Yuzvendra Chahal Reveals Australian Cricketer Who Hung Him From Hotel Balcony in IPL 2013

India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed further details of the frightening incident in which an intoxicated Australian cricketer hung him over a hotel balcony during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL), clarifying that neither Andrew Symonds nor James Franklin was involved.

Chahal, who was playing for Mumbai Indians at the time, recalled the incident during an appearance on former India opener Aakash Chopra's podcast. The episode first came to public attention in 2022, when the leg-spinner disclosed that a drunk cricketer had dangled him from the 15th floor of a hotel.

Over the years, speculation had linked the incident to the late Australian all-rounder Symonds. Chahal has now clarified that the individual was another Australian cricketer, although he did not reveal the player's name.

Yuzvendra Chahal Recalls Terrifying Hotel Balcony Incident

Chahal said the incident took place after a party hosted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru. Although he was representing Mumbai Indians, he attended the gathering, where he encountered an Australian player who was heavily intoxicated.

"There was a party in Bengaluru hosted by RCB. I was playing for MI at the time. I also went there and saw a guy who was heavily drunk. He was well-built and very strong. He was from Australia, but he was neither Symonds nor Franklin, rather some other guy," Chahal said.

The leg-spinner recalled that the cricketer initially appeared to be joking before lifting him and hanging him over the balcony. Chahal said he was left clinging to the player's neck as the situation became increasingly dangerous.

"He called me over and then lifted me into the air. At first, I thought he was joking, but then he hung me over the balcony, and I was just holding on to his neck," he added.

'For Me, It Felt Like a Second Birth'

Chahal said he was terrified as the intoxicated player held him over the balcony, with the other people in the room eventually intervening to pull him back to safety.

"I was terrified. He was heavily drunk, and everyone in the room was stunned. Suddenly, everyone intervened and pulled me back up. That guy was laughing, but for me, it felt like a second birth. I think it was on the 15th or 16th floor of the hotel," Chahal recalled.

The spinner also admitted that he was young and naive at the time and did not know how to lodge a formal complaint. He eventually decided to move on from the episode and concentrate on his cricket career.

Yuzvendra Chahal's India and IPL Career

Chahal, the IPL's leading wicket-taker with 233 wickets in 188 matches, began his tournament career with Mumbai Indians in 2013 before establishing himself as a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he spent eight seasons.

He currently represents Punjab Kings in the IPL. During the 2026 season, he featured in 14 matches and claimed 12 wickets.

The 36-year-old has been out of favour with the Indian selectors in recent years, with his last international appearance coming in a T20I against the West Indies in 2023. Although he has retired from first-class cricket, Chahal continues to hope for a return to India's ODI and T20I teams.