Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Swapnil Singh made a big impact for the franchise in the second half of the IPL 2024 as the team qualified for the playoffs. In a video shared by RCB, Swapnil shared his emotional cricketing journey and connection with Virat Kohli.
Swapnil played a pivotal role during this resurgence, contributing with both bat and ball. He has scored 28 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 164.70 and taken six wickets at an average of 19.00 and an economy rate of 8.76, with his best figures being 2/28.
Despite being born in Lucknow; Swapnil played FC cricket for Baroda and currently represents Uttarakhand. His cricketing journey began with his father, who was his first coach and driving force.
"My father was my first coach. I am playing cricket because of him. It was his passion to make me play that made this all possible. I was in the class sixth when I shifted to Baroda for my cricket. He wanted me to become a batter. When I came to Baroda, I started to bowl. I made my Ranji debut at the age of 14 years and 355 days," he recalled.
Swapnil's connection with Virat Kohli dates back to their U15 and U19 days when they were roommates during tours to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
"When I met him after so many years, it felt so warm. We were meeting after so many years and asked each other about our lives and families. It felt really good," he added.
Swapnil revealed that he was first picked in the IPL way back in 2008 by Mumbai Indians and shared the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar. However, it took him a decade to make his debut, which came for Punjab Kings in 2017, where he played 4 games.
"I was picked in 2008 for Mumbai Indians. Sachin (Tendulkar) is like a god to us all. When I met him and interacted with him for the first time, it felt good. 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.
Swapnil's journey with RCB began after he impressed at a trials-cum-camp organized by the team. He described the emotional moment when he was informed of his selection by his family.
"When RCB picked me up, they had conducted a trials-cum-camp. I asked Andy to give me one more chance, that could have also been my last. He invited me to the camp. The camp was average. When the auction was happening, I was traveling to Dehradun for the Ranji Trophy. When I landed, it must be 7 or 8 PM. The last rounds of the auction must have been going on. Nothing had happened. I had also missed it thinking that it was over.
I wanted to play this ongoing season and one more season if possible since I did not want to do this all my life. I was very disappointed. I thought there were other things to conquer. But then my family called me, and we just broke down. Nobody knows how emotional this journey has been for me," he added.
Swapnil stayed committed, treating each net session like a match. His efforts were rewarded with the opportunity to play and contribute to RCB's victorious season.
"When we were losing, I thought fans would abuse us. But fans were not going down. It was shocking to me. I felt really good that fans were loyal to us. I used to talk to my brother that I wanted to hit just a four and six in the IPL since I have a wicket. I got to do that as well. On the seventh ball of my first over (in which he bowled a no ball), I got a wicket. It is all God's work," he concluded.
(ANI inputs)
