Bengaluru: When Swapnil Singh went unsold in the early rounds of the 2024 IP auction, the disappointed left-arm spinner felt it was time to end his 18-year-old career.
But then Royal Challengers Bangalore added a welcome twist to his cricket journey, albeit late, in the auction.
"On the day of the IPL auction I was going to Dharamshala for a game. It was around 7-8 pm after landing. Nothing had happened till then and the last round was going on.“When I missed the first time, I thought that was it,” Swapnil told RCB Bold Diaries. “To be honest, I thought I was done with everything.”
"I thought I would play the current (domestic) season and if need be, end my career after playing the next season because I didn't want to play for the rest of my life," he said.
"There are other things to do well in life. I was very disappointed," said Swapnil, who made his debut in 2006 and even shared the dressing room with RCB teammate Virat Kohli at one time.
The 33-year-old player, bought at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, has repaid the faith shown in him by the franchise.Swapnil has played a key role in RCB's recent win, which has taken them into the playoffs, with the 2016 finalists facing struggling Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad in the eliminator on Wednesday.
Swapnil said that it was an emotional moment for his entire family when they came to know that he was selected by RCB.
"As soon as my family called, we broke down. Because no one else can understand how emotional the journey has been."
Swapnil has also credited former Zimbabwe captain and RCB head coach Andy Flow for showing faith in him.“Before RCB picked me in the auction, they had organized a trial-cum-camp. Spoke to Andy sir and told him how my (domestic) season went. Told him, 'Just give me one chance.' This might be my last chance. Just trust me.' He told that he has faith in me.They called me for the camp,” said Swapni.
Swapnil also expressed his wish that he had told his brother that he wants to contribute with the bat in the IPL. Finally the moment came when he hit a four and a six against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"I will tell my brother that I have neither hit a four nor a six in the IPL and I have only taken one wicket. So I really want to hit a four and a six," H said.
But then Royal Challengers Bangalore added a welcome twist to his cricket journey, albeit late, in the auction.
"On the day of the IPL auction I was going to Dharamshala for a game. It was around 7-8 pm after landing. Nothing had happened till then and the last round was going on.“When I missed the first time, I thought that was it,” Swapnil told RCB Bold Diaries. “To be honest, I thought I was done with everything.”
"I thought I would play the current (domestic) season and if need be, end my career after playing the next season because I didn't want to play for the rest of my life," he said.
"There are other things to do well in life. I was very disappointed," said Swapnil, who made his debut in 2006 and even shared the dressing room with RCB teammate Virat Kohli at one time.
The 33-year-old player, bought at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, has repaid the faith shown in him by the franchise.Swapnil has played a key role in RCB's recent win, which has taken them into the playoffs, with the 2016 finalists facing struggling Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad in the eliminator on Wednesday.
Swapnil said that it was an emotional moment for his entire family when they came to know that he was selected by RCB.
"As soon as my family called, we broke down. Because no one else can understand how emotional the journey has been."
Swapnil has also credited former Zimbabwe captain and RCB head coach Andy Flow for showing faith in him.“Before RCB picked me in the auction, they had organized a trial-cum-camp. Spoke to Andy sir and told him how my (domestic) season went. Told him, 'Just give me one chance.' This might be my last chance. Just trust me.' He told that he has faith in me.They called me for the camp,” said Swapni.
Swapnil also expressed his wish that he had told his brother that he wants to contribute with the bat in the IPL. Finally the moment came when he hit a four and a six against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"I will tell my brother that I have neither hit a four nor a six in the IPL and I have only taken one wicket. So I really want to hit a four and a six," H said.
