IPL 2017, Match 41, KKR v RPS: CT Player of the Match – Rahul Tripathi

The Rising Pune Supergiant have been on a scintillating run this season. At one stage in the early half of the season, it seemed that they were coming up with a repeat show of the previous season. However, things have changed drastically in the last couple of weeks for them. A lot of credit for this overhaul goes to the peaking of the players at the right time. One such player who has risen to the occasion in Rahul Tripathi.

Tripathi had a few very handy cameos to his name this season but many believed he lacks the ability to make it big. In the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders, he proved all the critics wrong and came up with masterly innings that helped RPS register their 7th win of the season. The Supergiant are now only one win away from making it to the playoffs this season.

Coming into the game, Rahul Tripathi scored a majestic 93 off just 52 deliveries to guide the RPS to the run chase of 155. The Knight Riders had succumbed to the bowling of the Supergiant in the match and the target looked a modest one. Having said that, it still had to be chased anyway. Tripathi, for his wonderful anchoring knock in the match, gets the CT Player of the Match.

Taking on the charge in the powerplay

With a target of 155 on the board, the RPS backed themselves to run past the score at the half way stage. In walked Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi to open the innings. Both batsmen showed aggression right from the word go. They were up against the Kolkata Knight Riders bowling attack – a team that had bundled out the opposition for just 49 in their defense of 131 earlier this season.

Hence, taking the charge was the only way to keep the opposition on the backfoot. Rahane, the senior partner, perished in his attempt to do so. Rahul could have easily come under pressure and could have thrown his wicket away. But the youngster showed great character by stepping up to the occasion. He took the attack to Nathan Coulter-Nile – the best bowler in the opposition. His onslaught saw RPS register 79 runs in the powerplay – their highest in the tournament history.

Being the lone warrior

It will be unfair to say that Rahul Tripathi did not have company at the crease whilst he was batting. He did get a lot of batsmen at the other end who tried to settle in at the crease. But, only three batsmen – including Tripathi – got into the double digits in the match.

The fact that Tripathi’s eventual score 93 was more than half of the total runs scored by RPS is a testimony of his dominion at the crease. The next best score in the RPS lineup was 14 runs by Ben Stokes – a country mile behind Tripathi’s 93.

Majestic shot making

When one sees a young Indian batsman walk out at the big stage, there is always a speculation that the youngster would go on to hit some brash shots if he ends up scoring a big number. This was certainly not the case with Rahul Tripathi. All his shots were perfect cricket shots and none looked like a slog.

En route his superlative 93 off 52 deliveries, he hit 9 fours and 7 maximums – all of which were royal shots on display. One could not pin point a single moment in the game when Rahul was not in control of the shots that he intended to play.

Making it big, making it count

The big stage arrived for him when he was expected to take the role of the anchor after Rahane and skipper Steve Smith had walked back to the pavilion. In the last few matches, he had a string of 30 plus scores including a fifty to his name.

However, he was found guilty of not being able to make it to a big score. This time around, Tripathi made it a point to get all boxes ticked correctly in order to set things right for himself. He was unlucky to have missed out on his maiden IPL ton.

Simplicity at its very best

In the post match presentation, Tripathi managed to win over a million more hearts. The simplicity with which he spoke was a delight to watch. The happiness and the innocence oozed from his eyes and the smile. He could not control his happiness after having been named the Man of the Match. Certainly, it was the big moment for him in his career. Well, truth be told, he deserved every bit of praise that he earned on the day.