IPL 2024 Auction: "They Made Right Decision" - Chetan Sakariya's Blunt Take On Delhi Capitals Releasing Him 

Indian pacer Chetan Sakriya expressed his disappointment after being released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He said that he wasn’t shocked by the team’s decision and hopes to learn from his new teammates now.

Chetan Sakariya was amongst the unlucky names that were released by Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The left-arm pacer didn’t have the kind of season he would’ve wanted and hence was released by the team.

Chetan Sakariya didn’t get many opportunities for the team last season due to other bowling options in the team. The left-arm pacer played just two games in the IPL 2023 and picked three wickets. He, however, failed to stop runs and was expensive as he had an economy of 11.3.

The economy no doubt would’ve been better had he got more opportunities but with the the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed in the squad, he couldn’t get a consistent run. It’s fair to say that with plenty of Indian pacers in the team, him getting released was on the cards.

Chetan Sakariya admitted that Delhi Capitals made the right decision to release him because he didn’t perform well for the team. He accepted that he was last in the pecking order and also didn’t do justice to his price tag. Speaking to Sportskeeda, he explained:

“I wasn’t shocked but I was a bit disappointed. But from the team’s perspective, they made the right decision. I wasn’t able to perform at the level that was expected from me. Maybe I didn’t do justice to my price tag. They already have several Indian options in Ishant (Sharma) Bhai, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Bhai. After I didn’t hit the ground running, I naturally went back in the pecking order.”

Chetan Sakariya revealed that during his stint with Delhi Capitals, he learned a lot from Mustafizur Rahman. He said that he was left amazed by the the way Bangladesh pacer thinks about the game. He elaborated:

“I used to speak a lot with Mustafizur Bhai and he used to guide me a lot about how to plan each delivery and how to make full use of the field placements. It just mesmerized me as to just how much a bowler can think about adjusting the field and helped me in my game. I hope I get to learn a lot from Mitchell Starc tol and add a lot more to my armoury.”

IPL 2024: I just wanted to go to a team where I would get game time – Chetan Sakariya on getting picked by KKR

After being released by Delhi Capitals, Chetan Sakariya found a new team as he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 auction. The left-arm pacer was brought by the franchise for the INR ₹50 lakhs. It would be a great opportunity for him as he will be sharing the dressing room with fellow left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.

Chetan Sakariya said that during the auction he had only one wish that whoever picked him gives him consistent opportunities to play. He added that money doesn’t matter to him as he wants game time. He explained:

“When the auction was going on, I just had one wish in my mind that I would want to get picked where I would get maximum opportunities to play. Of course I will have to perform well that’s always a given. I just wanted gametime felt there were only two teams who were looking to fill their slots in the bowling department and KKR was one of them. The money didn’t matter, I just wanted to go to a team where I would get gametime.”

Chetan Sakariya has played 19 games in the IPL, playing for Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. He has picked 20 wickets in the league so far at an economy of just over 8. He has been out of action for a while due to injury and would be hoping to make a strong comeback in IPL.