Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Rahul Tripathi has put up an impressive show in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season so far. He played yet another fantastic knock on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium against the Mumbai Indians.
Rahul Tripathi slammed a match-winning 76-runs knock, off 44 balls. He came in at number three and smashed nine boundaries and three sixes during his stay at the crease. The Sunrisers Hyderabad youngster has impressed fans and the experts with his brilliant performance in the tournament.
Many have called for his inclusion in the Indian Team, including former cricketer Ravi Shastri. Speaking to Espncricinfo, the former India head coach expressed that Rahul Tripathi could be a backup option for Team India. He opined,
“He’s not far at all (from India debut). If someone doesn’t get up from the bench or gets up from the wrong side of the bed and gets injured, this guy can be slotted in straight away. He can go at No. 3 or 4, he’s a dangerous player, and should be in the mix. If he’s performing season after season, I’m sure the selectors will be watching that very, very closely and giving him his due.”
“It’s not that one swallow that makes summer, he’s been around for a bit and what I like about his game is his fearlessness, and he’s got a tag of being a known quantity and someone the opposition wants to get out quickly. Irrespective of that, he comes out and plays his game and his shot-making ability, the all-around game that he has, he’s not overawed by any opposition or by any bowler, which is great to see,” added Shastri.
Our highest individual score this season. Man of the Match for tonight. Take a bow, @tripathirahul52. 💪🏾🔥#MIvSRH #OrangeArmy #ReadyToRise #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/2hyZn803YE
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 17, 2022
Rahul Tripathi is a very confident player – Ravi Shastri
The former Indian cricketer is also impressed with Rahul Tripathi’s shot selection. He expressed that the Sunrisers Hyderabad cricketer is a very confident player and reads the bowler’s mind well. Shastri termed Tripathi’s 76-runs knock against the Mumbai Indians as “terrific” while praising the youngster.
“Tripathi is a very, very confident player. What I liked best was his shot selection, the positions he got in, the anticipation, the reading of the bowler and the lengths he is going to bowl, and then getting into positions to attack a part of the field he wanted to. He gave himself in those positions a couple of options. If the ball was up, he had a couple of shots ready once he got into that position; if the bowler altered, he had plan B in place as well. So extremely impressive and a terrific innings,” said Ravi Shastri.
Along with Ravi Shastri, many other former cricketers too believe that it is the right time for Rahul Tripathi to make his India debut. The likes of Ian Bishop and Aakash Chopra have also praised the right-hander on Twitter.
I just Loooove watching Rahul Tripathi bat.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 17, 2022
Rahul Tripathi for International cricket,,,,,,it’s time!,,,,
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 17, 2022
Rahul Tripathi should be in the Indian squad for SA T20i series.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 17, 2022
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