Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revisited a harrowing episode from his early career, detailing a moment in 2013 when his life felt at risk during a social gathering. The veteran cricketer, known for his prolific record in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recounted being held over a hotel balcony by an intoxicated player, an event that left him physically and emotionally shaken.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, Chahal clarified the details surrounding the incident, which first gained public attention in 2022. For years, there had been speculation regarding the identity of the cricketer involved, with names such as Andrew Symonds and James Franklin frequently mentioned. Chahal explicitly stated that neither of those players was responsible for his ordeal.
The incident took place in Bengaluru during a party hosted by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Although Chahal was representing the Mumbai Indians at the time, he attended the gathering where he encountered an Australian cricketer who appeared to be heavily under the influence of alcohol. According to Chahal, the individual was physically imposing and strong. The situation escalated rapidly when the man called him over and lifted him into the air. Initially, Chahal believed the gesture was a joke, but the situation turned dire when the man proceeded to hang him over the balcony rail.
Describing the gravity of the moment, Chahal noted that he was on either the 15th or 16th floor of the hotel. "I was terrified. He was heavily drunk, and everyone in the room was stunned. Suddenly, everyone intervened and pulled me back up," Chahal recalled. He mentioned that while he was desperately gripping the man's neck to stay safe, the perpetrator continued to laugh as others watched the scene unfold in shock. Reflecting on the aftermath, Chahal described the experience as feeling like a "second birth."
At the time of the incident, Chahal was in the nascent stages of his professional journey. He admitted that his youth and lack of experience left him uncertain about how to address the situation formally. Rather than pursuing a complaint, he chose to move past the event to focus on his cricketing aspirations. His career has since seen him become the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 233 scalps across 188 matches.
Following his successful tenure with the Mumbai Indians and a long stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chahal currently plays for the Punjab Kings. Despite his consistent domestic performances, including 12 wickets in 14 matches during the 2026 season, he has not represented India internationally since a T20I match against the West Indies in 2023. Having retired from first-class cricket, the 36-year-old remains determined to secure a place back in the national ODI and T20I squads.
The recollection of this incident provides a rare look at the off-field challenges faced by players during the early years of the league. While the identity of the person involved remains undisclosed, Chahal's account highlights the severity of the lapse in conduct that occurred during the 2013 season. As he looks toward his future in the sport, Chahal continues to maintain his focus on performance, putting the traumatic experience of his youth firmly in the past.
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