Chapter 19 : Debut

The morning of March 20, 2015, the India U-19 squad gathered in the team conference room inside their hotel. The air was filled with quiet anticipation as the players took their seats, some chatting casually, others waiting in silence.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and Ishan Kishan and Rahul Dravid walked in.

Instantly, all conversation died down.

Dravid stood at the front, his expression calm yet serious. "Alright, boys, we've put in a solid week of training, and now it's time to finalize the playing XI for the first T20 against New Zealand."

Ishan took a step forward, unfolding a sheet of paper. "Here's the team for the first match."

The players sat up straighter, all eyes on him.

Ishan began reading.

"Opening the batting—Advay Rai and me."

A few heads turned toward Advay, who remained as composed as ever. An opener. He had expected it, but hearing it confirmed made it real.

"At No. 3, Rishabh Pant—our vice-captain."

Rishabh grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Ah, yes. I shall carry us all."

"No. 4, Sarfaraz Khan."

Sarfaraz nodded, cracking his knuckles.

"No. 5, Washington Sundar."

Washington simply gave a small smile.

Ishan continued down the order, naming the remaining batters and bowlers, with Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed leading the pace attack.

Once the full XI was announced, Dravid looked around the room. "This is the squad we're going with for the first game. That doesn't mean the rest of you won't get a chance, but we need to start strong. You've trained hard—now it's about execution."

He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, "Play with confidence, play as a team, and most importantly—enjoy the game."

Ishan clapped his hands together. "Alright, boys, let's make it count."

The team dispersed, some players congratulating each other, others already discussing strategies. The countdown to their first match had truly begun.

The match day had finally arrived. Eden Park was packed, the stands brimming with excitement as cricket fans from both India and New Zealand filled the seats.

The atmosphere was electric. Indian supporters, many of whom lived in Auckland, had come out in numbers, waving the tricolor flag proudly, while New Zealand fans, dressed in black, were equally passionate, ready to back their young team.

The two captains, Ishan Kishan and Josh Finnie, walked confidently to the center of the field for the toss. The commentators greeted them, microphones in hand, as the stadium's big screen focused on the moment.

The match referee held up the coin. "Ishan, your call."

Ishan nodded. "Heads."

The coin spun in the air before landing. Heads it was.

India had won the toss.

The commentator turned to Ishan. "Ishan, congratulations on winning the toss. What's the decision?"

Ishan smiled. "We'll bat first."

"Any particular reason?" the commentator asked.

Ishan nodded. "Looks like a good surface to bat on. The sun's out, conditions are dry, and we want to put runs on the board and put pressure on New Zealand while chasing."

"Confidence in your batting lineup?"

Ishan smirked slightly. "Of course. We've trained well, and the boys are ready. Hoping for a strong start."

The commentator then turned to Josh Finnie. "Josh, your thoughts on losing the toss?"

Josh Finnie shrugged. "Would've batted first as well, but we're happy to bowl first. We've got a solid bowling attack, and if we get a few early wickets, we can put them under pressure."

"Any particular players to watch out for today?"

Josh smiled. "We back our entire team, but obviously, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra are key for us. Looking forward to the contest."

With that, the two captains shook hands and headed back to their teams.

The stage was set.

As the Indian openers, Ishan Kishan and Advay Rai, picked up their bats and walked toward the field, the crowd roared in anticipation. The India U-19 team was ready to put on a show.

As the Indian openers, Ishan Kishan and Advay Rai, walked onto the field, a loud cheer erupted from the Indian fans scattered across Eden Park. While Ishan was already a well-known name in U-19 cricket, the real intrigue lay with his partner—Advay Rai, a debutant on the international stage.

The commentators scanned their notes, trying to find something on the young opener.

Commentator 1: "All eyes will be on the explosive Ishan Kishan, but what do we know about his opening partner, Advay Rai? A debutant here on the U-19 international stage."

Commentator 2: "Not much, to be honest. He's played in India's domestic tournaments but hasn't been in the spotlight. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of this big stage."

As the New Zealand team took their positions, Josh Finnie set the field aggressively, hoping for an early breakthrough. Zak Gibson took the new ball, running in with purpose as the crowd fell silent in anticipation.

The first over was all about caution and observation. Zak Gibson pitched it on a good length, testing Ishan's patience outside off-stump. Ishan, experienced in these situations, let the first two deliveries go before steering the third ball to deep third man for a single.

That brought Advay on strike for the first time in international cricket.

Commentator 1: "And here comes the young man, Advay Rai, facing his first-ever delivery for India U-19."

Zak Gibson charged in, delivering a sharp back-of-a-length ball outside off. Advay watched it closely, letting it go to the keeper. The next delivery was straighter, and he met it with a solid forward defense.

Commentator 2: "Looks composed so far. Not rushing into anything."

The first boundary of the match came in the third over. Nathan Smith bowled a full-length ball angling in on leg stump, and Ishan glanced it effortlessly past fine leg for four.

In the next over, Advay got his first boundary in international cricket.

Zak Gibson bowled a slightly overpitched delivery outside off, and Advay, with minimal foot movement but perfect timing, drove it elegantly through the covers.

Commentator 1: "Oh, now that's a classy shot! A full delivery, and Advay Rai just leans into it and threads it through the gap. First boundary in international cricket, and that'll give him confidence!"

By the fifth over, India had reached 38/0, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries.

In the sixth over, Finn Allen came in with his off-spin, hoping to break the stand.

On the very first ball, he tossed one up, giving it air. Advay took a step forward and lifted it cleanly over extra cover for four.

Commentator 2: "There's intent! Stepping out and playing through the line. He's showing some confidence now."

Next over, Nathan Smith bowled a short-pitched delivery, and Ishan pounced on it, rocking back and pulling it over midwicket for six!

Commentator 1: "Oh, that's been dispatched! Short and into the arc, and Ishan absolutely hammers it over the ropes!"

In the eighth over, Rachin Ravindra was brought into the attack. The left-arm spinner tried darting one in on leg-stump, but Advay adjusted beautifully, opening the face of the bat and guiding it past backward point for four.

Commentator 2: "That's a clever shot! Used the pace, just guided it to the boundary. This young man is looking more and more comfortable."

The ninth over saw another beautiful stroke from Advay. Ben Sears bowled a short-of-a-length ball outside off, and Advay, showing quick reflexes, played an uppercut over third man for a one-bounce four.

Commentator 1: "That's pure instinct! Short, outside off, and Advay just rides the bounce and ramps it over third man. Risky, but executed perfectly!"

By the end of the 10th over, India had reached 67/0, a commanding position with both openers well set.

Commentator 2: "That's the powerplay done! India sitting comfortably at 67 for no loss. A solid, controlled start by the openers."

Commentator 1: "And how about this young man, Advay Rai? On debut, and he's looked so composed, so assured in his strokeplay. He's making an impression already!"

Commentator 2: "Absolutely! A perfect platform set here. If these two keep going, New Zealand will have a big problem on their hands."

The first 10 overs had gone completely in India's favor, and now, with both openers settled, the real acceleration was about to begin.

By the end of the 10th over, India had reached 67/0, with both openers looking well set.

Advay Rai: 31(28)* (5 fours)Ishan Kishan: 33(32)* (3 fours, 1 six)

Commentator 1: "That's the powerplay done! India sitting comfortably at 67 for no loss. A solid, controlled start by the openers."

Commentator 2: "And how about this young man, Advay Rai? On debut, and he's looked so composed, so assured in his strokeplay. He's making an impression already!"

Commentator 1: "Absolutely! A perfect platform set here. If these two keep going, New Zealand will have a big problem on their hands."

The first 10 overs had gone completely in India's favor, and now, with both openers settled, the real acceleration was about to begin.

As the 11th over began, Ishan and Advay exchanged a quick glance. They had built the perfect platform, and now it was time to accelerate. The New Zealand bowlers, already under pressure, found themselves at the receiving end of an absolute onslaught.

Finn Allen continued his off-spin, floating one up just outside off. Advay took a confident step forward and launched it over long-off for six.

Commentator 1: "And there it goes! Advay Rai steps out and sends it sailing into the stands! The young man is showing some serious intent now!"

Commentator 2: "That was a lovely shot! He picked the flight early, got to the pitch of the ball, and lifted it straight through the line. India is shifting gears here!"

Nathan Smith returned in the next over, looking to break the opening stand, but Ishan was in no mood to slow down. The pacer banged one in short, and Ishan rocked back and pulled it ferociously over deep square leg for six.

Commentator 1: "Oh, that's been HAMMERED! Ishan Kishan picks the length early, and that's into the crowd!"

Commentator 2: "It was a risky length from Smith, and Ishan took full advantage. New Zealand needs a breakthrough soon, or this could get ugly!"

By the 15th over, both batters had reached their half-centuries. Advay was on 58 off 40 balls, while Ishan had raced to 72 off 45. India was cruising at 135 for no loss, and the New Zealand fielders looked increasingly helpless.

Josh Finnie, desperate for a breakthrough, threw the ball to Ben Sears. The pacer charged in, bowled a full delivery outside off, and Advay opened the face of the bat to guide it past deep third man for four.

Commentator 1: "Oh, that is a thing of beauty! Just a gentle touch, using the pace—Advay Rai is looking like a proper player!"

Commentator 2: "It's such a classy shot. No power, just pure timing and placement. He's making an incredible debut here!"

Sears, frustrated, decided to go short on the next ball. Advay was ready. He shifted his weight back and ramped it over fine leg for six.

Commentator 1: "What a shot! Short ball, and Advay just lifts it over fine leg. The confidence on this young man!"

Commentator 2: "The moment Sears went short, Advay knew what to do. Perfect execution. He is absolutely thriving on this big stage!"

At the other end, Ishan was dismantling Zak Gibson in the 18th over. Three consecutive boundaries followed—a cover drive, a powerful pull shot, and a lofted straight drive.

By the start of the final over, India was 186 for no loss.

The first ball of the last over saw Advay pull out his signature scoop shot. He got down low and lifted it over fine leg for six, leaving the New Zealand fielders stunned.

Commentator 1: "Oh, that's outrageous! The scoop shot—right out of the AB de Villiers playbook!"

Commentator 2: "How audacious is that? He's playing like he's been here for years! What a talent!"

Ishan followed it up with another six, a flat-batted hit over extra cover, bringing up the 200-run mark.

One ball remained, and Advay was on 98. The bowler ran in, looking to stop him from reaching three figures, but bowled a full delivery on the pads. Advay flicked it powerfully over midwicket for four, raising his bat as he completed a century on debut.

Commentator 1: "What a moment! A debut century for Advay Rai! He's announced himself on the world stage in stunning fashion!"

Commentator 2: "What a knock! He has batted with so much composure, elegance, and power. This is a future star in the making!"

India finished at 197 for no loss in 20 overs. Advay remained unbeaten on 102 off 55 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes, while Ishan scored 91 off 65 with 8 fours and 4 sixes.

Commentator 1: "This is an incredible opening stand! 197 runs without losing a wicket—India has completely dominated this first innings!"

Commentator 2: "Advay Rai, on debut, has played a dream knock! Ishan Kishan, the experienced captain, played the perfect anchor and aggressor when needed. New Zealand has a massive chase ahead!"

As the Indian players walked off to a standing ovation, New Zealand's bowlers looked drained. The pressure was now on their batters to chase down a mammoth total.