‘Virat Kohli is UNMATCHABLE in what he has done for the country’, says star cricketer Dhruv Shorey

Vidarbha opener Dhruv Shorey, who scored hat-trick of centuries, in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 opens up in an exclusive interview about his red-hot form and his cricketing idols.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 was dominated by the one cricketer – Karun Nair – who averaged a whopping 389.5 but it was his teammate in Vidarbha who ended up with a hat-trick of centuries in the three knockout matches. While Nair failed in the crucial VHT 2025 final clash against Karnataka, opener Dhruv Shorey carried the fight keep his side in the hunt chasing a massive total.

Former Delhi Ranji Trophy captain Dhruv Shorey hammered 498 runs in 8 matches in VHT 2025 with 3 hundreds and one fifty and all of the tons coming in the quarterfinal, semifinal and the final. Shorey, who was the teammate of current Team India coach Gautam Gambhir and former India captain Virat Kohli till 2023, has been part of Vidarbha team over the last few years.

Dhruv Shorey spoke to India.com English exclusively talking about his three successive centuries, disappointment of missing out on IPL bid and his cricketing idols. Excerpts from an exclusive interview…

What was the mindset and the preparation that went into this season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as other white-ball cricket apart from the Ranji Trophy season?

DS: See, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, we did prepare very well and in the league phase, I was batting very well. I was hitting the ball very well but I didn’t convert a couple of starts. So the plan for the knockouts were obviously to bat long and just hang in there. And luckily, it paid off at the right time.

How satisfying is it to score so many runs in 50-over cricket and answering your critics back that you are an all-format batter?

DS: I never typecast myself as a red-ball player. I’ve done well in the white-ball also. I’ve been a part of one of the best teams in the world for the IPL also (Chennai Super Kings). I’ve been a part of CSK also for two years.

So I’ve never typecast myself. And to do well in the white-ball cricket and 50-over game, it is satisfying obviously. And just doing it for your team and doing it for the winning cause, it is satisfying.

How difficult was it for you to leave Delhi and shift to Vidarbha?

DS: I had to move on from that. So obviously, if you leave your home state and go abroad, there are new responsibilities, new travel and new place to play. I had played for Delhi for 9-10 years.

So it was a little difficult. But you know, as a professional, you have to move on. And you have to adapt to every situation. I’m happy it’s getting paid off and I’m doing well for Vidarbha.

There was a lot of talk this season, obviously, about your teammate Karun Nair. But you have also quietly performed for Vidarbha.

DS: It’s been a good season. As a team, it has been a very good season. We have reached the finals also.

And as an individual also, I’ve done well. You know, I’ve performed where it mattered the most – the big stages. I didn’t convert those two or three starts in the league stages. But I came into the knockouts and it was a big game. I was much better in the knockouts. I was more determined, actually, to do well in the knockouts also.

After this, what are your plans now? What are your plans before the next domestic season starts?

DS: Actually, I haven’t made that much of a plan yet. Because we have a major part of the Ranji Trophy left. We have two league games and two knockouts. So, right now, the plan is to win the Ranji Trophy with Vidarbha.

Was it disappointing not being picked by any of the teams at the IPL 2025 mega auction?

DS: I mean, obviously, everyone has an aspiration to play for the IPL. But if you are not picked, you have to move on. That is what professional sport is. You can’t be disappointed for long and sit and whine about it.

Will you be looking at any stint with any English county team?

DS: Yes, if there is a good opportunity after the Ranji Trophy for the English county cricket or even the minor county. I don’t know about the club cricket. So, obviously, I will go. If I get such an opportunity, if I approach someone from the team and I get the opportunity, for sure, I will go.

Who do you consider your idol in cricket?

DS: See, idol is Sachin Tendulkar, obviously. I have been watching him since childhood. We have been just watching him from day one. And we can’t bat like him but the way he has worked, his discipline and everything. I have been idolizing him.

What about anyone in Delhi cricket or Vidarbha?

DS: I have been looking up to Wasim Jaffer also. He has played for Vidarbha for so long. And I have been very lucky that I have played with a lot of legends in the Delhi league. Be it Gautam bhaiya (Gautam Gambhir), be it Ashish bhaiya (Ashish Nehra), be it any domestic stalwart.

And we have been watching Virat Kohli for so long. He is from Delhi and he is unmatchable in what he has done for the country also.

After coming to Vidarbha, who have you got a lot of support from?

DS: Vidarbha has a very good cricketing culture. And I am really enjoying playing for Vidarbha. Even our president and coaching staff have been really good. Our seniors were very good actually. So, now, our coaching staff and our president have been very supportive of the cricketing activities that are happening. And the atmosphere here is also very nice.

How do you like to relax when you are not playing cricket?

DS: I like to travel and road around. I like to leave the city once in a while and just be with the family. Obviously, I have shifted as a professional. So, whenever I get some time at home, I like that.

I like to stay at home, be with my family and just go out somewhere.