Ripal Patel made his IPL debut for DC against CSK.
Ripal called playing in the IPL against CSK captain MS Dhoni a ‘fan boy’ moment as he said that the mercurial captain inspired him to pursue cricket. He also said that a welcome chat with Dhoni at the end of the game made his day and elevated his confidence.
"It was a different feeling altogether to see Mahi bhai behind the stumps when I took guard. It felt really good that Mahi bhai was watching me play. I started playing cricket watching Mahi bhai and I am looking to become a finisher like him," Patel was quoted as saying in a release issued by his franchise DC.
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"After the game, I asked him how he finishes every match, how he thinks on the field, and what goes on in his mind while chasing a score. We had a good chat and he gave me a lot of confidence,” he added.
Asked about his emotions when he received the Delhi Capitals cap before the game, he said: "I was really happy when I received my cap from Mishy bhai (Amit Mishra). It didn't feel like it was my first match. I felt really good going into the match. I just looked to back myself and enjoy every part of the game.
When I went into bat (at 71/3), we needed to score at a run-a-ball pace. I aimed to finish the match for the team. Shikhar bhai (Dhawan) told me to take my time at the crease, so I took my time and enjoyed my batting."
“We were looking for a couple of runs and it was great to see Rabada hit a boundary. I was disappointed that I didn't finish the match, but it was great that the team won and reached 20 points,” he signed off.
(PTI inputs)