Rahul Tripathi feels blessed to share experiences with MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane

When looking at the top run-getters list of IPL 10, our eyes are transfixed at number 7. This is the number where Rahul Tripathi has placed himself, but who would have thought about it at the beginning? IPL has always been a door of opportunities for many youngsters, and Tripathi has cashed in on every single opportunity that came his way.

Rising Pune Supergiant were in a state of a dilemma over their openers issue, with no one being able to stabilize the innings from the start along with Ajinkya Rahane. This is when Rahul Tripathi was asked to open by Stephen Fleming and Co., and since then there has not been any cloud of doubts regarding openers.

Tripathi has the ability to take the charge on the pacers from the first ball itself and firmly says that he will not change his aggressive style of play. Recently he got into the limelight after smashing 93 runs against an experienced bowling lineup of KKR, that comprises the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Sunil Narine.

He feels he is lucky to share the dressing room with the likes of former Indian captain MS Dhoni, Australian captain Steve Smith and Ajinkya Rahane. Speaking to the media, he said “I am excited. It’s a big opportunity for me to be here. I am just trying to enjoy the moment. Not thinking too much, just play, just take match by match. It’s coming naturally to me. Nothing extra. I am feeling very blessed to get this opportunity to bat with them and share this experience”

When asked about his approach to the game and the secret of his meteoric rise, he said “It’s nothing specific. It is just that it has come out good attacking them. I have just kept it simple to strike the ball. I don’t think how tough the ball is. I think, he (bowler) is bowling a good yorker, so how can I hit it for a boundary. If he is bowling a bouncer, what type of shot I can play. I always thought like that.”

Rahul Tripathi is holding the pole position in the list of top uncapped run-getters in this year’s IPL. His team will be taking on the 4^th placed defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Saturday.

Tripathi said it is a very important match for the Pune-based franchise, because one win may seal the playoff spot for them. “It’s an important game for us. We are close to playoffs. Sunrisers are a good side at home. It is good to win against them” said Tripathi.

Rising Pune Supergiant now have 14 points from 11 matches, and Sunrisers are just one point behind of them, having played the same number of matches. RPS will be banking on the Ranchi-born Maharashtra batsman to take the charge on the bowlers from the beginning itself.