His stint with CSK will help his domestic season preparations, feels Dhruv Shorey

Delhi right-hand bat Dhruv Shorey wants to make the most of his learning during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he prepares for the domestic season. The 26-year-old displayed a good batting form across formats in the 2017-18 season and made his debut for the Super Kings in a game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Pune. It was the only game he played in IPL 11 and scored just eight but the experience he gained during his time with CSK was immense.

Shorey, one of the CSK’s eight uncapped domestic players picked this season, said he didn’t expect to play in the tournament initially but his decent batting display at the nets made the team management consider him and he made his debut in the blockbuster event in his first season itself. He termed it as a “great exposure” for him.

Dream come true

“It was a great feeling to play for CSK, a dream come true actually. It’s one of the best teams in the IPL,” CSK website quoted him as saying. The Super Kings, who made their return to the IPL after serving a two-year ban in 2016 and 2017, lifted their third title to draw level with the Mumbai Indians.

However, the CSK have a unique record of qualifying for the playoffs in each of the nine seasons they have participated since the inauguration of the tournament in 2008.

“I used to watch in awe how Mahi bhaiya (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) led the Indian team. Just to be a part of the team huddle with him was a great feeling, to see him prepare and moves in the crunch times gave me a lot to learn,” Shorey, who has played 18 first-class games since making debut in 2015 and scored 1,217 runs at an average of 55.31, said.

Shorey also had words of regard for CSK’s coach Stephen Fleming and batting coach Michael Hussey – both of whom had played for the side in the IPL earlier – to give him the necessary backing.

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