Suryansh Shedge wants to be the go-to all-rounder his team can turn to when a game is on the line.
His recent outing for India ‘A’ against Australia ‘A’ offered encouragement; the Mumbai youngster scored 79 runs, including a 60-ball 66, and took five wickets in the three-match unofficial ODI series.
A possible maiden ODI call-up for the New Zealand tour is now a talking point, but Shedge’s immediate focus is Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy fixture against Himachal Pradesh, beginning here on Sunday.
“It has all been about progress. I got certain windows where I was able to work on my skills and mentality at the CoE, back home. I spoke to a lot of senior players and coaches,” he told Sportstar.
The emphasis has been on preparation and arriving at match day confident in the work he has put in. “It all comes down to how you’re feeling when game day arrives. If you’re feeling confident and feel like you’ve done everything you could, then there will be no doubts. That’s what I’ve tried to do. Now that the season has begun, I’ve just done whatever is needed. Before that, I did a lot of volume. Now, it’s all about tapering it down and doing what you need to do,” he said.
His India call-up gave him an opportunity to sharpen his bowling, particularly his understanding of match situations. Hardik Pandya was among those he approached for advice, alongside his coaches at the Centre of Excellence.
“It was mainly about game sense, understanding the situation and making certain tweaks that give you an edge in different kinds of situations. It was especially about bowling, how I can become a better bowler mentally, and, obviously, some technical skill work that needed to be done,” he said.
“I spoke to Hardik bhai, my bowling coach and Jatin (Paranjpe) Sir. I also spoke to the coaches at the CoE. We came to a conclusion, and I think it’s always trial and error. There’s no set method or set plan. You need to try things and then see if they suit you…” he said.
He did so, ever since making his debut for India. Now, Shedge wants to take on greater responsibility in both departments, with the aim of becoming a player his team can depend on rather than one who merely provides support.
ALSO READ: Luhnu, where Kohli once played, prepares for Ranji Trophy return after a decade
“Obviously, this season, whatever opportunities I get, whether bowling or batting, I want to perform with the same intensity and attitude. So, if I’m bowling, I’m a bowler; if I’m batting, I’m a batter,” he said, adding: “I want to take it to another level where I’m the strike bowler and the go-to batter. If that is your mentality and you’re in constant pursuit of greatness, you will end up going deep inside.”
Away from the field, Shedge has relied on a habit he developed as a child: writing his thoughts down in a diary. “Basically, the process has remained the same since I was a child. I’ve been writing things down on certain occasions when I felt I needed to be hard on myself. I’ve penned them down so that, after I write them, my thoughts exit with that pen, and I’m not able to think about all those thoughts anymore.
“It’s only natural to look at things from a negative perspective sometimes, but you can’t linger in that frame of mind. You need to pull yourself out of it. I think doing that helps you get out of it quicker.”
He has also taken a simple lesson from senior cricketers, one that he believes can make the difference between dwelling on a setback and moving forward.
“I think every senior cricketer, if you speak to them or seek guidance from them, will tell you just one thing: forget,” he said with a smile, adding: “If you’re able to forget as a cricketer and as a sportsperson, the next day will always be better than the last.”
Published on Oct 16, 2026
