Chahal on Parting Ways with RCB: "I did not receive any phone call, no one even spoke to me”

Few teams in cricket elicit as much love and enthusiasm as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The RCB has always been a force to be reckoned with in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with a star-studded squad and a devoted fan base. However, one unanswered point remains: why weren’t they won the coveted IPL crown yet? Yuzvendra Chahal, an esteemed leg-spinner and former Royal Challengers Bangalore player, recently opened out about his experience and threw some light on the topic.

 “Obviously, I want to go to RCB again” Chahal said before the auction. However, as it turned out, they did not even bid on him. Rajasthan Royals eventually purchased him for INR 6.5 crore, with Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad also bidding. 

Chahal also added “When I put my name up for the auction, they promised me that they will go all out for me, I said okay, but then I was not picked, I was very angry for two-three days. When I played my first match for RR against RCB, I did not speak to anyone from RCB, not even the coaches. I said okay, but then I was not picked, I was very angry for two-three days. When I played my first match for RR against RCB, I did not speak to anyone from RCB, not even the coaches.”

Chahal’s statement revealed a possible lack of communication among RCB management, leaving fans perplexed and anxious about the team’s decision-making procedure. For years, the leg-spinner has been an important component of the RCB setup, contributing with his extraordinary talents and playing an important role in the team’s campaigns.

“Definitely, I felt very bad. My main journey started in 2014. I also felt very weird because I played for the franchise for eight years,” he said. “I would also say that I got the India cap because of my performances for RCB because they gave me a chance to perform. From the very first match, Virat bhai showed trust in me.”

Chahal has taken 48 wickets in two IPL seasons since joining the Royals. During the Royals’ march to the IPL 2022 final, he was awarded the Purple Cap.

“Anything can happen in the auction, and then I realised that it’s okay, whatever happens, happens for good. The one plus point is that after coming to Rajasthan, I became a death bowler. At RCB, my overs were finished by the 16th or 17th over. Here, my cricket growth has improved 5-10 percent. That attachment is definitely there for RCB, but coming to Rajasthan has helped my cricket a lot.”