Sakariya impressed with his bowling in the first phase of the IPL 2021, racking up 7 wickets in as many matches after being purchased by the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL auction for ₹1.2 crores.
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Chetan Sakariya’s spectacular rise over the last six months has seen the player put Gujarat’s Bhavnagar on the cricket map. Sakariya impressed with his bowling in the first phase of the IPL 2021, racking up 7 wickets in as many matches after being purchased by the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL auction for ₹1.2 crores. Speaking from his home in the city of Bhavnagar, Chetan said, “When I was picked up by Rajasthan Royals, the only thing running in my mind was that they have shown so much faith in me, I wanted to make sure that I was performing well and helping the team win. I think I did a decent job whenever I was given the responsibility.”
“Then to make it to the Indian team, it has been a dream come true. When I first heard of it, there were a lot of thoughts in my head, but I was unable to believe it. I pinched myself because I was wondering if it was even true. I didn’t think of it in a way that I would get to play or not, just being a part of that dressing room was a huge moment for me,” he added.
The 23-year-old left-arm pacer was accompanied by Royals’ captain Sanju Samson during their recent tour of Sri Lanka. Chetan Sakariya shared an anecdote from their conversation. “When we were at RR earlier this year and I had played a few matches, we were in the nets talking about how I could get my pace up, but Sanju bhai called me and said, ‘You’re doing well and are unique because you have the swing, so you should try to bowl fast but make sure that it doesn’t affect your ability to swing the ball. Remember my words when I say that you’ll play for India very soon.’ So, as soon as I got selected for India and we met in Sri Lanka, he made me remember that day and asked me to keep focusing on the right things and wished me well. So that was really nice of him,” Sakariya added.
The youngster also informed that he was fortunate to have trained with Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the tour. “I met Bhuvi bhai during the nets, and saw him bowling consistently at one spot, so I asked him what the secret behind it was, and he told me that the secret was to feel the action, and make sure that the focus is on each step during the run-up. So that was special, and I’ve tried doing that as well.”
Besides, Chetan opened up on what his coach and former Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid said to him during their first interaction. “After having completed a two-week quarantine in Sri Lanka, we had a get together and everyone was either working out or stretching outdoors, and I was taking a rest near the poolside when Rahul sir came up to me and said, ‘Hi Chetan, Rahul here.’ I was shocked and startled at first because I couldn’t believe that it was really him, but I stood up and said ‘hi’ to him,” he added.
“I introduced myself and he asked me about my family background, playing experience, etc. He also asked about cricket in Saurashtra and how we’ve been doing well in the last five years, and complimented me for my bowling and said he had followed my journey during the IPL, and that he liked how I bowled with the new and the old ball. So, it felt amazing that a legend like him knew who I was and was following my performances.”
