NEW DELHI:
Swapnil Singh
went through a rollercoaster of emotions during the 2024 IPL auction.
In the initial rounds, the left-arm spinner went unsold and a disheartened Swapnil contemplated retiring from his 18-year-long career.
However, just when all seemed lost,
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
made a surprise move late in the auction and raised their paddle, expressing interest in acquiring Swapnil's services.
The unexpected turn of events brought a new twist and added an exciting new chapter to the spinner's cricketing journey.
"The day of the IPL auction I was travelling to Dharamsala for a game. It was around 7-8 pm after I landed. Nothing had happened by then and the last rounds were on. When I missed out at first, I thought that's it. Frankly I thought it was all over,” Swapnil told RCB Bold Diaries.
"I thought I would play out the ongoing (domestic) season, and if needed, I would end my career after playing the next season because I did not want to keep playing all my life," he said.
"There are other things to do well in life as well. I was very disappointed,” said Swapnil, who made his debut in 2006 and had even shared the dressing room with RCB teammate Virat Kohli at one point in time.
Bought at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, the 33-year-old has repaid the faith the franchise showed in him.
Swapnil has played a pivotal role in RCB's recent string of wins which have propelled them into the playoffs, with the 2016 finalists set to face a struggling Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad in the Eliminator on Wednesday.
Swapnil said it was an emotional moment for his entire family after they learnt that he was picked up by RCB.
"As soon as my family called, we broke down. Because no one else understands how emotional the journey has been."
Swapnil has also credited former Zimbabwe captain and RCB head coach Andy Flower for showing the faith in him.
“Before RCB picked me in the auction, they had organised a trial-cum-camp. I spoke to Andy sir and told him all about how my (domestic) season had gone. I told him, ‘Just give me one chance. 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.
Swapnil also revealed his wish that he expressed to his brother, that he wanted to contribute with the bat in IPL. The moment eventually arrived when he smacked a four and a six against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"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.
(With inputs from PTI)
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