Ever since Shreyas Gopal returned to Karnataka after spending a year in Kerala, he has been a changed man. In Karnataka’s victorious 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy dash, Shreyas took 18 wickets — his second-best List A season, topped only by his 20 wickets in 2017-18.
In 2025-26, as the Southern powerhouse reached its first Ranji Trophy final since its 2014-15 triumph, Shreyas recorded his best campaign ever, starring with 48 scalps, the third-highest among all bowlers. There were two 10-wicket hauls — another first — and he bowled at an average of 23.14 against a career number of 28.17.
He shone with the bat too, scoring 469 runs — third-best in his 12 seasons — at an average of 33.50. His five half-centuries showed that his run-making was spread out and consistent.
At 32, Shreyas is seemingly at the peak of his prowess, and he spoke to The Hindu on the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy final, which Karnataka eventually lost to Jammu & Kashmir, in Hubballi. Excerpts:
Can you sum up the season?
Definitely one of my better seasons, with both bat and ball. It was very satisfying because performances turned into victories for the team. As a young player, you will want to do well and that will be the primary focus. But as you mature, you will understand how important winning is. I’m grateful that I have had a few trophies under my belt. A lot of the wickets, and a few good innings that I’ve played, have mattered a lot for the team. So I’m glad.
Detached desire: Shreyas says passion and hunger have kept him mentally sharp. It’s important to ‘attach yourself to the process’ and ‘detach from the result’, he insists.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
What has worked as a red-ball bowler for you?
I think the volume of bowling. People are seeing the wickets now, but the work I’ve put in in the last four years has given me success. You need it coming into a tournament like the Ranji Trophy. With the wickets [pitches] that we’re getting, where batters are scoring hundreds and double-hundreds in every other match, it is very hard to run through a side. You have to toil, be okay to bowl 35 overs to pick up five wickets, and come back to score a 50, and bowl another 35 overs. It is mental as well, where you need to convince yourself that this is what it takes to win tournaments and play for your country. I clearly want to do it and play the next level.
Your economy-rate this Ranji season was in the 2.70s [2.79]. For a wrist-spinner, it is all the more excellent. Did the volume you spoke about help? Your career number is close to 3.5 [3.44]…
Definitely. The number of overs I bowl post the IPL till the first Ranji Trophy match is pretty high. I almost reach about 300 overs, across practice matches and local tournaments, so that during Ranji, my body will not say: I am not prepared for this. There’s a good old saying that spinners mature late. I think you need to reach that age to understand why people say that.
Mentally, how have you stayed sharp?
It’s the passion and hunger. Sometimes, you’re too focused on the result and detach yourself from the process. But the more you can attach yourself to the process and stay as detached as possible from the result, it gives you a better chance of performing well and getting picked for the next level. That’s something that I’ve always tried doing.
Two stings to his bow: Shreyas wants to influence games with ball and bat. ‘You should be able to score 50 or 100, bat till the last wicket and then deliver 30-35 overs straight up,’ he says.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Did the shift away to Kerala in 2023-24 kindle a new fire?
It did a lot of good. As a professional player [from outside the State], you’re expected to do everything. There were times when I got a good score and wanted a bit of rest, but was told to immediately start bowling. But I’m saying this in a completely positive sense. You come out much tougher, mentally and physically. It gave me a second perspective as to what is actually expected of an all-rounder. You should be able to score 50 or 100, bat till the last wicket and then deliver a spell of 30-35 overs straight up. These things are spoken about very less. But every professional goes through it and that’s why a lot of them do really well when they come back to their States.
Can you talk about developing your bowling and batting in tandem, and how difficult it is to be someone who can be picked on either skill?
It’s very hard. Practice, in terms of volumes, is going to be a lot. Batters bat three-four times a week and same with bowlers. As an all-rounder, you have to do both. But when you look at it positively, it is a chance to make such a massive contribution. You have the best chance of making a team. I really want to continue doing that.
How do you see your role as a bowler across formats? The skill-sets are different…
I did more with the white ball in the previous seasons and now my red-ball bowling has come along well. So I’m excited. What I have been practising is probably working, but everyone has to keep getting better — in terms of strategy, execution, and variations.
You have played for India-A. What are your ambitions now?
I’m at the top of my game and definitely ready. It’s every player’s dream to represent their country, and I’m extremely patriotic and passionate about it. If and when that opportunity arises, I’m going to be extremely grateful and do my absolute best.
Is it an advantage that there aren’t many leg-spinning red-ball options at the national level?
I have not thought of it like that. I’m just trying to put in my best performances. If I can do that, I’m sure the opportunity will arise and space will be created.
You weren’t part of the IPL in 2023. But this season comes at a very good time in your career, and Chennai Super Kings has always valued spinners. How are you looking ahead?
I was a little upset when I missed out on the IPL. But I wanted to come out hard, hungry and determined because I had to put in exceptional performances. I think I have done it so far. I’m happy with those hours, days and months of practice, often behind closed doors, with no one watching.
They called me back to Karnataka [in 2024], and from there, to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy and now play in a Ranji Trophy final… it has been a lot of hard work and I’m glad it’s paying off. I’m also very grateful to both Mumbai Indians [in 2024] and CSK for giving me the opportunity to show that I can play all formats. We have some of the best minds in the sport. To learn from some of these legends will be phenomenal.
You have played just seven IPL matches starting 2021. How eager are you to prove that you belong?
Team combinations mean that sometimes you miss out. That’s part of franchise cricket and being in the best T20 league. But this time, if I get a game, I am going to give everything I have. Hopefully it turns into victories and victories into trophies.
Published – March 14, 2026 12:01 am IST
