Tripathi dreams of donning India cap

As a swashbuckling opener, Rahul Tripathi has been the cynosure of all eyes in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the Rising Pune Supergiant batsman says his ultimate dream is to play for India.

Ahead of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Tripathi says he is enjoying every moment at the Pune outfit and is grateful to all his team-mates for the support.

As a swashbuckling opener, Rahul Tripathi has been the cynosure of all eyes in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the Rising Pune Supergiant batsman says his ultimate dream is to play for India.

Ahead of Pune’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Friday, Tripathi says he is enjoying every moment at the Pune outfit and is grateful to all his team-mates for the support.

“Yes, I am excited but not thinking too much. Just focussing on what best I can do for the team. I am pleased in contributing to the team’s success," Tripathi said.

“I would love to take it match by match. Well, you feel great when someone like Ajinkya bhai , Dhoni bhai say a few words like—‘well played’. They mean so much to me,” he remarked.

“There is no specific reason for being successful against the pacers. I am just trying to take the attack to the opposition keeping things simple. I am glad that I am able to use the power-plays well as I think only how to hit the ball, be it a bouncer or a yorker,” the dashing opener said.

“Frankly, I am looking at the IPL as an opportunity. So never thought I would be in this position now,” the opener said. On Saturday’s game, Tripathi says it is an important game against a very good side.

Nehra fit

For his part, Sunrisers coach Tom Moody says left-arm pacer Asish Nehra is fit and is available for selection.

“We are addressing the issue of the efforts of Bhuvi and Rashid going waste. I think Bhuvi is the best death bowler in the IPL,” he said. “It is always a tough call to tell any cricketer to say sorry you are not playing the game,” Moody pointed out.

“But fortunately we are able to communicate clearly and consistently making our job easier,” he said.

“All games in IPL are crunch games. We know that Pune are on a roll and it will be a tough match," Moody remarked.