David Warner, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Hashim Amla, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa are anything but tyros in any form of the game, but Maharashtra’s Rahul Tripathi can be said to be so, at least in the IPL.
Tripathi went for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) trials at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, slammed a few big shots and was drafted into a squad that had a new captain in Steve Smith.
At 26 years, he cannot be called a spring chicken, especially after representing Maharashtra in 66 competitive matches. After two good seasons between 2014-16 (509 and 492), Tripathi had a dismal 2016-17 scoring just 185 in seven league matches. But once picked by RPS, Tripathi decided to make his own destiny.
His splendid display in a dozen matches would have surprised coach Stephen Fleming, Smith, the entire team and perhaps himself. The right-hander, who has compiled 388 runs with 17 sixes and 43 fours is fourth in the boundary aggregate honours list of IPL-10.
He single-handedly took his team past Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, making 93 (52b, 9x4, 7x6).
Though Tripathi has been fearless, he has shown that he has had a good upbringing as a batsman, playing for Maharashtra in virtually all age group tournaments before being capped in the Ranji Trophy.
Quite clearly, Tripathi decided that the only way to stand out was to hit out or get out. And how well and smartly he has done that! He has showcased a wide repertoire of shots and is definitely not careworn by the high-intensity competition and big names around him.
Will he take the risks and go after the Mumbai bowlers at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday? He did not play the league opener against MI, but cut and carved 45 (31b, 3x4, 2x6) in the away match on April 24.
Surely more franchises will bid for him come IPL-11.
