Yuzvendra Chahal Balcony Incident: 'Drunk Player' Unnamed for 2013 Ordeal, Not Andrew Symonds or James Franklin

The cricket world is once again revisiting the chilling account of Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who nearly lost his life after being dangled from a 15th-floor hotel balcony by a heavily intoxicated player during a post-match gathering in IPL 2013. Despite persistent social media rumours and past reports, Chahal has consistently withheld the name of the individual responsible for this terrifying incident, clarifying that it was neither Andrew Symonds nor James Franklin, who were involved in a separate, albeit also disturbing, bullying event in 2011. Jacques Kallis Birthday Special: Celebrating South Africa's Legendary All-Rounder As ICC Hall of Famer Turns 51.

Chahal, who was 23 years old at the time and playing for the Mumbai Indians, first publicly shared details of the 2013 ordeal in April 2022. He recounted being at a team get-together in Bengaluru when a very drunk player, whom he chose not to name, called him aside, took him outside, and hung him from the hotel's 15th-floor balcony.

"My hands were around him, like this (behind the neck). Had I lost my grip, I was on the 15th floor," Chahal revealed, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Thankfully, other individuals present quickly intervened, bringing the situation under control, and Chahal, who admitted to nearly fainting, was given water.

Dispelling Misconceptions

The ambiguity surrounding the player's identity for the 2013 balcony incident has led to widespread speculation, with names like former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds frequently emerging in social media discussions. However, it is crucial to distinguish this from another bullying incident Chahal described involving Symonds and former New Zealand pacer James Franklin.

In that separate event, which occurred during the 2011 Champions League T20 celebrations in Chennai, Symonds and Franklin allegedly tied Chahal's hands and legs, taped his mouth, and left him in a room overnight. While alarming, this incident is distinct in nature and timing from the near-fatal balcony episode in 2013. Durham County Cricket Club, Franklin's employer, initiated a private investigation into the 2011 allegations in April 2022. Punam Raut Retires: Star India Women Batter Announces Retirement From International Cricket.

Chahal's IPL Journey and Current Stint

Yuzvendra Chahal, born on July 23, 1990, is currently 36 years old. After his initial stint with the Mumbai Indians from 2011 to 2013, where the balcony incident occurred, he gained significant prominence during his long tenure with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2014 to 2021. He later moved to Rajasthan Royals (RR) from 2022 to 2024 and, as of the 2025 and 2026 seasons, is a key spinner for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of irresponsible behaviour, even within the confines of professional sports. While the identity of the player in the 2013 balcony incident remains officially under wraps by Chahal, the alarming details continue to resonate across the cricketing fraternity, prompting calls for greater accountability and player safety.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2026 10:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).