Felt amazing that a legend like Rahul Dravid was following my IPL performances: Chetan Sakariya

India’ Gujarat youngster Chetan Sakariya has been living the dream of his life ever since his success in the first phase of IPL 2021. After going through a lot in his personal life, Sakariya’s luck started shining when he was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping 1.2 crores during the IPL 2021 auction. He played for the Royals and clinched seven wickets in the India leg of IPL 2021.

After his impressive performance in the IPL, he received his maiden call-up for India’s tour to Sri Lanka. India’s mainstream team was in England and that is why a relatively younger lot went to tour Lanka for white-ball series comprising six matches. Sakariya went to the island nation under the guidance of Rahul Dravid, who went there in the capacity of the head coach.

In the recent turn of events, Sakariya shared his experience of talking to the legendary batsman and former RR skipper Rahul Dravid for the first time in Lanka. He added that he was mesmerized when he got to know that Dravid followed his IPL journey. The young bowler also accepted being startled while Dravid initiated a conversation with him.

I couldn’t believe that it was really Dravid talking to me: Chetan Sakariya

“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.

“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,” said Sakariya as quoted by the Inside Sports.