Yuzvendra Chahal had an excellent time in IPL with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), for whom he played 114 matches from 2014-2021 and picked 139 wickets for them and is still the highest wicket-taker for the franchise in IPL history.
Therefore, it was a huge shock when the franchise released him ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction and Chahal revealed that he was been promised by the RCB that they would do anything to get him back in the auction.
However, this was not the case, as RCB didn’t go all out for him in the auction and Chahal was bought by Rajasthan Royals. RCB had decided to retain Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, and Glenn Maxwell ahead of the auction.
Recently, Chahal opened up on being snubbed by the RCB and made big revelations over his “non-communication” with the franchise.
“I played there for 8 years. RCB gave me the India cap, because they gave me a chance to perform. From the very first match, Virat bhaiya showed me trust. So, it felt bad, because it almost feels like family when you spend 8 years on a team. A lot of rumors came in like I asked for a huge amount of money. I clarified at the time that there wasn't anything like that. I know what I deserve,” Chahal said on YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's podcast.
“What I felt really bad about was there was no phone call, no communication. At least talk. I had played 114 matches for them. In an auction, they promised me that they will go all-out for me. I said, fine. When I wasn't picked up there, I was very angry. I gave them 8 years. Chinnaswamy was my favorite ground. I didn't talk to RCB coaches. The first match I played against them, I didn't talk to anyone,” said the leg-spinner further.
Chahal has had an excellent two seasons with RR as he picked 27 wickets in IPL 2022 and won the Purple Cap and in IPL 2023, he picked 21 wickets as well. He also went past Lasith Malinga and became the all-time highest wicket-taker in IPL history and now has 187 wickets in 145 matches.
Chahal further delved into the time when he made his transition from RCB to Rajasthan Royals, stating how the move eventually helped him grow as a cricketer.
“I realize the auction is a very unpredictable place. So, I made peace with the fact that whatever happens, happens for good. At RR, I started bowling at the death. Often, my quota would be completed before 16 overs in RCB. So, I think I grew as a cricketer in RR as well. So, whatever happened, happened for good.
I have an attachment for RCB and their fans, but coming to Rajasthan Royals helped me cricket-wise,” said Chahal.
Chahal will next be seen in action in the ODI and T20I series in West Indies.
