Hrithik Shokeen’s Long Way Back: Back Injury, Faith in Delhi and a Girl in Five

The Delhi-Gujarat Ranji Trophy match at Palam B was a long exercise in patience. Delhi amassed 648 for six declared after winning the toss, but the flat pitch directly made the result difficult. They settled for three points after bowling Gujarat out for 479 to secure a first innings lead of 169 runs after spending 174.1 overs in the field. Delhi forced a follow-on in the hope of quick breakthroughs, but when Gujarat reached 15 in every eighth over by the scheduled tea break, both teams agreed to call it a day.

Hrithik Shokeen bowled 53 overs in Gujarat’s first innings. By the time he came out to address the press, the Delhi off-spinner had changed into a black T-shirt after a long stint on a surface that did little to help the bowlers.

He had five wickets for his efforts. Shokeen finished with figures of five for 143, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. It was an important moment for the pitcher, whose progress was interrupted by a stress fracture in his lower back.

“Obviously, it’s my first five-wicket haul, so it’s very special. I’ll try to continue this kind of performance in the future,” Shokeen told reporters at the Palam ground.

The pitch was slow and flat, leaving little room for the bowlers to attack. Shokeen said Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya asked the spinners to continue bowling in the same area and wait for the batsmen to make a mistake.

“It was a bit of a slow and flat track. We tried to bowl consistently in one area. Our coach Vijay Sir told us to keep bowling in the same spot and that’s what helped me get the result,” he said.

Shokeen was careful not to stress the conditions too much, though he admitted that the long spells tested Delhi’s bowlers.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve found any wicket particularly difficult so far. But yes, it was a tough wicket for us as you saw, a lot of runs were scored. I wouldn’t say it was the hardest wicket of my life.”

STRESS FRACTURE AND CHANGE OF APPROACH

Shokeen made his First Class debut against Assam in December 2022. He has since played 17 First Class matches in five seasons, including an appearance for India C against India D in the 2024 Duleep Trophy. He has played only twice in each of the last two Ranji Trophy campaigns.

The setback was a stress fracture in his back sustained after playing one-day cricket last year. But it was clear to Shokeen that he never felt any lack of support from Delhi.

“I don’t know if you are aware but last year I got injured after playing one-day cricket. I suffered a stress fracture in my back. So I don’t think lack of playing time was a problem. Delhi have always supported me and supported me. Ever since I started playing, I have always received support from them,” he said.

“I’m a little behind with the injury, but that’s okay. Now I’m going to work on moving forward.”

The injury also made him take a closer look at his bowling action. Shokeen said even his physio had pointed out how unusual it was for a spinner to suffer a stress fracture in his back.

“Yes, even my physio told me that it was quite an unusual injury for a spinner. Because of this injury, I worked a lot on my bowling action, especially the set-up and follow-through. That helped me improve,” he said.

He doesn’t describe the changes as a complete overhaul of his event. Instead, he worked on specific aspects with the help of Dahiya.

Shokeen has only made 12 appearances across formats since December 2024. After spending so much time away from normal cricket, his priority is to make the most of the chances he gets.

A LONG DAY FOR DELHI’S BOWLER

Hrithik Shokeen (PTI Photo)

Delhi had a 169-run lead in the first innings but decided to push for the follow-on rather than settle for a draw. They believed that a couple of early wickets could put Gujarat under pressure.

Shokeen struck early on the fourth morning and dismissed overnight batsman Manan Hingraj to leave Gujarat on 385 for six. But captain Chintan Gaja, who scored 41 on day three, went on to make 82 and helped the lower order keep Delhi in the field.

The pitch offered less as the match progressed and the prospect of a clear result faded away. Gujarat were 15 for one after eight overs in their second innings when the teams shook hands at tea. Delhi got three points after losing their opening round match against Bengal.

Shokeen said Delhi hoped to act soon after the follow-up was enforced.

“Our plan was to push on and try to get a result. We felt that if we got even two wickets in the first 10 overs we would back off to chase them out. But as the match progressed the wicket started to behave differently and was slower so we felt it would be difficult to get a result,” he said.

On a flat pitch, he explained, bowlers had to rely on accuracy and changes of pace.

“On a flat wicket, you have to bowl more consistently in one area and you have to change the pace, play slower and faster. As you mentioned, the captain and I kept discussing what we could do better on this wicket,” he said.

Shokeen also spoke about the partnership he built with fellow spinner Sumit Mathur. Their plan was to keep the pressure on rather than chasing wickets with deliveries that could be hit for runs.

“Bowling is always about partnership, whether you are a fast bowler or any other type of bowler. Sumit and I planned to keep bowling in the same area. We felt that if we kept bowling in one place, the batsman would eventually make a mistake, which would give us a chance to get a wicket,” he said.

NO LABELS, JUST ANOTHER CHANCE

Shokeen made his T20 debut for Mumbai Indians in the 2022 IPL but does not see himself as a bowler suited to just one format.

Asked if he was concerned about being branded a white-ball bowler, he said the format shouldn’t define a player.

“I don’t think so. I don’t believe there is only one type of bowler or one type of batsman. You just have to try to give your best in whatever format you play,” he said.

He has little control over selection, he added, preferring to focus on what he can do when selected.

“Being in or out of the team is not in my hands. Whenever I play, I try to give my best. I have done it whenever I have played before and I will continue to give my best whenever I play in the future,” he said.

WHY DELHI NEEDS ITS GROUNDS BACK

Delhi have struggled to settle on a consistent spin combination in recent Ranji Trophy seasons. Shokeen’s limited number of games is part of that bigger picture and he believes the support from the coach can make a difference.

He said Dahiya talked to him about the team’s problems with the carousel and told him she believed Shokeen could do well.

“He also told me that our spinners have not done well in the last few years but he believes that I will do well. I think that kind of support is very important in a player’s career. Vijay Sir has supported me and hopefully I have got a result today. I hope I will continue to do well in the future,” he said.

Delhi need to give their spinners time to settle. Shokeen’s five-wicket haul is a good start, but one performance won’t solve the team’s problems. It now depends on whether he and the other spinners play matches regularly to prove themselves.

Shokeen doesn’t look too far ahead. His next match is against Jharkhand and that is where his focus is.

“My next match is against Jharkhand and that’s what I’m concentrating on. I prefer to think about the next match rather than setting too many targets,” he said.

For Shokeen, the five is something to build on after injury interrupted his progress. He wants to keep playing and performing. Delhi now have to decide how much faith they are willing to put in their spinners.

– The end