Cover Story
Stumps
o t Scrubs Luke Reynolds speaks to former Northamptonshire man Vishal Tripathi about his ‘second life’ as a junior doctor. Photographs by Chris Booth
52 / THEPCA.CO.UK
t has been a year like no other. With hospitals at breaking point, former cricketer-turned-doctor, Vishal Tripathi, has found it in him to complete his medical training. The 33-year-old doing so during what has to be one of the most challenging periods in the 73-year history of the National Health Service. The former Northamptonshire man, who made 17 professional appearances, has undergone a remarkable career change with the help of the PCA, swapping stumps for scrubs as a junior doctor at the University Hospital of
North Tees in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. After leaving the game in 2013, it has been far from plain sailing for Tripathi. A gruelling training programme, resulted in mental health challenges, seeing him open up on camera for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust. The video release coinciding with Vitality Blast Finals Day, again in support of the players’ charity. The PCA’s Head of Communications Luke Reynolds travelled to the north-east to find out more about Tripathi’s journey, the challenges he has faced, and the path he sees himself following in the future.
