Left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh’s journey in cricket has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, marked by perseverance, setbacks, and a triumphant resurgence. Swapnil, originally from Uttar Pradesh, was picked up by the Mumbai Indians during the very first IPL auction, signalling a promising start to his career. However, it took 16 long years for him to make a significant impact in the league. At the age of 33, now part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Swapnil has become a crucial player in the team’s remarkable turnaround that saw them win six consecutive matches to secure a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Swapnil’s journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication and resilience. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls debuting for Baroda at just 14 years old. His cricketing path saw him sharing rooms with the likes of Virat Kohli and facing numerous challenges, including being sidelined by his state team.
Despite these hurdles, Swapnil Singh found his way back into professional cricket, initially serving as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) before earning a spot in RCB’s playing XI. In an emotional video shared by RCB’s social media, Swapnil recounted the day of the IPL 2024 auction. Travelling to Dehradun for a Ranji Trophy match, he was anxiously following the auction proceedings.
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As the accelerated round began, Swapnil Singh had almost given up hope of being selected. He reflected on the possibility of retiring, believing his dream of playing in the IPL was over. However, a phone call from his family changed everything. When he learned that he had been picked by RCB, emotions overwhelmed him, and he broke down in tears, deeply moved by the realization of his dream.
“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, ‘Duniya jeetene ke liya aur bhi cheeze hain’ (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,” said Swapnil Singh.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽𝗻𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 is special for a number of reasons! Keep those tissues handy. If you’re not his fan already, you’ll end up becoming one.🥹❤
Watch Swapnil’s emotional and inspiring journey on @bigbasket_com presents RCB Bold Diaries!#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/8wlNNjsfxo
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 20, 2024
Swapnil Singh’s IPL debut came in 2016 with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), where he claimed MS Dhoni as his maiden IPL wicket. He later joined Lucknow Super Giants in the 2023 season but found limited opportunities, often benched in favor of other spinners like Ravi Bishnoi. Despite this, RCB recognized his potential and brought him on board for IPL 2024.
Swapnil Singh’s domestic career has been equally impressive. He was the highest run-scorer for Baroda in the 2017-18 season, amassing 565 runs in six games with an average of 62.77. His standout performance in the 2014-15 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he took 6/19 against Saurashtra, showcased his bowling prowess, claiming the wickets of prominent players like Sheldon Jackson and Cheteshwar Pujara.
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In the 2021-22 domestic season, he switched to playing for Uttarakhand, further honing his skills. Now, as a key player for RCB, Swapnil Singh has proven his worth, repaying the franchise’s faith in him with match-winning performances. His journey from being a young debutant to a seasoned campaigner in the IPL underscores his enduring passion for the game and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
