The next few days will revolve around people Googling up the name of Rahul Tripathy. The youngster got his moment to cherish against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, as his free-flowing knock of 93 during a moderate run chase stole the show. It was an innings filled with an array of awe-inspiring strokes and proper timing with power.
The game got off perfectly for the Supergiant as Sunil Narine was dismissed right in the very first over by Jaydev Unadkat. Manish Pandey played well but couldn’t capitalise on the start and the Knight Riders ended up with just 155. The chase was an entertaining one thanks to Rahul Tripathy.
Post the game, skipper Steven Smith was in full awe of the young batsman.
“It’s been a good run for us,” said Smith. “It’s been a good team performance. Tripathi – hasn’t he been a revelation for us? The bowlers really have done an exceptional job for us. In fact, quite a few different guys stand up and help us get past the winning line.”
“We went hard with the new ball and tried to put as many runs possible in the powerplay. Tripathi took on the bowlers and unfortunate that he hasn’t got a hundred. Hopefully, we will record few more wins and be there come the playoffs time,” Smith added.
Rahul Tripathy was named the Man of the Match and he had a million dollar smile on his face.
“I enjoyed my batting today. I was getting good starts but was not able to convert it. Happy that my team won today. I’m just trying to middle the ball, trying to concentrate on the wicket and not on the outside. I’m happy that I’m able to do well. I’m just watching the ball, hitting and it is coming off well,” he said.
“I’m happy that I’m doing well and hopefully I will continue hitting. My role was just to play till the end. The coach and Smithy told me to be there until the end, so I was doing it ball by ball. The ball was coming on nicely and I tried enjoying myself out there in the middle,” Tripathy added.