Rahul Tripathi Is Giving Education On How To Construct A T20 Inning
Rahul Tripathi has been one of the most exciting uncapped Indian players ever since he made his debut in 2017 for the Rising Super Giants. He has, since then, played 75 matches and scored 1778 runs.
He isn't the star batter nor he is given a mammoth amount of price tag but he adds great value in whichever team he plays but exactly where? What makes Rahul more successful than others not only in his franchise but among all the players playing in the tournament?
Rahul Tripathi understands how to construct a T20 inning. One of his strengths is to score against high pace. He has the fifth-best strike rate against high pace bowling since IPL 2020 - 144.27. Once you have the base to play high pace, you have sorted at least 10 overs in the T20 inning.
The other thing is how Rahul begins his innings - in the first 20 balls of his innings, he has a strike rate of close to 145 (1-10: 134 & 11-20: 162). Since 2020, Tripathi has the 8th best strike rate in powerplay - 131.83 and when it comes to facing pace in the first six overs - he has the 4th best strike rate: 132.88.
Another great thing about him is his ability to play spin. He isn't an out-and-out spin hitter but knows how not to get stuck while playing and take his chances smartly. Since 2020, Tripathi has the 6th best strike rate while facing spin - 141.13 while at an average of 31.82.
See what is happening here. In the middle overs, Tripathi keeps accelerating against spin in the middle overs while smashing pacers at the other end. In the middle overs, Rahul Tripathi has the 6th best strike rate in middle overs 147.59 since IPL 2020. Against pace in the middle overs, Tripathi has an SR of 155.55 - 4th best since 2020; Against spin in the middle overs, Rahul strike at 139.59 - 6th best in the same period.
Rahul Tripathi's role is for these two phases - powerplay and middle overs, majorly the latter that is the reason why he likes to play at number three which suits his game and gives him the perfect opportunity to accelerate and see what the situation demands.
Rahul Tripathi has obviously been the best batter for SRH this season where he has scored 393 at a strike rate of 161.72 - the 2nd best SR among batters who have played at least 200 balls. He has dominated pace bowling, scoring 266 runs at an SR of 167.29 - 4th best among those who have faced 150 balls.
In powerplay, Rahul has the 4th best strike rate this season - 143.67 (minimum 75 balls). Against pace in the first six overs, the SRH batter has scored 109 runs at a rate of 147.29 - 4th best among batters facing a minimum of 50 balls.
In the middle overs, Tripathi has the 3rd best strike rate in IPL 2022 - 163.94 (minimum 120 balls). Against pace in the middle phase, he has smashed pace at a rate of 171.05 - 4th best SR for a minimum of 50 balls; against spin, his 156.33 strike is the 8th best for batters facing a minimum of 50 balls.
Overall, Rahul Tripathi has scored more than 19% of the total runs SRH have scored this season despite facing just 16% of the deliveries - 4th among five batters who have faced more than 200 balls for his team.
Rahul Tripathi is having another high-quality season and at the same time, he is also giving education on how to construct a T20 inning very casually.
"I've enjoyed batting at three. It's important that if the openers have given a good start, then continuing that. Or whatever the situation demands I'm trying to learn from that. Depends on how the wicket is playing, how I can counterattack at that point. If it's there and I can take it on, I will definitely go for the shot.
Also Read: IPL 2022 - Scorecard
"If it's not there then I'll just look to take those singles-doubles. Sometimes when a bowler is bowling well, how to score those runs. In T20 there cannot be a moment where you can slow down. Every ball is an event so I just think what could be the best result," Tripathi said in the post-interview after he scored 76 in 44 balls vs MI.