Chapter 23 : Captain??

As the camera stayed on Rahul Dravid, he picked up the squad list and began speaking.

"After months of scouting and evaluating performances, we are confident that we have built a well-balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level in the U-19 World Cup."

The room fell silent as he continued.

"The captain of the India U-19 team for the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup will be… Advay Rai."

For a split second, Advay didn't react. Then it hit him. His name had been called. Not just as a player, but as the captain.

Aditi grinned. "Well, well, looks like my little brother is leading the country now."

Arjun nodded, a proud smile on his face. "It was inevitable."

But Advay was still staring at the screen, absorbing the moment as Dravid continued.

"The vice-captain will be Shubman Gill, and the rest of the squad is as follows…"

The names rolled off: Prithvi Shaw, Harvik Desai, Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ishan Porel…

Advay barely heard the rest. His mind was still processing everything. He was going to lead India in a World Cup.

Aditi playfully nudged him. "Are you just going to sit there in shock or say something?"

Advay took a deep breath, finally turning to them. "I guess... it's time to bring the trophy home."

Later that night, as Advay sat in his room, staring at the ceiling, he still couldn't quite wrap his head around what had happened. Just a few hours ago, he was watching the team selection with his family, waiting to hear if he had made the squad. Now, he wasn't just in the team—he was leading it.

His phone buzzed on the bedside table, snapping him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen.

Rahul Dravid.

For a second, he just looked at the name. Then, taking a deep breath, he picked up the call.

"Hello, sir."

On the other end, Dravid's voice was calm and steady, just as it always was.

"Advay, congratulations. I wanted to speak with you personally."

Advay sat up a little straighter. "Thank you, sir. It's an honor."

There was a slight chuckle from Dravid. "You've earned it. I've been following your performances for Karnataka, both in red-ball and white-ball cricket. You've been exceptional. And I'm not just talking about your batting."

Advay listened closely as Dravid continued.

"I've seen how you carry yourself on the field. Your temperament, your ability to stay calm under pressure—it's rare. You don't just play well; you think ahead. You analyze situations, adapt quickly, and that's what makes a great captain."

Advay leaned forward, listening intently.

"Captaincy isn't just about scoring runs," Dravid went on. "It's about understanding the game beyond just your own performance. It's about reading the match, knowing when to attack, when to hold back, and most importantly, how to bring the best out of your team."

Advay nodded to himself, already processing what Dravid was saying.

"The U-19 World Cup isn't just another tournament," Dravid continued. "It's a stage where future greats are made. The pressure will be different. The expectations will be high. But I chose you because I know you can handle it."

There was a pause before Dravid added, "I've also seen how you take responsibility. You don't get rattled by failures. That's important. Leadership isn't about standing tall when things are going well—it's about guiding the team through the tough moments too. And I believe you have the maturity to do that."

Advay took a deep breath. This wasn't just a selection—it was a responsibility.

"I won't let you down, sir."

Dravid's voice remained steady. "I know you won't. But remember, you don't have to do everything alone. Trust your instincts, trust your team, and most importantly—enjoy the process. You've worked for this moment, Advay. Now go out there and own it."

The call ended, but Advay sat there for a long time, staring at his phone. This was real. He wasn't just part of the team—he was leading India.

He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling again, but this time, there was a small smile on his face. A challenge awaited him. And he was ready.

The morning of December 7, 2017, arrived with a cool Bengaluru breeze drifting through the Rai household. The warm golden glow of the early sun poured through the dining room windows, casting a soft light over the family as they gathered for breakfast—one last meal together before Advay left for the National Cricket Academy.

The air carried a mix of excitement, pride, and a tinge of sadness.

Ilana, his mother, placed a plate in front of him before taking a seat beside Arjun. Her emerald green eyes, so full of warmth, studied him carefully.

"Eat properly, sweetheart," she said, her tone gentle yet firm. "Once you get to the NCA, who knows if they'll feed you well enough?"

Advay smirked. "Mom, it's the National Cricket Academy, not some deserted island."

Aditi, sitting across from him, rolled her eyes. "Doesn't matter. You eat like a machine when you're training. You might end up scaring the kitchen staff over there."

Arjun chuckled, setting down his newspaper. "Well, it's a good thing he's going. Better they handle him than your mother worrying herself to exhaustion."** He glanced at Ilana knowingly, and she sighed, shaking her head.**

"How can I not worry?" she muttered. "First, he skips meals when he's training, then he forgets to rest. If I don't worry, who will?"

Advay shook his head, smiling faintly. "I'll be fine, Mom. You know I can take care of myself."

"Hmph." Ilana didn't seem convinced.

Aditi leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "So, captain saab," she teased, her lips curving into a mischievous smirk. "How does it feel knowing the entire country is about to watch your every move?"

Advay calmly took a sip of his coffee. "It's just cricket. I've been playing it all my life."

Arjun chuckled, shaking his head. "You say that now, but once you wear that India jersey in a World Cup, it'll feel different."

Advay didn't respond, but a flicker of something passed through his eyes. He knew his father was right.

Breakfast continued with the usual chatter—Aditi teasing him about the press and media attention, Ilana reminding him to take care of himself, and Arjun throwing in occasional remarks of wisdom.

But no matter how much they filled the space with conversation, the inevitable moment had arrived.

Advay's bags were already packed and waiting by the door. The time to leave had come.

Aditi got up first, stepping toward him, her usual teasing demeanor fading into something softer. For once, she didn't have a witty remark. Instead, she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Go make history," she whispered.

Advay smirked. "I plan to."

Ilana followed, cupping his face with both hands, her green eyes searching his, as if memorizing the moment.

"Be careful, my love," she murmured. "And don't forget to call."

He nodded. "I will."

Finally, Arjun stepped forward, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Make sure to enjoy the journey too, son. We're always proud of you."

With a final glance at them all, Advay picked up his bags and walked toward the car. The driver opened the door, and he slid inside.

As the car pulled away from the driveway, he saw his family standing there, watching him go.

He took one last glance at his home before turning his eyes forward. The road to the U-19 World Cup had officially begun.

Advay arrived at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), stepping out of the car with a sense of familiarity. This place had once been a dream, and now, it was his home for the next few months.

The process of signing the necessary paperwork was straightforward. The staff greeted him warmly, guiding him through the formalities—accommodation details, training schedules, and player protocols. As he signed the last document, the realization truly hit him—this was it. The U-19 World Cup journey had officially begun.

With the formalities done, he made his way toward Rahul Dravid's office. The hallways were quiet—he was the first player to arrive. The rest of the squad was scheduled to come in the next day, but for now, it was just him.

He reached the office, knocking lightly before stepping inside.

Rahul Dravid sat behind his desk, calm and composed as always. He looked up and smiled.

"Advay, good to see you."

Advay nodded, taking a seat across from him. "Likewise, sir."

Dravid leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. "How was the journey?"

"Smooth," Advay replied. "Feels good to be back here."

Dravid nodded. "Good. You're early, which doesn't surprise me. The rest of the team arrives tomorrow, but I wanted to speak with you before things got busy."

Advay sat attentively, knowing that whatever Dravid had to say was important.

"This is a big responsibility, Advay," Dravid continued. "You've played at high levels already—Ranji, domestic tournaments—but leading India at a World Cup is a different kind of pressure. It's not just about your performance anymore. It's about guiding the entire team."

Advay nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, sir."

Dravid studied him for a moment before a slight smile appeared. "I know you do. That's why you're here."

He leaned back, folding his arms. "For the next few weeks, I want you to focus not just on your game, but on understanding your teammates. You'll have a group of extremely talented players, but talent alone doesn't win tournaments. Chemistry, leadership, and decision-making do."

Advay absorbed every word, his mind already strategizing.

Dravid continued, "Tomorrow, we'll officially start preparing. Until then, settle in, rest up. Once the team arrives, things will move fast."

Advay stood up, shaking Dravid's hand. "I'll be ready, sir."

Dravid smiled. "I expect nothing less."

With that, Advay left the office, heading toward his dorm. Tomorrow, the real work would begin.

he morning of December 8, 2017, was filled with anticipation at the National Cricket Academy. The sky was clear, and the early winter air was crisp as the India U-19 squad gathered at the training ground.

The players were already warming up, doing light stretches, jogging, and chatting amongst themselves. But despite their casual demeanor, an unspoken curiosity hung in the air. Their new captain had yet to arrive.

"So… when's our leader making his grand entrance?" Prithvi Shaw asked, rolling his shoulders as he glanced at Shubman Gill.

"No clue," Gill replied, tying his shoelaces. "Coach probably has him in a meeting."

A few players exchanged looks. Everyone knew the name Advay Rai. The guy who had smashed record after record in domestic cricket, dominated in the Ranji Trophy, and topped the charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And now, at just 17, he was their captain for the World Cup.

Yet, despite his reputation, none of them had ever met him in person.

"I've seen his highlights," Abhishek Sharma muttered, grabbing a ball and tossing it in the air. "Dude plays like a machine. No expressions, no celebrations. Hits a cover drive, then just walks back like he's in a practice session."

"Yeah, even when he scores a hundred, he barely reacts," Riyan Parag added. "Like it's just another day in the office."

"That's what makes him scary," Shivam Mavi chimed in. "If he's that calm on the field, imagine what he's like under pressure."

Pankaj Yadav, the young spinner, leaned in. "Okay, but has anyone actually spoken to him? Like, ever?"

Silence. Not a single player had.

"You know," Pankaj Yadav said, tossing a ball up and catching it, "I heard Advay played for India when he was just 14. That's crazy."

"Wait, what?" Arshdeep Singh turned to him. "You mean he's already played senior international cricket?"

"Not exactly," Shubman Gill said, adjusting his gloves. "He played in a few unofficial matches and some India A games when he was 14. But yeah, he's faced international-level bowlers before any of us even got close to the U-19 setup."

Prithvi Shaw whistled. "Man, I was struggling with school exams when I was 14, and this guy was out there playing against professionals."

"That explains a lot," Abhishek Sharma muttered. "The way he carries himself, how he always looks so calm... It makes sense now. He's already been through way more pressure than any of us."

Riyan Parag crossed his arms. "I still can't believe none of us have actually met him. We've all heard about him, seen his stats, but we don't even know what he's like in person."

"Guess we're about to find out," Shivam Mavi said, nodding toward the entrance as Rahul Dravid and Advay finally walked onto the field.