Ranji Trophy 2017/18 Final: I Gave Respect To Bowlers, Says Centurion, Dhruv Shorey

Dhruv Shorey was not a late starter in cricket, but he made his first-class debut only at the age of 23. He did not get a chance initially and finally got a chance in the 2015/16 season when he made his debut against Odisha.

Shorey had just made two centuries in the first-case cricket until today, and he shone for the side on a day when it mattered the most. He went on to score his third first-class century, and it came in the finals at the moment when Delhi needed someone to step up.

Shorey, who is batting at 123* at stumps, revealed the key to success on the day and said that he gave respect to the bowlers early on,

“So, I took my time initially, I gave respect to the bowlers, and after that, it was my session. The situation is not too bad. But we could have done better we lost two extra wickets. But still, we can revive and we do have a long tail,” he said after the end of day’s play.

Shorey walked in at number three in the very first over of the game when debutant Aditya Thakare dismissed kuna Chandela. Shorey took his time initially and slowly and steadily tried to stitch partnerships with Nitish Rana and Rishab Pant. The latter two, however, could not do much for the side and it was only when Himmat Singh came to the crease when Delhi got some reprieve.

Both Shorey and Himmat shared 105 runs for the fifth wicket and pulled out the team from a difficult situation.

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Apart from Shorey’s and Himmat’s innings, another highlight of the day was the way skipper Rishab Pant got out. He had already sent a message that he will play T20 cricket in the final and got out soon. Shorey though prevented his captain and said that a player couldn’t change his style of play immediately,

“We need to back our games. Rishabh and Himmat are natural stroke-makers, especially Rishabh. You can’t change your game immediately. Everyone has seen him play, I don’t need to say anything. Rishabh is a brilliant stroke-maker,” he added.

The final of the Ranji Trophy is evenly poised at the moment as Delhi are at a score of 271/6 at the end of day 1. If Delhi batsmen can add 100 more runs, then it will be a boon for the side while if Vidarbha bowlers can take rest of four wickets in the first hour, then they will hold an upper hand.

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Video of the day –