Team India will be facing Ireland in a two-T20I series later this month, where all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be leading the side.
With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant among others not featuring in the series due to their commitments with the Test team, the selectors picked multiple youngsters in the squad including Rahul Tripathi.
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Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Tripathi impressed one and all in the IPL 2022 season, scoring 413 runs in 14 games at an incredible strike rate of 158.24.
After his IPL exploits, Tripathi received support from many former cricketers and fans for his inclusion in the national squad and the right-hander eventually earned his maiden India call-up last week.
In an exclusive chat with TOI, Tripathi talked about his selection and said: “When you get your first break, it comes this way only”, referring to India not fielding a full-strength team for the Ireland tour.
The 31-year-old also opened up on the learnings he received from various coaches while being part of different IPL franchises.
“Hrishikesh Kanitkar gave me some important tips,” said Tripathi. “But being associated with Abhishek Nayar (former Mumbai all-rounder) at KKR really rejuvenated me. His contribution is big in my progress. Now, I am more comfortable about adapting my game according to the team’s requirements. I am confident about expressing myself in the non-powerplay overs too.”
Speaking on his batting philosophy, Tripathi said: “I believe in keeping the scoreboard moving all the time and keep improving my game. I believe in hard work. Being busy also gives me happiness hence I go for a trek or play football when cricket-related activities are less.”
For any cricketer striving to be a part of the Indian team, IPL can be a perfect platform and Rahul Tripathi is grateful for the cash-rich tournament.
“But more than that it’s about the opportunity to play cricket with and against international stars. The platform it provides is amazing,” he said. “As I started doing well in the IPL, I could sense I was in the India reckoning. Being in the team now is a dream come true.”
(With TOI inputs)
