Shreyas Gopal: Rising to prominence with steely resolve

The 2011 World Cup kindles fond memories for most of us. MS Dhoni's soaring six, the celebrations thereafter, Sachin Tendulkar's victory parade - there are moments aplenty that bring a smile on our faces. But for one gawky teenager growing up in Bangalore, that year's World Cup was a watershed moment. And it had nothing to do with India's victory.

Shreyas Gopal was all of 17 when called up as a net bowler at the Australian camp in Bangalore during the 2011 World Cup. "They were hitting me all over the place," recalls the Mumbai Indians and Karnataka all-rounder. "Either I lacked that experience or something, even if I felt it was a good ball, they were able to hit it easily".

Little did Gopal know back then that just a few years later, he'd be rubbing shoulders with some of the Australians he'd bowled to in the nets. In 2014, when Mumbai Indians picked him, he got to be on the same side as Mike Hussey. "I remember telling him I was a net bowler and I am now your teammate," says Gopal. "Although he didn't remember, I told him I bowled to him and how special that moment was for me".

Gopal has taken rapid strides. But success hasn't come overnight. Instead, he has progressed through the ranks. A regular in junior cricket, Gopal has represented Karnataka across all the possible age-group formats before donning the India-19 cap. But the growth hasn't been seamless.

"There were lots of challenges. The difference between U-13,U-15 U-19 was big. Then the gap between U-19 and U-25 was bigger. They are not going to give away wickets easily. The challenge kept us on our toes and we could never relax," says Gopal.

As a teenager, he was a middle-order batsman who could bowl spin. And despite his strong performances in junior cricket, a Ranji call up at age 20 seemed farfetched. "Breaking into the Ranji team in any year isn't easy at all. I really didn't expect it at that time. (But) things really went my way and it paid off. I am really happy about that," recalls Gopal.

His debut season was a fairytale. He assumed the role of a lead spinner enroute to taking 22 wickets at an average of 18.22. The icing on the cake was the fact that Karnataka won a treble in the 2013-14 by clinching the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Irani Trophy.

"Coming into Ranji and then winning it twice, I don't think it's ever happened before. There were 6 debutants that season," says the Bangalorean. "All dream of playing Ranji, but winning it was a dream come true."

In elite company

Soon enough, IPL beckoned and when Mumbai Indians bought him for INR 10 lakhs, he was in elite company. "We have a good team, sharing experiences is great in the team. We interact so much with them."

Speaking of the stalwarts in the team, Gopal holds Rohit Sharma in high regard. "When I first got to the team, I thought he was a quite person. But I later found out that he's really cool and approachable. And he is flawless in his batting, so smooth and a treat to the eye."

And while the presence of seniors is awe inspiring, there's no time to sit back, watch and admire. Gopal is quick to mention how they had to hop about in Jonty Rhodes' presence. "He is really fit even now. His training and fielding sessions aren't easy. I can imagine how his fielding sessions during his days must have been."

Speaking of captains, Gopal is all praise for Karnataka captain Vinay Kumar. "VK is an aggressive captain and leads by example. He sets a benchmark for all of us to follow. It's a great way of leading and his mindset and way of thinking is very positive. His aggression shows in his bowling, batting and fielding as well."

And there is one other VK that Gopal can't resist mentioning - Virat Kohli. "Some say he can be harsh, but having played and interacted with him for India-A, I can tell you that he's a really nice and humble person," says the leg-spinning all-rounder.

Looking ahead

Having achieved remarkable success in domestic cricket, what's in store for Gopal next? "Everyone dreams of playing for the country, but I would like to concentrate on the present. I don't want to think too much ahead and what's in store. Just want to focus on the present."

And it is this level-headed approach that you come to admire about the young man. Domestic silverware and the glamour of IPL notwithstanding, Gopal has blinders on as he trains with a single minded vision. That said, what does he do when not playing cricket? "We are all cheering and watching the Indian team play. Also, most of us love watching movies, spending time with family and friends. We don't get much time when traveling, so when we get break, we catch up on all the movies."

From copying Kumble's bowling action and taking a double hat-trick in schools cricket to being able to carve a niche for himself in the crowded domestic arena, Shreyas Gopal has well truly come a long way. Not bad, you'd think, for a kid who once dabbled with roller-skating and badminton before images of Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid lured him over to cricket.

Shreyas Gopal is surely one that's been earmarked for success and his career will be watched closely by well wishers and pundits alike.