Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on SRH's Rahul Tripathi after yet another fabulous knock in the ongoing IPL 2022 and backed him to make his debut for India soon.
He also lauded Tripathi for his fearless all-round game and for not being intimidated by the bowling attack.
Tripathi played a stunning knock of 76 runs off 44 balls laced with nine boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 172.73 playing a huge role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) 3-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 65th match of the ongoing IPL 2022 on May 17 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Notably, Tripathi has batted at number three for SRH in the ongoing IPL 2022 and so far amassed 393 runs with the help of three half-centuries at an average of 39.30 and a strike rate of 161.72.
Ravi Shastri said on T20 Time: An out show on ESPNCricinfo: “He's not far at all. 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.”
He continued, “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 a 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...he's not overawed by any opposition or by any bowler, which is great to see.
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 terrific innings.”
On his ability to bat at No.3, the former captain said: “The thing with Tripathi season after season is whether he has a great or good season, or not a great season by his standards, while he's at the crease the scoreboard is ticking and he's scoring at a great rate, which is tremendous at No. 3 because he sets it up beautifully. If a wicket goes early, he's ready to counter-attack."
He signed off by saying, “When you get a good start, he's there to build on that. He doesn't go behind the eight ball, rotates the strike well, he has the big shots up his sleeve and he has a tremendous all-around game. This guy comes with no baggage. He'll come out and play his shots. The time he spends at the crease, he'll be a value addition to the (Indian) side.”
(With IANS Inputs)
