Aakash Chopra and Ian Bishop backs Rahul Tripathi for India debut

Aakash Chopra Rahul Tripathi
Image Credits: Twitter
Aakash Chopra Rahul Tripathi
Image Credits: Twitter

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has batted for Rahul Tripathi’s inclusion in the Indian team for the South Africa T20I series. The former opener praised Tripathi for his mature head and his brilliant knock of 76 runs off 44 deliveries against Mumbai Indians.

Notably, powered by Tripathi’s knock, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a massive total of 193/6 in 20 overs. The Orange Army defended the total by restricting the five-time champions to 190/7 to win the game by three runs.

Aakash Chopra reviewed the Mumbai Indians – Sunrisers Hyderabad clash on his YouTube channel on Wednesday morning. In the video, Chopra termed Rahul Tripathi’s knock as the match-defining moment.

“Rahul Tripathi should be picked for South Africa series” – Aakash Chopra

Talking about the right-handed batter, Chopra said, “In my opinion, Rahul Tripathi. He made 76 off 44 balls, with three sixes and nine fours. He had a strike rate of 172 and I will tell you one more thing about him, he has a strike rate above 190 in winning causes. So whenever they win the match, they win because of him, he runs at double speed, and when he gets out, Hyderabad is also out along with him.”

Aakash Chopra also highlighted Rahul Tripathi’s ability to play the spin and the pace with the same authority.

“He is my favourite uncapped Indian player since the time he has started playing the IPL. We all know that he is selfless. It does not bother him whether it is a spinner or a fast bowler, you get Bumrah to bowl or any other bowler, it does not matter to him.”

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Aakash Chopra also talked about how easily Rahul Tripathi negotiated with Jasprit Bumrah and dominated the pacer.

“If he goes after you, he goes after you. The one shot (pulled six) he hit against Bumrah and then hit two fours as well, suddenly you realized that he is serious quality.”

In the end, Aakash Chopra concluded his statement by saying that India should select Rahul Tripathi for the South Africa T20I series.

“And I am saying, because SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) might not be available at all, why not Rahul Tripathi for the series against South Africa? You will give him an opportunity sometime or the other and if he is doing so well in T20s regularly, I think it is his right that you keep him.”

Meanwhile, former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop has also backed Rahul Tripathi to earn his maiden India call-up.