"Der aaye durust aaye" - Fans react as Rahul Tripathi makes his T20I debut against Sri Lanka  

Rahul Tripathi is all set to make his international debut during the second T20I against Sri Lanka at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, January 5.

Tripathi, who has been waiting in the wings for quite some time now, came in place of Sanju Samson. The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter suffered a knee injury while fielding in the first T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and has been ruled out of the remainder of the series.

Having scored close to 2000 runs in 74 IPL innings, Tripathy was on the cusp of making his Team India debut. He received his maiden Indian call-up during the tour of Ireland for two T20Is last summer under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya.

Fans were extremely happy to see Tripathy in the playing XI and wished him luck for the game. Here are some reactions:

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"We just think dew might come later" - India captain Hardik Pandya

Indian skipper Hardik Pandya decided to bowl first in Pune after winning the toss. Explaining his decision, the all-rounder stated that dew might play a role in the second innings.

"We're going to bowl first," Hardik said at the toss. "We just think dew might come later. The wicket looks quite good. I don't think it'll change much."

Meanwhile, India made two changes to their playing XI. Apart from Rahul Tripathy's inclusion, Arshdeep Singh made a comeback to the side in place of Harshal Patel.

"One forced change with Sanju Samson ruled out," he added. "Rahul Tripathi makes his debut. Arshdeep comes back in and Harshal misses out."

India's playing XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Dilshan Madushanka.

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