A message from Stokes, and the Dhoni consolation

In this new Cricbuzz series - Once upon an IPL final - we get some of the younger cricketers to retell tales of an IPL final they were part of. Here we have Rahul Tripathi recounting the 'so close yet so far' experience that was the final of IPL 2017.

In just the second - and final - year of their existence in the IPL, Rising Pune Supergiants stormed into the final of the 2017 edition, where they faced two-time champions Mumbai Indians.

Having already beaten MI thrice in three games that season, the mood was upbeat in the camp. There was a special message from eventual player of the tournament Ben Stokes as well, who had to leave early for national duty...

When MI won the game (the second qualifier), we were like 'ok we have beaten them three times'. So we were confident that we could beat them again. Before the final, we just had a small team meeting, but the day before we had a get together, everyone was really happy that we reached the final. The night before the final we had a team dinner and Mahi bhai told everyone that "we have done well, so it's just another game tomorrow, we don't have to think too much, just keep playing the way we are playing". Stephen Fleming used to always be in the team shorts (team kit) but before the final he came wearing formals. He meant that he is ready to pick up the IPL trophy.

Stokes has always been a great friend and is a great human being. I remember before the final, in the group (on WhatsApp) he texted "come on guys, go out there and get the trophy. This is my first IPL, I want the trophy in my hand, I will be watching you guys." It was really motivating.

Chasing just 130, RPS had the game in the bag at one stage before eventually losing the title by the smallest of margins. Needing 7 off 4 at one stage, a set Steve Smith found the only fielder in the deep on the offside to completely silence the RPS dugout...

We were so close to it. It was really hard to digest. I think we needed 11 off the last over and Manoj (Tiwary) bhaiyyahit the first ball for a boundary so we needed 7 off 5 and that was the moment we really thought it's in our hand, we have definitely won this.

You could see it from the dugout, you could see that it (Smith's shot) was timed unbelievably well. It was flying like a bullet. I think it would have gone for a six but Rayudu took a superb catch. We lost two wickets and then we needed four off one ball just lost by a run. It was difficult. Destiny was on their side.

Dhoni came to the rescue after the disappointing night...

I remember after the game I was sitting in Mahi Bhai's room. Dinda (Ashoke) bhai was there..Mayank (Agarwal) was there...Manoj Tiwary bhaiyya was there....a lot of people were coming in and going...we were sitting there quietly. He was like "it's ok we lost it, I know it's difficult." He had discussions with us. We were sitting in his room until 5 or 6 in the morning. He was just sharing his thoughts and experiences. He was signing t-shirts.

We were there until the morning just talking. Everyone had flights to catch. In fact someone had a flight in the morning at 6 so he left directly from there. We were all disappointed. It was such a close game. Being from Pune, playing for Pune and winning the IPL would have been a dream come true for me. I think it was difficult to miss it by such a small margin but there were a lot of things to learn.

Playing in the final of his maiden season was commendable, and it came on the back of consistent performances.He could have easily missed the ticket, like he did in 2016, but was a last-minute pick at base price for the franchise. Now that he was picked, Tripathi decided to keep an eye on MS Dhoni all the time to pick up lessons on the go...

When Mahi Bhai joined the camp, right from the time he was entering the bus to whatever he used to do, I used to secretly keep watching him. I remember on the first day I was paired with him in the nets to bat. He said, "Both of us will bat two rounds each". It was a jittery moment for me. He could see that I was a bit nervous so while passing by he just said, "bindaas khelo (play fearlessly)." One day we finished practice and we were heading to the bus and suddenly he just looked at me and said 'idhar aao' (come here) and I just went running up to him. He said: "See if you get an opportunity to play, it's just another game. Don't get too excited. Just control yourself and play, like you do in the nets. The way you've always played."

The debut came in an unlikely fashion, as a result of Manoj Tiwary's unavailability. With Mayank Agarwal also failing to make an impact at the top of the order, it was Tripathi's turn to shine. In his first five games as an opener, he registered scores of 33, 31, 59, 38 and 37.

When I got the first game against Delhi Daredevils, I just came to know in the morning. Unfortunately, Manoj Tiwary bhaiyya (brother) had to go home for some reason and he wasn't available for the game so I got an opportunity. I was ready and Fleming came to me in the morning and told me that I might get an opportunity that day.

In my first innings I played in the middle order only. Opening was a different kind of experience for me. The preparation was also different. You face the new ball, you are looking to clear the infield and get the team to a great start. It was different but everybody helped me and I was enjoying it. Hrishi sir (Hrishikesh Kanitkar) was there, I was very comfortable with him, sharing thoughts and asking questions. I was opening with Ajinkya Rahane dada (brother). I've played my three years of IPL with Ajju (Rahane) dada. He is someone who has really helped me immensely, you can go up to him anytime asking anything and he was always there with advice especially regarding fast bowlers. I remember asking him, "Since I've moved from middle order to opening, that too in the IPL, is it any different?" He said, "No, there is nothing to worry. Tu bindaas khel (You play fearlessly)." While batting with him, even from the non striker's end he will come to me and say 'you are playing well, keep that intent going'.

Tripathi's best performance that season came against KKR. When everyone around him crumbled, Tripathi came up with a match-winning 93 - an innings that gave the team owner immense satisfaction on a personal level...

The KKR game was like a Bengal derby sort of a game for Sanjeev Goenka sir (team owner) because he is from Kolkata. He really liked Eden Gardens, it was like a home game for him so he was pumped up and he was like 'I want to win the game in Kolkata'. We lost some wickets at the start. It was a good game for me. I just kept going. I could contribute and win the game for the team. After the game, I remember Raghu sir, Sanjeev sir were there, they just said 'what a turnaround it's been, we just picked you up as the last name in the auction, we never thought you will be contributing in such a way'. I felt like the belief they showed in me I could pay them back.

And then we beat Mumbai in Mumbai (in the qualifier), Mahi bhai played an awesome innings in that game, he hit Bumrah for an amazing six. It was really fun to watch. When we qualified for the final, we were very excited. Because at a certain point during the middle of the tournament, we were not really in a great position but qualifying from the second position and then winning the qualifier and playing the final, we were excited. It was the first final for me. My friends were like 'what an opportunity, you are playing the final in your first IPL'. Everybody thought this is a new team, other teams were established for 7 or 8 years but to come together and play like this was something.

As told to Narbavie Rajendran