BackIndia spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has finally opened up about the frightening incident during IPL 2013 when he was reportedly left hanging from a hotel balcony. At the time, Chahal was representing the Mumbai Indians.
Speaking to Aakash Chopra, the leg-spinner recalled how a cricketer under the influence of alcohol held him over the edge of a balcony on the 15th floor. Several reports had linked former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds to the incident, but Chahal has dismissed those claims.
During the podcast, Yuzvendra Chahal confirmed that he had been held upside down over the edge of a balcony on the 15th floor. However he denied that either Andrew Symonds or James Franklin was involved in the incident. He also revealed that another Australian cricketer was responsible for the frightening episode.
Yuzvendra Chahal recalled that the incident took place at a party hosted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the city, when he was playing for Mumbai Indians. He said he noticed a heavily intoxicated Australian cricketer who appeared physically strong. However, he clarified that the individual was neither Andrew Symonds nor James Franklin.
According to Chahal, the player called him over and suddenly lifted him off the ground. Initially, the spinner assumed it was a joke, but the situation took a frightening turn when the cricketer held him over the balcony railing. Chahal said he was left dangling in the air desperately holding on to the man’s neck.
Yuzvendra Chahal added that he was terrified as the intoxicated cricketer continued laughing while everyone present panicked over the dangerous situation. The others rushed to his aid and pulled him back to safety. He described the experience as getting a second chance at life, estimating that the incident took place on the 15th or 16th floor of the hotel.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been out of the Indian national team for nearly three years having last represented the country against the West Indies in 2023. He recently announced his retirement from first-class cricket but remains determined to earn another opportunity in India’s ODI and T20I sides. The leg-spinner has continued to perform consistently in the IPL and was part of the Punjab Kings squad during the 2026 season.
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