Chapter 24 : Towards New Zealand

As Advay and Rahul Dravid walked toward the training ground, the players, who had only seen him in highlights and interviews, finally got a clear look at him in real life.

And the moment they did, a few of them exchanged glances.

Advay looked even more striking in person than he did on screen.

His emerald green eyes seemed almost unnatural in their intensity, glowing with a sharpness that made them impossible to ignore. They weren't just bright—they carried a depth, a quiet confidence, making it hard to tell whether he was analyzing everything around him or simply indifferent.

His porcelain-white skin, inherited from his Russian mother, gave him an almost regal appearance, contrasting sharply against his thick, jet-black hair that flowed back effortlessly. There was no need for styling—it simply fell into place, adding to his sophisticated and effortless charm.

And then, there was his physique.

Though only 17, Advay was already built like a professional athlete. His shoulders were broad, his arms toned, and his posture was effortlessly upright, giving him a commanding presence. The way he walked—**calm, deliberate, not a hint of nervousness or hesitation—**made it clear that this was someone who knew exactly who he was.

There was no arrogance in his demeanor, just pure composure.

Shubman Gill raised an eyebrow. "Yeah… he definitely looks like a captain."

Riyan Parag nodded slowly. "Forget captain, man… He looks like he walked out of some royal palace."

Pankaj Yadav exhaled. "We're about to play under a guy who looks like he was made in a lab."

Abhishek Sharma smirked. "I just hope he plays as good as he looks."

Prithvi Shaw, who had been silent until now, simply crossed his arms and said, "Something tells me we won't be disappointed."

As Advay finally reached them, all eyes were locked on him.

The captain had arrived.

As Advay and Rahul Dravid reached the training ground, the players instinctively straightened up, their quiet conversations fading as their coach finally stepped forward to address them.

Dravid's calm yet authoritative voice filled the air.

"Alright, boys, the squad is complete now. You've all been chosen for a reason. Each one of you has the talent and skill to represent India at the highest level, and this tournament is your first big step."

He looked around at the team, his gaze steady.

"But talent alone doesn't win World Cups. Discipline, teamwork, and commitment do. From today onward, every session, every match simulation, every single effort you put in should be with one goal in mind—bringing that trophy home."

The players nodded, their focus sharpening.

Dravid then turned slightly, gesturing toward Advay.

"And leading you in this journey is your captain, Advay Rai. I'm sure many of you already know about his performances, but now, you'll get to know him as your leader."

Dravid stepped back, and all eyes shifted to Advay.

Advay took a step forward, his emerald green eyes scanning the team, his expression calm but firm.

He let a brief pause settle before speaking, his voice even and controlled.

"I don't need to introduce myself. You already know my name, but I'll tell you what I expect from this team."**

He crossed his arms, his tone unwavering.

"We are not here just to participate. We are here to win. But winning isn't just about big scores and wickets. It's about staying composed under pressure, supporting each other, and giving 100% in every single match—whether we're dominating or struggling."

His gaze moved across the faces of his teammates, making sure each of them understood the weight of his words.

"I don't care if we lose a match. What I care about is how we lose. If we fight till the last ball, if we give everything we have, then we'll walk off with our heads high. But if we fall apart, if we panic, if we let pressure get to us—then we've already lost."

A few players exchanged glances, taking in his words.

"This team will play fearless cricket," Advay continued. "If we have a bad game, we move on. If someone makes a mistake, we back them up. No one plays for themselves here—we play for each other, and we play for India."

His voice didn't waver, his tone carrying a quiet intensity.

"So, if you're here to play it safe, to just go through the motions, this isn't the team for you. But if you're ready to fight, if you're ready to push yourself beyond your limits, then I promise you—I'll lead from the front."

Silence.

Then, Shubman Gill smirked slightly, nudging Prithvi Shaw. "Alright, I like him."

Prithvi just nodded. "Yeah… this guy means business."

Dravid, watching from the side, gave a satisfied nod.

Advay finally took a step back, hands in his pockets. "That's all I have to say. Let's get to work."

The U-19 team had just met their captain. And they knew one thing for certain—this wasn't going to be an ordinary tournament.

After an intense first training session, the team made their way toward the NCA cafeteria, tired but still buzzing with energy. It was their first official day training together as a squad, and while the session had been physically demanding, there was an undeniable excitement in the air.

As the players entered, they naturally split off into smaller groups, grabbing trays and heading toward different tables. Some sat with old friends, others drifted toward teammates they were already familiar with.

But before anyone could get too comfortable, a voice cut through the cafeteria noise.

"Oi, where are you all going?"

The players turned to see Advay standing near the entrance, arms crossed, his emerald-green eyes scanning the room.

"We eat together."

There was a brief pause, some players exchanging confused glances. A few looked toward Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, who just shrugged, while others turned their attention back to Advay.

"You serious?" Riyan Parag asked, raising an eyebrow.

Advay didn't waver. "Very."

Shubman smirked, nudging Abhishek Sharma. "Well, looks like we've got a captain who actually acts like one."

Slowly but surely, the players started to gather at one long table, shifting seats around to make room for everyone. Some weren't sure about the whole 'team meal' rule, but no one questioned it—Advay had already established that when he spoke, people listened.

As the players settled in, Riyan Parag leaned forward, glancing at Advay. "Alright, so what's with this rule? We train together, now we have to eat together too?"

Advay, who had just taken a bite of food, looked up calmly. "Exactly."

Shivam Mavi raised an eyebrow. "And you think sitting at the same table will help us play better?"

Advay leaned back in his chair, placing his fork down. "It's about trust," he said simply. "On the field, we rely on each other in high-pressure moments. But trust isn't built just by playing cricket. It's built in moments like this—where we talk, joke, and actually get to know each other."

Some players nodded, considering his words.

"Think about it," Advay continued. "If you know the guy sitting next to you, if you actually care about him beyond just being a teammate, you fight harder for him in a match. You back him up, you push yourself more, because you're not just playing for yourself—you're playing for the team."

Anukul Roy, who had been quiet until now, muttered, "Makes sense. A team that actually likes each other plays better together."

"Exactly," Advay said, taking a sip of water. "So get used to it. Breakfast and dinner are team meals from now on."

Shubman Gill chuckled, shaking his head. "You're stricter than Dravid sir."

Advay smirked. "Not strict. Just making sure we win."

That got a few laughs, and the atmosphere at the table slowly became lighter, more relaxed. What had started as a team full of talented individuals was already beginning to feel like a unit.

As the meal went on, the cafeteria filled with banter, inside jokes, and casual teasing. Conversations about cricket mixed with random stories from their personal lives, and by the time they finished eating, the awkwardness of being a 'new team' had started to fade.

Advay sat back, observing the scene with a small, satisfied smile.

The practice leading up to the tournament had been intense, pushing the players to their limits. Every session was designed to prepare them for the high-pressure games ahead, ensuring that when they landed in New Zealand, they would be ready to compete at their best.

Now, on January 3, 2018, the India U-19 team was seated in the plane, heading toward New Zealand. The long flight would give them time to relax before the final phase of their preparations began.

Some players were chatting, while others were already dozing off, trying to adjust to the time difference in advance.

Shubman Gill leaned toward Advay. "So, Captain, what's the first thing you're gonna do when we land?"

Advay smirked slightly, glancing out the window at the endless sky. "Get used to the conditions. Then win."

Shubman chuckled. "Straight to business, huh?"

Prithvi Shaw, sitting behind them, stretched his arms. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. But before all that, I just want a proper meal. Airplane food is a crime."

The team laughed, easing into a relaxed conversation. "So, Group B, huh?" Riyan Parag muttered, scrolling through his phone. "Australia, Zimbabwe, and Papua New Guinea. What do you guys think?"

"Australia will be tough," Shubman Gill said. "They always are. They play aggressive cricket, and they've got some solid pacers."

"Zimbabwe isn't bad either," Abhishek Sharma added. "They've been improving, and their squad looks decent this year."

"And Papua New Guinea?" Shivam Mavi asked. "They're the underdogs, but we shouldn't take them lightly."

Advay, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "It doesn't matter who we're playing. If we play our game, we'll win."

The team nodded, knowing he was right.

"By the way," Arshdeep Singh said, leaning back in his seat, "our senior team is also here for the next two months, playing against England."

"Yeah," Prithvi Shaw nodded. "A full Test, ODI, and T20 series. It's gonna be interesting watching them while we're here."

"Maybe we'll get to meet some of the guys," Pankaj Yadav grinned. "Imagine getting advice from Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma."

"Or Bumrah," Kamlesh Nagarkoti added. "I wouldn't mind picking his brain about fast bowling."

Shubman smirked, nudging Advay. "What about you? If you could meet anyone from the senior team, who would it be?"

Advay shrugged. "Doesn't really matter. If I perform, I'll be playing with them soon enough."

The team laughed, shaking their heads. Classic Advay—calm, confident, and always focused on the bigger picture.

The conversations continued, but in the back of everyone's minds, there was only one goal—winning the U-19 World Cup.

The India U-19 team finally landed in Auckland, New Zealand, after the long-haul flight. As they stepped out of the airport, they were greeted by the cool summer breeze, a stark contrast to the Indian winter they had left behind.

After clearing immigration and baggage claim, they made their way to the team bus, which would take them to their hotel. The streets of Auckland were clean and modern, with a mix of skyscrapers and waterfront views.

As the players settled into their seats, Riyan Parag stretched his arms and yawned. "Man, I feel like I just fought in a war."

"That's what a 16-hour flight does to you," Shubman Gill replied, adjusting his cap.

"At least the weather's nice," Shivam Mavi said, looking out the window. "Not too hot, not too cold."

"And most importantly," Abhishek Sharma added, "we can finally get some real food."

The bus erupted in laughter. Airplane food had not been kind to them.

After a short ride, they arrived at their hotel—The Hilton Auckland. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a sleek, modern lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor.

The team staff helped them check-in, and soon, everyone received their room keys.

Advay, Riyan, and Shubman were assigned as roommates.

As they entered their room, Riyan immediately threw himself onto the couch. "Finally! A real bed!"

"You realize that's the couch, right?" Shubman raised an eyebrow.

"I don't care," Riyan mumbled. "It's not an airplane seat. That's all that matters."

Advay chuckled as he set his bag down. "You guys act like we just walked across the entire Pacific Ocean."

"Might as well have," Shubman sighed, stretching. "My back is destroyed."

Advay walked over to the balcony and glanced outside. The harbor stretched out before them, the sun beginning to set over the water. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air.

"This place isn't bad," he said, turning back toward them.

Shubman smirked. "'Not bad'? Dude, we're staying in one of the best hotels in the city."

"Alright, alright, it's nice," Advay admitted, shaking his head.

Riyan peeked up from the couch. "So… we ordering room service, or are we actually going out for dinner?"

"Let's go down and check out the restaurant," Advay suggested. "No way I'm eating another pre-packaged meal."

"Now that's the best idea you've had all day," Shubman grinned, grabbing his phone.

With that, the three of them freshened up and headed downstairs, looking forward to a relaxed evening before their final phase of preparation began.