A train journey filled with pride for Rahul Tripathi's family ahead of IPL 10 final

It was a busy morning as usual, at the Pune Railway station. Many passengers were waiting to confirm their tickets and the commotion was like just another day’s. But something was different from the other days, as Ajay Kumar Tripathi entered the station with the hopes of getting his name off the waiting list. Colonel Ajay Kumar Tripathi is the father of Rahul Tripathi, the 26-year-old batsman who has surprised everyone with his exceptional performance in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rahul has scored 388 runs in 13 matches with an average of just under 30 and a healthy strike rate of just under 150. His team Rising Pune Supergiant will be taking on Maharashtrian counterpart Mumbai Indians on Sunday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Tripathis were waiting to get their Konark express’ tickets confirmed to witness their son Rahul play in the final of the IPL.

Proud father Ajay Tripathi said he has opted for trains because of Rahul’s grandmother. “My mother is 90 years old, and not comfortable on flights, hence the train journey, and the tickets were booked only a couple of days ago after Pune qualified for the final,” he explained.

He was ready to wait till eternity to get the tickets confirmed as his son Rahul had waited for so many years to get a chance to play on such a big stage. “The longest wait was for Rahul, who had worked hard for many years. He is finally realizing his dream of playing on a big stage in front of big players. After winning the best cricketer award by the BCCI, he was hopeful of making the Indian team. But that didn’t happen. Hopefully now his talent will get noticed,” said the Colonel.

Raghu Iyer recommended the name of Rahul Tripathi

Ajay revealed that Rahul was introduced to the Pune management by their CEO Raghu Iyer. “He was recommended to the Pune team CEO Raghu Iyer. The team was courteous enough to conduct trials only for Rahul at D Y Patil stadium in Mumbai, and later asked the auction committee to add his name to the list, just a couple of days earlier,” he said.

The proud father also acknowledged the coaches of Deccan Gymkhana where Rahul received his initial coaching, namely- Hemant Athalye and Kedar Joglekar. He further added, “I feel Maharashtra Cricket Association secretary Riyaz Bagwan made him play fearless cricket. Rahul used to play big shots in the nets, but used to play under pressure in the matches. It was Riyaz sir, who asked him to play without fear.”

It is a moment of utmost pride for a mother when she is called by her child’s reference. The case is no different for Saroj Tripathi. Rahul’s mother, exclaimed, “I was always known as the colonel’s wife all my life. I am called addressed as Rahul’s mother now. What else can I want?”

The Tripathi family and supporters of Pune will be hoping for another scintillating knock from Tripathi for one last time in this year’s IPL, which can give Pune their maiden IPL success.