Swapnil Singh, the left-arm off-spinner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, became emotional as he recounted his journey in the Indian Premier League.
Swapnil Singh was brought on board by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) management, headed by head coach Andy Flower, for his base price of INR 20 Lakhs. This move reunited Swapnil with Flower, under whom he had previously debuted while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants. Few remember that Swapnil was first acquired by the Mumbai Indians during the inaugural IPL auction in 2008.
Swapnil, a left-arm spinner and former Baroda player, began his IPL journey with the Mumbai Indians but took 16 years to truly make his mark in the league. Now, at 33, he has become a key player for RCB, playing a significant role in their impressive six-match winning streak that secured them a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Swapnil had requested a chance with RCB from coach Andy Flower, feeling it might be his last opportunity, and is now living a dream he thought had slipped away just a year ago.
Swapnil’s cricket journey is extraordinary. He debuted for Baroda at 14, roomed with Virat Kohli, faced setbacks including being dropped from his state team, and eventually worked his way up as a net bowler with the Lucknow Super Giants before earning a place in RCB’s playing XI. The 33-year-old became emotional recalling the IPL 2024 auction, during which he was picked by RCB in the accelerated round. In a heartfelt video shared on RCB’s social media, Swapnil recounted the auction day and the overwhelming emotions he and his family experienced when he was selected.
In an exclusive interview on RCB Bold Diaries, Swapnil shared his feelings about being sold to RCB during the IPL 2024 auctions. At the time, he was traveling with the Uttarakhand team for a Ranji Trophy match while the auctions were happening in Dubai. His journey from a 14-year-old debutant to a crucial player for RCB highlights the resilience and determination that have defined his cricket career.
“The day of the auction, I was traveling to Dehradun for a Ranji game, and we landed somewhere around 7-8 PM. The last round of IPL auction was going on, and nothing had happened till that time. I frankly thought to myself, it’s done. Thank you.”
“I will play the ongoing season (Ranji), and if needed the next one and call it quits because I do not want to play all my life. There are a lot of other things I can do to be successful). I was very disappointed. But when the moment my family called, we broke down. Not many know how much of an emotional journey it was… That was it” – Swapnil Singh said via RCB Bold Diaries.
Swapnil embarked on his IPL journey back in 2016, stepping onto the field for Kings XI Punjab, now known as Punjab Kings. His debut was nothing short of memorable, as he claimed the prized wicket of none other than MS Dhoni. Later on, he found himself donning the colors of Lucknow Super Giants after being picked in the 2023 auction.
But Swapnil’s cricketing saga stretches far beyond the glitz of the IPL. It all began when he first represented Baroda at the tender age of 14. With time, he honed his skills, eventually emerging as the leading run-scorer for Baroda during the 2017-18 season, where he amassed a remarkable 565 runs in just six matches, boasting an average of 62.77.
In the 2021-22 season, Swapnil decided to switch gears, opting to represent Uttarakhand in domestic cricket, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.
In the ongoing IPL season, Swapnil Singh has showcased his all-round prowess. With the ball, he’s managed to snare six wickets from six matches, maintaining a commendable economy rate of 8.77. Meanwhile, with the bat, he’s contributed 28 runs at a blistering strike rate of 164.71.
