The GOAT of Cricket

*April 17, 2017 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore*

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**Scene 1: The Build-Up**

The Chinnaswamy buzzed with unspoken tension. RCB were coming off a loss. The media had begun to stir.

**"Ishaan Verma's technique cracked by spin?"**

**"Glamour fading fast?"**

Ishaan sat alone in the dressing room, bat across his lap. He tied and retied his gloves.

**Inner Monologue:**

> *This pitch won't turn. This pitch wants fire. I'm done playing defense against noise.*

ABD walked past, patting his shoulder.

"Storm's coming, Ishu. Ride it. Don't hide from it."

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**Scene 2: Sunrisers Set the Target**

Warner smashed 72.

Yuvraj, in vintage touch, scored 41 off 25.

Bhuvneshwar and Mustafizur ended the innings with flair.

**Sunrisers: 190/5**

Commentary (Simon Doull):

> "This is a stiff total, even on this pitch. Sunrisers have teeth."

Kohli turned to Ishaan in the dugout:

"We don't need a superhero. We need a stubborn lion."

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**Scene 3: The Chase Begins**

Gayle perished early.

Kohli struggled against Bhuvneshwar's swing.

Ishaan walked in at 18/1.

**Crowd Chant:**

> "VERMAAA! VERMAAA!"

**Over 3.4: Bhuvneshwar to Ishaan**

Outswinger. Beaten.

**Over 3.5: Bhuvneshwar to Ishaan**

Short. Rising.

**Ishaan pulls—crack!**

Ball flies over deep square leg.

**SIX!**

Crowd ERUPTS.

He turns. Points to the sky.

**Stadium Chants:**

> "ISHAAAAAAAN! ISHAAAAAAN!"

ABD claps furiously from the dugout.

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**Scene 4: Acceleration Mode**

Over 6.3: Mustafizur to Ishaan

Slow bouncer. Read early. Pulled behind square.

**FOUR!**

Over 8.1: Rashid Khan to Ishaan

Leg-break. Flighted.

**Danced down. Lofted over long-off. SIX!**

Over 10.4: Henriques to Ishaan

Straight ball. Flicked off the pads.

**FOUR!**

**Ishaan reaches 50 off 29 balls.**

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**Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):**

> "This is a man who listened to the noise, and chose to answer with silence and shot-making."

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**Scene 5: Finishing Touches**

Over 16.2: Bhuvneshwar to Ishaan

Yorker. Dug out. Two runs.

Over 18.1: Mustafizur to Ishaan

Cutter. Read early. Stepped outside off.

**Lofted over cover. FOUR!**

Over 18.3: Mustafizur to Ishaan

Short.

**Hooked! Massive SIX over square leg!**

**Crowd Reaction:**

> Thunderous. Red smoke flares. Firecrackers pop.

Ishaan raises his bat.

Points again to the sky.

On the big screen:

**"Ishaan Verma: 87* off 49. Strike Rate: 177.55"*\*

RCB chase down the target with 7 balls to spare.

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**Scene 6: The Aftermath**

In the dressing room, Kohli wraps an arm around Ishaan.

"That wasn't redemption.

That was reinvention."

ABD joins in: "Now you know how to answer without words."

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**Scene 7: Late Night Scroll**

Ishaan sits in the hotel room, damp hair, ice pack on his shoulder.

His phone buzzes.

**Instagram Notification:** *Emma Watson tagged you in a story.*

He opens it.

**Black-and-white photo of him mid-hook, back arched, eyes locked on ball.**

Caption:

**"Grit."**

He puts the phone down.

Stares at the ceiling.

**Inner Monologue:**

> *Let them write headlines. I'll write moments.*

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