from karnataka Shreyas Gopal He has performed consistently well in domestic cricket, even if he has not been able to replicate the same level of impact in the Indian Premier League. Despite this, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Gopal's work ethic, recalling how the leg spinner was always eager to learn and constantly asked questions during net sessions with Chennai Super Kings in 2025.
Gopal was part of the five-time champion team last season, but CSK preferred Afghanistan's Noor Ahmed as their primary wrist spinner. However, in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, Gopal has been in exceptional form. He has taken 27 wickets in just five matches at an impressive average of 17.51.
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “I want to talk about Shreyas Gopal's performance. I have a name for him – Wicket Gopal. A spinner matures with age. I watched him closely last year. He has worked a lot on his bowling. He dismissed AB and Virat Kohli with googlies and gained fame. Now he has also started leg-breaks. I watched the CSK net. He works constantly, is very keen and questions. Also ask.”
“I'm sure he was disappointed at the end of the season that he didn't get any game time. I don't know whether they will play two wrist spinners this time and rely on Gopal, but the way he bowled in the Maharaja Trophy, he took wickets when he needed them. Obviously, he doesn't have the strength in T20 cricket, but he is a very useful cricketer, a very good fielder as well. I don't know how much they will use him, but he is an example of what a spinner can do. Can mature with age, so it's a good time for Gopal and CSK.
Gopal will now turn his focus to white-ball cricket as Karnataka looks to advance in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2025. Since the 32-year-old has been retained by CSK ahead of IPL 2026, he will look to hone his craft in all departments in the premier domestic T20 competition and help Karnataka win the trophy, and later do the same for his IPL team.
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