7 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : South Zone leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal said he wanted to prove that wrist-spinners can enjoy long and successful careers in red-ball cricket as he completed his 100th first-class appearance during the Duleep Trophy final.
The 33-year-old Karnataka all-rounder said he had put in years of work on his bowling to establish himself as a reliable option in the longer format.
A Major First-Class Milestone
Gopal reached the landmark during the Duleep Trophy final between South Zone and East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
He said reaching 100 first-class matches was a special achievement and credited the opportunity to continue playing domestic cricket as an important part of his journey.
‘Leggies Can Play Red-Ball Cricket’
Gopal said he had been told that relatively few leg-spinners manage to play 30 to 50 first-class matches, motivating him to demonstrate that wrist-spin can succeed over a sustained red-ball career.
He added that he had worked particularly hard on his bowling over the years, having grown up primarily as a batsman.
A Breakthrough Ranji Trophy Season
Gopal’s belief is backed by a strong 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.
He finished with 48 wickets and 469 runs, playing an important role as Karnataka reached the Ranji Trophy final. His performances helped revive his red-ball career after his return to Karnataka following a stint with Kerala.
Tactical Growth Has Been Key
According to Gopal, his improvement has not been about making dramatic technical changes.
Instead, he has focused on using the crease better, reading match situations and knowing when to attack or defend.
He acknowledged that not every plan works, but said having a clear tactical approach gives him direction on the field.
A Difficult Day in the Duleep Trophy Final
Gopal’s 100th first-class game was not particularly productive with the ball.
He finished the opening day with figures of 0 for 77 from 19 overs, but stressed the importance of maintaining emotional balance when things do not go according to plan.
Experience With MS Dhoni
Gopal also credited his time with MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings for helping him develop tactically.
He said the questions he asked Dhoni over the past two years and the experience of working with CSK influenced some of the decisions he made while captaining Mangaluru Dragons to the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 title last year.
Staying Neutral Through Success and Failure
Gopal emphasised the importance of not becoming overly excited after success or overly disappointed after a poor performance.
He said maintaining emotional equilibrium allows a player to continue working with the same intensity regardless of the outcome.
Red-Ball Cricket Still Has a Place for Leg-Spin
Gopal’s comments also highlight the challenge faced by wrist-spinners in longer-format cricket.
While finger spin is often considered more economical and reliable over long spells, a quality leg-spinner can provide wicket-taking options and create breakthroughs when conditions or match situations demand attacking bowling.
A Career Built on Persistence
From being primarily regarded as a batting prospect early in his career to developing into a successful spin-bowling all-rounder, Gopal’s journey has involved years of adaptation.
His 100th first-class appearance represents both longevity and the sustained effort required to remain relevant in domestic cricket.