Emperor Of Cricket

Just as Advay thought the teasing was over, Chahal leaned in, resting his elbows on the table, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, alright… jokes aside. You must've at least gotten her number, right?"

The entire table went silent for a second, all eyes turning toward Advay.

Advay casually picked up his drink, taking a slow sip as if the question wasn't important at all. Then, in the most nonchalant tone possible, he said, "No."

The silence lasted for half a second before the entire team exploded in outrage.

"WHAT?!"

Chahal slapped the table so hard the plates shook. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Umesh threw his hands up. "You had an entire shoot with her, sat down, talked, and you didn't get her number?! What is wrong with you?!"

Moeen Ali shook his head in genuine disappointment. "You had one job, mate. ONE job."

Virat looked at him like a coach who had just seen his best player miss a full toss. "Advay, I'm actually disappointed in you. This might be worse than getting out on 99."

Marcus Stoinis leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "I can't believe this. All that build-up… for NOTHING."

Even the usually quiet Navdeep Saini muttered, "That's just embarrassing, bro."

Advay sighed, shaking his head with a small grin. "You guys are acting like I just lost us a World Cup final."

Chahal pointed a dramatic finger at him. "No. This is worse. This is a generational failure."

The entire table burst into laughter, but at the same time, their disappointment was very, very real.

As the team continued their over-the-top scolding, Advay raised his hands in mock defense, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright! First of all, I did ask her."

The table suddenly went quiet, everyone leaning in with wide eyes.

Chahal squinted. "Go on…"

Advay smirked slightly, crossing his arms. "She made a bet with me."

Virat raised an eyebrow. "A bet?"

Marcus Stoinis leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of bet?"

Advay grinned but shook his head. "I'm not disclosing that."

The entire team groaned in frustration.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Chahal threw his napkin at Advay. "You drop that bomb and then refuse to explain?! What kind of teammate are you?"

Moeen Ali sighed dramatically. "I swear, this guy just lives to keep us in suspense."

Umesh narrowed his eyes, rubbing his chin. "So… whatever this bet is, it involves you earning her number, right?"

Advay took a sip of water, then smirked. "Maybe."

The table exploded again.

"TELL US THE BET!" Chahal shouted, shaking his shoulders.

Virat sighed, shaking his head with a small smirk. "Forget it, guys. If he's this confident, it must be something ridiculous."

Chahal crossed his arms. "Fine. But just know, we're going to figure this out one way or another."

Advay leaned back casually, grinning. "Good luck with that."

The evening of April 10, 2019, was alive with energy as Chinnaswamy Stadium was packed with thousands of passionate RCB fans. The chants of "RCB! RCB!" echoed through the night, the floodlights illuminating the field where Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson stood for the toss. The moment the coin landed in RCB's favor, Virat made his decision without hesitation.

"We'll bat first."

The crowd roared in approval. Everyone knew that Chinnaswamy was a batting paradise, and with RCB's in-form lineup, a high-scoring thriller was almost guaranteed. As the teams walked off, Virat and Advay picked up their bats, exchanging a quick fist bump before stepping onto the field.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the new ball, his experience making him one of the most reliable powerplay bowlers in the IPL. He ran in smoothly, angling the first delivery full and outside off. Advay, watching it closely, leaned into a perfect straight drive, sending the ball racing past the bowler for four. The crowd exploded, setting the tone for what was about to follow.

The next ball was short and into the body. Advay reacted instantly, pulling it high over fine leg for six! The ball disappeared into the night sky before crashing into the stands. RCB was already at 10/0 after just two balls. Bhuvneshwar took a deep breath, adjusting his field. He tried a slower off-cutter, but Advay was one step ahead. With a quick stride forward, he lifted it over long-off.

Another six.

Virat, watching from the non-striker's end, just smiled, shaking his head slightly. The kid wasn't holding back. By the time the first over ended, RCB was already at 21/0, with Advay on 20 off 6 balls.

Khaleel Ahmed was given the second over, hoping to swing the ball and break the rhythm. His first ball was full and straight—a mistake. Advay flicked it effortlessly over deep midwicket for another six. The next ball was a well-directed bouncer, but Advay was ready. He rocked back, pulling it flat over square leg.

Boundaries kept flowing as Advay reached 40 within three overs, forcing SRH into early damage control. Even Rashid Khan was introduced quickly, his deadly leg-spin seen as SRH's best chance at slowing down the carnage. His first delivery was a sharp googly at 97 kmph, skidding towards off stump. But Advay read it instantly, opened the face of his bat, and guided it past short third for four.

The next ball was a classic leg-break, drifting into the pads. Advay stepped down the pitch and lifted it cleanly over long-on for six. Fifty came up in just 14 balls. The stadium was shaking, fans on their feet, flags waving wildly. Rashid tried to push in a quicker one, aiming at middle stump, but Advay got low and reverse-swept it over point for four!

Virat chuckled as he walked over between overs. "You planning on letting me bat today, or should I just enjoy the show?" Advay smirked. "You'll get your turn, skip. But not yet."

With each passing over, SRH bowlers looked more frustrated. Even Siddarth Kaul's well-executed wide yorkers couldn't stop the flow of runs. The 8th over began, and Advay was already sitting at 92. Kaul's first ball was full and wide, but Advay reached for it, opening his stance and carving it over cover for four.

The next ball was short into the body—Advay arched back and uppercut it over third man for six. Only eight runs away now.

Khaleel Ahmed came in for the 9th over, and his first ball was short. Advay pulled it viciously over midwicket. Six! The crowd was on their feet, the energy in the stadium electric.

Now just two runs away from the record.

The next ball was full, angling onto off stump. Advay took a confident stride forward and drove it past extra cover for four.

Hundred in just 29 balls.

The roar from Chinnaswamy was deafening. History had been made. Advay removed his helmet, taking a deep breath before crossing his arms and giving a small nod—the celebration made famous by Shubman Gill in his previous life. The camera zoomed in on his face, capturing the fire in his eyes.

Virat ran up, pulling him into a hug. "You absolute monster." The RCB dugout was on its feet, clapping, cheering, some even shaking their heads in disbelief. At the end of 10 overs, RCB stood at 152/0, with Advay on 107(34)* and Virat at *42(26)**.

Harsha Bhogle, still breathless from what he had just witnessed, summed it up perfectly. "This… is unreal. We are witnessing history at Chinnaswamy tonight."

As Chinnaswamy roared in celebration, Advay removed his helmet, taking a deep breath as he soaked in the moment. The RCB dugout was on its feet, players clapping, cheering, and shaking their heads in disbelief. Virat was the first to reach him, pulling him into a hug.

"You absolute monster," Virat said, still grinning as he patted Advay's back. "A 29-ball hundred? You just broke IPL history!"

Advay smirked, leaning in slightly so only Virat could hear him through the deafening crowd. "Guess what? This century just won me something else too."

Virat raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Advay, still catching his breath, chuckled. "I made a bet with Ananya."

Virat's eyes widened slightly, immediately intrigued. "A bet? What kind of bet?"

Advay smirked. "If I scored a hundred, she'd give me her number."

Virat stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter. He shook his head, grabbing Advay by the shoulder. "You cocky little—so that's why you were grinning like an idiot at dinner last night?"

Advay grinned. "Wait, there's more."

Virat tilted his head slightly, now even more interested. "Oh, this just keeps getting better. What else?"

Advay wiped some sweat off his forehead, a small glint of amusement in his eyes. "I added another clause. If I broke the record for the fastest IPL century… I get a dinner too."

Virat froze for a second, processing what he had just heard. Then, with a loud laugh, he grabbed Advay by the back of his head playfully. "You're actually insane! You planned this whole thing, didn't you?"

Advay shrugged, putting his helmet back on. "Let's just say… I don't make bets I can't win."

Virat laughed again, shaking his head as they walked back to their positions. "You better order the most expensive thing on the menu."

In the VIP stands, the energy was just as electric as it was on the field. Fans were still on their feet, buzzing with excitement after witnessing the fastest century in IPL history.

Among the crowd, Ananya sat with her friends, who were completely unaware of her recent meeting—or the bet—with Advay. As the giant screen flashed his stats, the conversation naturally shifted toward him.

One of her friends, Riya, nudged the girl next to her and grinned. "Okay, but seriously… Advay Rai is unreal. A hundred in 29 balls? What even is that?!"

Another friend, Megha, shook her head in disbelief. "I swear, this guy just came out of nowhere and is destroying every team. Where was he hiding before this IPL?"

Riya laughed. "Right? And have you noticed how effortlessly he plays? Like, he doesn't even look like he's trying. And don't even get me started on how he looks."

Megha smirked. "Oh, so we've reached that part of the discussion?"

Riya giggled, flipping her hair dramatically. "I mean, come on, he's got that serious, mysterious vibe going on. He barely talks in interviews, he just goes out, wrecks bowlers, and walks off like it's another day at work."

Megha nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and the way he plays... there's something about him. He doesn't just bat, he dominates. It's like he's playing a completely different game from everyone else."

Ananya, who had been listening quietly, rested her chin on her hand, hiding a small knowing smile. She didn't need to join the conversation—if only they knew the bet she had made with the very man they were gushing over.

Riya suddenly turned to Ananya, nudging her shoulder. "Hey, you're awfully quiet. You haven't said anything about him."

Ananya blinked, composing herself quickly before giving them a casual shrug. "What do you want me to say?"

Megha grinned. "Come on, at least admit that he's impressive."

Ananya rolled her eyes dramatically but couldn't hide her smirk. "Fine. He's… alright."

Riya scoffed. "Just alright? Ananya, did we watch the same innings?"

Ananya glanced at the giant screen again, where Advay was laughing with Virat on the field, the replays of his insane shots still being shown to the crowd. She leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, but her smirk never faded.

"I guess he's not bad," she said, her voice casual—but her eyes told a different story.

Riya leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, her eyes still glued to the massive stadium screen where Advay's replay was being shown. "Okay, but seriously… forget the cricket for a second. Have you seen the guy? He looks like he just walked out of an action movie."

Megha chuckled. "Exactly! He's got that rugged, effortless coolness. The sharp jawline, that intense look when he's focused… and don't even get me started on his hair."

Riya nodded enthusiastically. "Right?! It's like the perfect mix of messy and stylish. Not too much effort, but just enough to make it look natural. And those eyes—"

She paused for a second, then nudged Ananya playfully. "Wait, Ananya, what color are his eyes again?"

Ananya, who had been watching silently, froze for just a second before masking it with an effortless shrug. "Green."

Riya narrowed her eyes, smirking. "That was a quick answer."

Ananya rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off. "It's not that hard to remember. They stand out."

Megha sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Ugh, imagine having a guy like that just look at you with those eyes. That intensity? I swear, I'd forget how to speak."

Riya laughed. "Forget speaking, I think I'd just pass out on the spot."

Ananya, despite trying to keep a straight face, felt her lips twitch slightly. If only they knew she had spent an entire afternoon sitting next to him, talking, laughing, and making bets.

Riya glanced at Ananya again, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You sure you don't find him even a little bit attractive?"

Ananya scoffed, crossing her arms. "I never said that."

Megha gasped, eyes widening. "Ohhh, so you do think he's attractive!"

Ananya let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head with a small smirk. "All I'm saying is… I get why you guys are talking about him."

Riya clapped her hands. "That's enough! Ananya officially approves of Advay Rai's looks."

Megha giggled. "It's a big moment, guys. We should frame this conversation."

Ananya shook her head, but she couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. They had no idea.

As the match resumed, Advay continued his assault on SRH's bowling attack, punishing anything even slightly off-length. Khaleel Ahmed, looking desperate, came in for his third over, trying to pull things back.

The first ball was a wide yorker, but Advay stretched forward and sliced it over point for four. The next was short, aimed at his body, but he rocked back and hooked it effortlessly over fine leg for six.

Virat, at the other end, laughed as he clapped his gloves together. "You're unreal, man."

Advay grinned, tapping his bat on the ground as he waited for the next ball.

By the 14th over, RCB had already crossed 200, and the crowd was completely unhinged, chanting his name in perfect rhythm. Every SRH bowler looked helpless, trying different variations, but nothing was stopping him.

Then, in the 16th over, it finally happened.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, returning for his final spell, bowled a slower knuckleball on off-stump. Advay, looking to clear extra cover, misjudged the pace slightly and sliced it high into the air.

For a moment, the entire stadium held its breath.

Manish Pandey ran in from deep cover, eyes locked onto the ball. He settled under it, took a steady stance, and held on.

Silence. Then applause.

Advay looked up briefly, nodding at the fielder, before turning back toward the pavilion. The entire Chinnaswamy stood up, giving him a standing ovation.

137 runs. An innings for the ages.

As he walked off, he lifted his bat toward the fans, then toward the dugout, where his teammates clapped, cheered, and patted him on the back as he entered.

RCB still had firepower left, and AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis ensured the momentum didn't drop. The last few overs saw some stunning shots, and by the end of 20 overs, the scoreboard flashed:

RCB – 256/3.

Harsha Bhogle's voice rang through the commentary box. "What a batting display! This is the highest total of the season so far, and what an innings from Advay Rai! 137 off 58 balls—this young man is taking the IPL by storm!"