle showing that they were interested in Swapnil’s services.The unexpected turn of events brought a new twist and added an exciting new chapter to the spinner’s cricketing journey.
“IPL auctions were on while I was travelling to Dharamsala for our game. I landed at around 7-8 pm. By that time nothing happened. The last rounds were going on. When it didn’t happen initially, I thought this is it. To be honest, I thought it’s over,” said Swapnil about RCB Bold Diaries
”I was thinking whether I should play out this season or maybe next season because I did not want to keep playing cricket all through my life,”he said.
“There are other things to do well in life as well. I was very disappointed,” he said. Back then he made his debut back in 2006 and has once been in the same locker room with his RCB team mate Virat Kohli.
Acquired for Rs 20 lakhs at the base price, the franchise’s trust has been vindicated by him at thirty three years old.
The final match before elimination for Eliminator stage will be held between two bottom tier teams i.e., RCB and RR on Wednesday evening here at Ahmedabad.
Swapnil Singh stated that it was a very emotional moment for his family when they found out that he was signed by RCB.
“As soon as my family called they broke down too because nobody else knows what we went through emotionally”.
He also credited Andy Flower, former Zimbabwe captain and current RCB head coach, with having faith in him.
“They had a trial-cum-camp before RCB picked me at the auction. I spoke to Andy sir and told him about my season. ‘Just give me one chance because this might be my last chance. Just have faith in me.’ He told he had faith in me. He called me for the camp,” Swapnil said.
At some point, he expressed his desire to participate with bat in IPL to his sibling that also came true when Sunrisers Hyderabad was on the receiving end of a four and six from him.
I would tell my brother that I have neither scored a four nor a six in the IPL, and I have taken only one wicket. So I really want to hit a four and a six,” he said
