Shreyas Gopal’s First-Class journey reaches 100-game milestone

Veteran domestic cricketer Shreyas Gopal completed his 100th First-Class appearance in the Duleep Trophy final, calling the milestone “surreal” and a proud moment. Gopal reflected on his career, the challenges of domestic cricket and the importance of discipline and perseverance

Chennai: India’s veteran domestic cricketer Shreyas Gopal reached a significant milestone by playing his 100th First-Class game in the Duleep Trophy final between South Zone and East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, describing the moment as “surreal”.

Shreyas, who has been a vital cog for Karnataka in domestic cricket, reflected on reaching the milestone, calling it a “very happy and proud feeling” in his career.

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“It’s pretty surreal to play a 100th First-Class game, and the Duleep Trophy final makes it even more special,” Shreyas said in a video shared by BCCI Domestic on social media.

“Growing up as a kid, you dream of playing a few games for your state, but you don’t really dream about playing your 100th, so that’s a special feeling.”

During his career, Shreyas has experienced both success and challenges since making his First-Class debut in 2013.

“So many memories over the last few years that I’ve had — good, sour, upsetting, happy — it’s a very mixed feeling, but to stand here and to be playing my 100th game is a very happy and proud feeling,” he said.

“It’s been a good grind over the last few years, as I said. On Indian wickets, it’s some tough conditions that you’ve played on, and you really have to put in a lot of effort to get something off it.”

Shreyas began his career with Karnataka and helped the state win the Ranji Trophy in the 2013-14 season, taking 22 wickets. He later moved to Kerala for the 2023-24 season before returning to Karnataka and helping them win the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2024-25 season.

“When you come into First-Class cricket, one of the things that I was told as a kid was, ‘Playing First-Class cricket is not the thing to be able to last for that many years; it’s going to be the hardest thing.’ Now that I’m standing on this side, I understand why they said that. It has been challenging, but it’s also been very rewarding at the same time.”

“The biggest thing it’s taught me is discipline and perseverance, without which you won’t be able to play too many games. I want to dedicate it (100th game milestone) to my family, my parents and my wife, and definitely some of my very close friends, and the fans and people who have supported me right through my journey,” Shreyas concluded.