‘I can’t be stuck there’ – Dhruv Shorey on being overlooked despite consistent domestic performances

Dhruv Shorey has spent several years establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers in Indian domestic cricket. The right-handed batter has amassed 5,455 runs in 77 first-class matches at an average of 48.70, including 15 centuries and 24 fifties. He has also been prolific in List A cricket, scoring 3,227 runs in 81 matches at an average of 44.81.

Despite those numbers, Shorey has had limited opportunities at the highest level. His IPL career has consisted of just two appearances for Chennai Super Kings across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, while his consistent domestic performances have not yet translated into an India call-up.

The batter, however, continues to remain motivated by the same goal that has driven him since the beginning of his career – representing India. Shorey has also opened up on the challenges of being overlooked despite performing consistently, while acknowledging the growing impact of the IPL on a player’s visibility and selection prospects.

During a candid conversation with CricTracker, Shorey spoke about his motivation to keep pushing in domestic cricket, the importance of an IPL contract, his run of five consecutive centuries, and why he does not dwell on other players getting opportunities ahead of him.

Excerpts from the interview

What keeps you motivated after so many years in domestic cricket? How do you handle the disappointment of not getting regular opportunities at higher levels despite consistent performances?

“You know, motivation is just one. You know, since the time I’ve been playing, it’s to play for India. It’s to play for the country. That’s what’s kept me motivated and kept me going. Yes, you know, sometimes you do get disappointed, you know, that things are not going actually according to your plan. You know, you’re not being considered, you know, properly. You feel that but, you know, one thing is there. You have to keep going because I love playing. I love batting and the biggest motivation is to play for the country and it’s still very much alive in me. So, you know, that’s what kept me going. The love for batting and just to this that, you know, hope to make it a big or in the Indian team.”

Do you feel domestic cricket gets enough respect in India compared to the IPL? 

“You know, we can’t compare it actually because, you know, it’s the biggest league in the world. It’s a global league. IPL is the biggest league, you know, which is happening right now in the world and domestic cricket is something very different and, you know, it’s happening in India. But yeah, you know, people are being picked on domestic cricket. But yes, if you have an IPL contract, if you have some opportunities in the IPL, it does make a lot of difference. You know, it highlights your domestic performances as well. So, I guess, you know, being in the IPL, it makes a lot of difference.”

Five consecutive centuries is an extraordinary feat. Have you received any communication from the Indian selection committee after achieving this feat?

“You know, not really. I haven’t received any communication.I haven’t received any message or something like that. And we won the Vijay Zardar trophy last year. You know, yes, I didn’t play the finals. But yeah, I had a really, really good run. And past two years, actually, I’ve been in the top five of the Vijay Zardar trophy in India, the run getters. So, I’ve been doing well. You know, I didn’t get any message or any contact from any selector. So, that’s what I feel, you know. This is where the IPL contract also comes in sometimes. You know, if you are there in the circuit, so maybe you’re a little more highlighted, and then you get an opportunity somewhere.”

Do you think IPL has become the only criterion for the Indian team selection?

“No, I don’t think that. But yes, you know, again, what I, like I said earlier, it’s a global event. It’s the biggest T20 league in the world. It has an impact, you know, someone doing well there, you know, proving them there. It does have an impact on the selection. But, you know, someone like Sarfaraz Khan or Saransh Jain, they’ve been, they’ve played for the country through domestic cricket as well. Only through domestic cricket. So, I think, you know, domestic cricket is valued.  But yes, if you have an IPL contract, it does help. It does help a lot.”

How do you feel when you’re competing in domestic cricket and are the top scorer, but you still don’t get selected, while someone you believe is less deserving gets the opportunity? How difficult is that moment for a player?

“See, less deserving, we are nobody to say. You know, it’s a very long journey that I have made and I still want to continue. But these things in cricket, because it’s such a big sport in India, it will continue as long as you play. Someone is not good, someone is good. Someone is very good, they didn’t get any chances. They have better records than me, they didn’t get any chances. So, I can’t think that, you know, now that’s not how I can think. Because I know people, you know, obviously, you know, you want to play everything. You have to be in that circuit. You want to be in that. But I can’t, you know, be stuck there.”

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