India’s top-order batter Rahul Tripathi gave everyone the answer of not being able to hit “some more runs” in the third and deciding T20I against New Zealand. Tripathi gave India’s innings acceleration before Shubman Gill’s stunning show. He scored 44 off just 22 before he gave a catch off Ish Sodhi as well. He also said that he would have been happier had he gotten some more runs in the game. He further revealed that head coach Rahul Dravid had told him to play his natural game only.

“I would have been happier had I got some more runs. Rahul sir and everyone has been telling me to play in the same way I have been, and look to take advantage in the first six overs,” Rahul Tripathi said after the match.

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However, amazed by the crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rahul Tripathi said the atmosphere was stunning and he was happy that India won the T20I series against New Zealand 2-1 in Ahmedabad. Tripathi’s 44 in the third T20I was also a relief as he did not score in the first two matches (0, 13) against New Zealand. Even in his T20I debut, he scored only three runs, followed by 35 against Sri Lanka as well.

“It’s a terrific atmosphere in the stadium, playing in front of such a crowd. And even more happy that we have won the series,” Rahul Tripathi concluded.

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Shubman Gill, who won the Player of the Match award after a stunning hundred, said: “It feels good when you practice and it pays off. I was backing myself to score big. Didn’t happen in the Sri Lanka series, but happy to see it work out now. Everybody has a different technique to hit sixes. Hardik bhai told me to play my game, not do anything extra and he kept backing me. When you represent your country, there is no fatigue. It was my dream to play for India, and I am very fortunate to be part of the team in all three formats.”