IPL 2022: SRH's Rahul Tripathi not far from India call-up, says Ravi Shastri

Rahul Tripathi scored a stroke-filled 76, which laid the foundation for Sunrisers Hyderabad to score a mammoth 193/6 against Mumbai Indians and win by three runs to keep their slender hopes of making IPL 2022 playoffs alive, former India head coach Ravi Shastri claimed that the Maharashtra batter is not far from a call-up to the national team. Tripathi's wonderful knock of 76 came off just 44 balls, laced with nine boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 172.73. "He's not far at all. If someone doesn't get up from the bench or gets up from the wrong side of the bed and gets injured, this guy can be slotted in straightaway. He can go at No. 3 or 4. He's a dangerous player and should be in the mix. If he's performing season after season, I'm sure the selectors will be watching that very, very closely and giving him his due," said Shastri on T20 Time:Out show on ESPNCricinfo.

In this season of the IPL, Tripathi has owned the number three spot in Hyderabad's line-up, amassing 393 runs at an average of 39.30 and strike-rate of 161.72 so far, including three half-centuries. Shastri further heaped praise on Tripathi's fearless all-round game and not being intimidated by opposition's bowling attack. "It's not that one swallow that makes a summer; he's been around for a bit and what I like about his game is his fearlessness and he's got a tag of being a known quantity and someone the opposition wants to get out quickly. Irrespective of that, he comes out and plays his game...he's not overawed by any opposition or by any bowler, which is great to see.

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After his spectacular knock helped Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Mumbai