Rahul Tripathi gearing up for the domestic season

Ranchi-born cricketer Rahul Tripathi never thought that he will rub shoulders with the biggest cricketer to have emerged from his city, MS Dhoni. Rahul had to move around states because of his father’s job but finally settled in Pune, where the right-hander pursued cricket again after a short hiatus.

He stunned everyone with his stroke play in the IPL 2017, his first season in the cash-rich league. An otherwise middle order batsman, Rahul was promoted to bat up the order where he produced memorable knocks none more than his scintillating 93 against KKR at the Eden Gardens. 391 runs yielded from 14 games at a high strike rate of 146 in his debut tournament, certainly not bad at all. With the IPL behind him now, Rahul is hoping to kick on from his solid showings.

Tripathi is all set to play in the TNCA first division league in Chennai, famous for its competitive standards. Although Tripathi is a T20 star, he isn’t a regular in the Ranji Trophy Team for Maharashtra. The league in Chennai is played in the days’ format, which will keep the RPS star in good stead for the season ahead.

He said to Sportstar on Monday, “I have heard a lot about the standard of cricket here. The league is well organised and hard fought. Playing here will be a good preparation for me ahead of the Ranji season.”

Dhoni’s advice

Speaking of his IPL exploits, Tripathi remembers how Dhoni helped him calm his nerves before the former’s first game. He must have learnt a lot by sharing the dressing room with Steve Smith and Ben Stokes alongside Dhoni.

“I remember Dhoni bhai advising me ahead of my maiden IPL game. He told me ‘just take it as another game, an opportunity rather than put pressure on yourself.’ It worked.”

‘Morris said something when I hit him for 4’

He also recollects his first ball in IPL, when he batted against Delhi Daredevils in the middle order. Chris Morris tried intimidating him after Rahul sent the first ball he faced for a boundary but he stood unruffled. “Morris glared at me and said some things to me. I ignored it.”

Rahul is expected to be a part of the inaugural season of TNPL, a franchise based T20 event in Tamil Nadu. But the BCCI has expressed concerns in outstation players playing the tournament. Rahul was clear in his thoughts when asked about his participation in the competition. “We will go with the BCCI decision.”