Rahul Tripathi started playing in IPL in 2017. He was picked by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in his late twenties, and it was a make-or-break deal for a young cricketer. You can easily go astray at this stage of your career. Especially when things aren’t going right, you can easily lose heart, and sometimes even your head! But, that’s where he got really lucky. At RPS, he came under the wing of a certain gentleman named MS Dhoni – his first IPL captain. His life changed.
Not that Dhoni became the godfather to the young Tripathi, but for him, he was no less than a mentor – his beloved ‘Mahi Bhai’. His relationship with his ‘Mahi Bhai’ began on the eve of April 10, 2017. He was scheduled to play his first match the next day against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), where he was dismissed for ten.
Even after five years, he still fondly remembers what he was told.
“I still remember when I was on my IPL debut, he came and said, “Jaise mein khel khel rahe ho, kulla waaye khelo” (Play like you play in the nets). He gives every player his own little bit. Brother admits. He guided me throughout the tournament in 2017. Sometimes he even scolded me. ‘Dhak hard… Do this’. Like when I was playing for Rajasthan Royals and KKR, whenever I got time “What are you doing these days,” Tripathi said in an exclusive to News18 CricketNext. He always used to ask me.
“Tune the Diya One Hundred Percent”
Let’s cut to October 2021. KKR entered the final of the IPL where they were scheduled to take on Chennai Super Kings. It was Tripathi who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring the winning run in the Eliminator against Delhi Capitals. The whole team was on cloud ninth. Such was the effect that Harbhajan Singh, the boy next door looking like a boy, finally made his dreams come true; That picture can still be found on the web. It tells the story of a team that failed when the league resumed in India in April of the same year.
Tripathi’s mentor Dhoni had followed KKR’s campaign. Even though he led CSK to their fourth IPL title, he was the first to console KKR.
“Before I start talking about CSK, it is important that I talk about KKR. It is very difficult to come back to the position you were in after the first phase and do what you have done. If any team deserved to win the IPL this year, I think it was KKR.
Also, Dhoni ran for Tripathi first as he got out for two. Like KKR, his IPL crashed because his hamstring was pulled. He was not fit to bat. Dhoni was watching it all, and knew what to tell a disheartened youngster.
“I had a hamstring injury and hence, I came down the order. I couldn’t score runs, I was really struggling to run between the wickets. After I got out, Mahi bhai patted me on the back and said: “Koi Nai, today was not your day, but try a hundred percent” (It was not your day, but you gave your hundred percent). I was feeling very sad after losing the final, but Mahi bhai came after the game and spoke to me for a minute. Tripathi said.
‘Joined KKR’
Mentors played a huge role in making Tripathi the batsman he is now in the IPL. If Dhoni impressed him, King Khan’s humor recharged him to handle the world.
The 30-year-old tried to be diplomatic but eventually admitted that he became very attached to KKR where he moved in 2019. And why not? This is where his career really flourished. He will bat as number four, as number five, as a floater, as a finisher, you name it! This is probably the reason why SRH paid a whopping INR 8.5 Crore for them in the recently concluded 2022 mega auction.
He said that he was looking forward to spending time during the quarantine (he is in a Ranji Trophy bubble where he will take action for Maharashtra). IPL auction used to be on TV, just had to watch it. He wanted to know which team he would play for.
“I had a great experience at KKR. So, I was looking… well come on, if I go back (in KKR), I know everything, and the mega auction is like you go to new teams and I am very happy to be in SRH. Obviously, when you play AP, your emotions get added (when you play for a side, you get added), of course, I (KKR) had some emotions attached to it. But, it is a new challenge and it is also a new opportunity for me.”
“Rahul… you must have heard the name”
Speaking about Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is also a co-owner of KKR, he recalled an incident where he was humbled by his ‘hot personality’. They were trying time. Everyone was on Kovid’s toes. The BCCI was organizing the league in the UAE. Everyone wanted to see something ahead. What the doctor ordered is SRK’s humour.
“It was a lot of fun with Shah Rukh sir. (I had a lot of fun with Shahrukh). Whenever he spoke to me…he is such a warm personality. He makes you feel absolutely special karate hai (he always makes you feel special). This year too he teased me because of my muscles during a video call in UAE. Tune bhi body bana li hai, bahut maar raha hai (You also build your body? Looks like you are doing a lot of gym).
Dhoni, Shahrukh and his father
In 2018, when Tripathi was bought by Rajasthan Royals, he got a deal of 3.2 crores. Cut in 2021, its brand value had increased. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) paid him INR 8.5 Crore. Any other middle class child in the country would have been satisfied. It was here that his father, his third mentor, a lifelong guide, stepped in. For a player like Tripathi, it is very important not to lose the big picture: playing for India. There is no touch of arrogance in him even after getting huge amount. Perhaps his father played a part there, as he is the one who keeps reminding him that ‘money is secondary.’
“I was looking for which team I am going to go to (which team I will play for), obviously, when you are recognized for a good amount, a little bit you feel good (you feel good about it). We do). But I am telling you clearly that at this stage you think about opportunities and how to perform. The ultimate goal is to represent the country and play for India.”
‘Your name is coming in a while’
He laughed at how his father Ajay Tripathi reacted when the auction was going on. How he called back home in Pune where Mr. Tripathi was as excited as he was. Nonetheless, he immediately reminded his son not to lose sight of his national ambition.
“As a parent, they are always excited. They think “I will say, say,” (which team will I play). During a break (IPL auction), I called them and asked “Kya Kar (What are you doing). He replied, “Your name is about to come, thoda dar mein,” (Your name is about to be called, Rahul).
“My dad always tells me that IPL is a great opportunity to play for India. He always told me that wherever you go, whatever team you play for, money is secondary,” signed off a busy Tripathi.
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