“Big opportunity for me, it is a dream come true,” says Rahul Tripathi after receiving his maiden national call-up

Wednesday brought a massive joy for Rahul Tripathi as the Maharashtra batter received his maiden national call-up as the BCCI announced the T20I squad for the Ireland tour. The national selectors received a lot of stick when they didn’t pick the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batter for the South Africa T20 series.

The BCCI announced the squad for the two-game T20I series on the Ireland tour. While Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have been pulled out of the T20 squad as they will be a part of the England Test squad, Suryakumar Yadav returned from the injury.

However, the highlight of the Hardik Pandya-led squad is the selection of Rahul Tripathi. The right-handed batter has been one of the most consistent uncapped players in the Indian Premier League for the previous couple of seasons.

Tripathi was in a brilliant touch during the latest edition of the mega league as he smashed 413 runs in 14 matches averaging 37.54 at an outstanding strike rate of over 158. The 31-year-old is likely to bat at the number three in place of Shreyas Iyer.

“It is a dream come true for me” – Rahul Tripathi

His voice was beaming with immense joy as the talented batter talked to PTI about his maiden call-up for the Indian team.

“It is a very big opportunity, a dream come true (moment) and (I) appreciate (it),” said Tripathi in a conversation with PTI.

Tripathi said that he has got a reward for his hard work and also added that he will try to give his best if given an opportunity to play.

“I am very happy that the selectors and everybody believed in me and whatever hard work I have put in, I have got the rewards. And hopefully, if I get an opportunity to play, I will try and give my best,” said Rahul Tripathi.

Tripathi has played 76 IPL matches in his career and has a career strike rate of over 140.