Sachin Tendulkar is my childhood hero: Rahul Tripathi [Interview]

Rahul Tripathi is plying his trade in the Indian domestic circuit since February 2010 after he made his List A debut as a 19-year-old. However, it was only in 2017 when he grabbed the limelight while playing for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the Indian Premier League.

He batted at the top of the order and amassed 391 runs at an average and strike rate of 27.92 and 146.44 respectively. In the following season, he moved to the Rajasthan Royals where his batting slot was changed way too many times.

Two seasons later, the Royals let him go and in 2020, Tripathi joined the Kolkata Knight Riders. Though KKR has witnessed a change in leadership and some lacklustre team performances, the 29-year-old Tripathi has managed to show his calibre at the top of the order.

In 44 first-class, 38 List A and 93 T20 matches, Rahul has scored 2359, 1010 and 1939 runs respectively. He also has six centuries and 29 half-centuries to his name. In 52 matches in the IPL, Tripathi has scored 1175 runs at an average and strike-rate of 25.54 and 134.9 respectively.

The right-hander has also churned out some important knocks for Maharashtra in the domestic circuit. In the meantime, Tripathi caught up with CricTracker for their Question-and-Answer session, ‘Free Hit’.

During the interaction, he spoke about the Knights and some funny incidents in their camp. Moreover, he named his idol and childhood hero and had a smiling outlook throughout the session.

Here are the excerpts from Rahul Tripathi’s interview:

Laziest cricketer in KKR is?

Varun Chakravarthy

One thing if you could steal from Andre Russell?

His power to hit sixes

Are you a better dancer or singer?

Dancer

Your best moment in IPL 2021?

I liked that moment when I caught Virat Kohli in a match against RCB

One KKR cricketer who is a boring travel partner?

Varun Chakravarthy. He keeps watching a lot of YouTube videos when we are on the flight.

The best thing about being a cricketer is?

I really enjoy playing the game.

You were a superhero what would your powers be?

I would like to become strong as the Hulk

A dish you can’t live without?

The paneer dish my mother makes

One former bowler from the past you want to face?

Brett Lee

One favourite and boring part of your workout regime?

My favourite is running and mobility is boring

Your favourite moment in the KKR dressing room?

The appreciation I got when I played well

A hilarious prank your teammates played on you?

This year it happened to me. The media team and everybody told me to make an April Fool to Eoin Morgan, Shubman Gill and all those, who were shooting and they reversed it on me.

Three words to describe Eoin Morgan

Calm, strong personality, and fun

Rising Pune Super Giant or KKR- Which team is more special to you?

Both the teams are very special, but I would go for Pune since it was my first team

One famous Shah Rukh Khan dialogue you know?

Rahul, naam to suna hi hoga

Who is your cricket idol?

Virat Kohli

Are you an early riser or a night owl?

Early riser

One person, you love discussing cricket with?

My friends in Pune

Your childhood hero?

Sachin Tendulkar

Your favourite holiday destination?

The Maldives

Watch the full interview here