The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have given an unexpected debut to Swapnil Singh, a left-arm orthodox bowler who can also bat from Uttar Pradesh and he delivered in both aspects as RCB look to get back to winning ways with two points against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The 33-year-old made his debut in the IPL when playing for Kings XI Punjab (now renamed Punjab Kings) back in the 2016 edition. Since then he also made the move to Lucknow Super Giants when he was picked at the 2023 auctions.
Interestingly, he made his debut for Baroda at just 14 years old. As the years went by, he was also the highest-run scorer for the side in the 2017-18 season with 565 runs in six games, averaging at 62.77.
Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024
In the 2014-15 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali, Swapnil rocked the Saurashtra batting unit by finishing with figures of 6/19 in his four overs. Among the wickets included the likes of Sheldon Jackson and Indian international Cheteshwar Pujara.
He then switched to playing for Uttarakhand in the 2021-22 domestic season but has not made much of an impact since then.
Swapnil was stuck on the bench for LSG when the likes of Ravi Bishnoi and others took up the spinner’s slot in the starting XI and was subsequently released by the franchise.
READ MORE: Strike-rate Concerns for Virat Kohli as RCB Star Unable to Accelerate Though Middle Overs vs SRH
RCB however, showed faith in the 33-year-old and now has repaid in dividends as they are on the verge of clinching a momentum-shifting win over the dangerous SRH side.
Coincidentally, the all-rounder was in the race to be picked for India’s U19 World Cup squad in 2008 which was led by Virat Kohli but failed to make the cut. However, he now shares the pitch with the RCB man and has been impactful with the bat scoring 12 runs in six balls and taking the key wickets of the South African duo, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen.
READ MORE: IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals Rope in Gulbadin Naib as Mitchell Marsh Replacement
Despite being in the final stretch of his career, Swapnil continues to show the world his skills and RCB will be grateful for the impact he has made so far.
