Chapter 32 : First love

As the training session wrapped up, the players slowly made their way toward the dugout, chatting and cooling down after an intense practice. Advay, still holding his ball, was wiping the sweat off his face when Ashish Nehra walked up beside him, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Walk with me, kid," Nehra said, motioning for Advay to follow.

They strolled toward the side of the practice ground, away from the noise of the other players. Nehra's sharp eyes were locked onto Advay, analyzing him as if he were a puzzle he was about to solve.

"You've got something special, no doubt about that," Nehra began. "But there are a few things I need to point out."

Advay listened attentively as Nehra continued.

"First thing—your action is almost perfect, but you're losing a bit of momentum at the last step before release. It's small, but at your level, small details make a big difference."

Advay nodded. "So, what do I need to do?"

Nehra smirked. "Fix your landing foot positioning slightly. You plant it a bit too straight, which takes away some of the force you generate in your run-up. If you adjust that, you'll gain more pace effortlessly."

Advay absorbed the information. It made sense. He had always relied on his explosive upper body strength for pace, but if he could optimize his leg drive, his speed would increase naturally.

"But that's not all," Nehra continued. "Your wrist position is good, but when you go for the outswinger, your seam wobbles slightly. That's why sometimes the ball doesn't move as much as you want it to. We'll tweak that in the next few sessions."

Advay rolled the ball in his fingers, testing the wrist position. "Got it."

Then Nehra grinned. "And one more thing—pace."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

Nehra's eyes gleamed. "Right now, you're bowling 135 to 145 kmph consistently. But you've got the physique, the aggression, and the natural strength to go higher." He patted Advay's shoulder. "Before this IPL ends, I'm going to make sure you hit 150 kmph."

A small smirk formed on Advay's lips. "That's a big claim."

Nehra chuckled. "Trust me, kid. I've worked with a lot of bowlers. You've got everything you need to get there. You just don't know it yet."

Advay nodded. "Then let's make it happen."

Nehra grinned. "That's the spirit."

As they turned back toward the dugout, Advay felt something shift inside him.

He had come into this IPL as a batting all-rounder. But now?

By the time this season ended, he would be a genuine fast-bowling threat.

A few days after the intense training sessions had begun, the RCB management arranged a team dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Bengaluru. It was a chance for the players to bond outside the cricket field, unwind, and get to know each other better before the season officially began.

The restaurant's private dining area was reserved exclusively for the RCB squad and staff. The ambiance was warm, filled with the scent of rich Indian and continental cuisine. Players arrived in casual outfits, a refreshing change from their usual cricket gear.

Advay walked in alongside Navdeep Saini and Umesh Yadav, taking in the sight of his teammates already chatting and laughing. At the center of it all, as expected, was Virat Kohli, engaged in a conversation with AB de Villiers and Gary Kirsten.

As Advay found his seat, Yuzvendra Chahal, who was seated nearby, smirked. "Oh look, the ₹11 crore superstar has arrived."

Chris Gayle, sipping on his drink, chuckled. "Man, you gotta stop calling him that. Kid's gonna get used to it."

Advay leaned back with a small smirk. "I don't mind. Just means I have ₹11 crores worth of expectations to crush this season."

A few players whistled at his confidence, while Virat, overhearing the exchange, smirked.

As the dinner went on, conversations flowed easily. The team discussed everything from cricket strategies to random stories from past IPL seasons.

At one point, AB de Villiers turned to Advay. "So, we've seen how you play. But tell me something—who's the toughest bowler you've ever faced?"

Advay thought for a moment before answering. "In a match? Haven't really faced international bowlers yet. But in the nets? Sunil Gavaskar made me face prime Steyn and Bumrah ball machines every day. So, I'd say Dale Steyn's outswingers and Bumrah's yorkers were the toughest."

The table fell silent for a second before Chris Gayle burst out laughing. "Wait, wait—you trained against Steyn's pace and Bumrah's yorkers as a kid?"

Advay nodded casually. "Every single day for five years."

Chahal shook his head in disbelief. "Bro, that explains way too much."

Virat chuckled, looking at AB. "Well, you wanted to know why his game looks so polished? There's your answer."

The dinner continued with more laughter, stories, and light-hearted teasing. By the end of the night, one thing was clear—Advay wasn't just another young player in the squad.

He was already being treated like one of them.

As the team continued enjoying their dinner, the conversation took a more relaxed and entertaining turn. Yuzvendra Chahal, always the life of the party, suddenly leaned forward, smirking.

"Alright, alright, forget cricket for a second. I need to tell you guys something important," he announced, getting everyone's attention.

Chris Gayle raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What now, Chahal? You finally learned how to bowl a delivery that doesn't get smashed for six?"

The table burst into laughter, while Chahal dramatically placed a hand on his chest. "Bhai, why do you always attack me like this?"

AB de Villiers chuckled. "Alright, what is it?"

Chahal grinned. "I was actually going to tell you all how I met my girlfriend."

A few players whistled, while Navdeep Saini clapped. "Chahal in a relationship? That's bigger news than the IPL auction!"

Virat smirked. "Alright, let's hear it."

Chahal cleared his throat, enjoying the attention. "So, picture this… I was scrolling through Instagram one night—just minding my own business—when I saw this beautiful girl. I'm talking next-level gorgeous. And I thought, 'This is it. This is the one.'"

Umesh Yadav leaned forward. "Wait, wait—so you just DM'd her?"

Chahal nodded proudly. "Of course! I sent a message saying, 'Hey, I think you dropped something—my jaw.'"

The entire table groaned as Chris Gayle burst into laughter. "No way, man! That's the worst pick-up line ever!"

Advay shook his head. "And she actually replied to that?"

Chahal smirked. "See, that's where my charm comes in. She laughed at the message, and from there, we just kept talking. One thing led to another, and boom—we've been together ever since."

Umesh clapped his hands together. "Boys, this man just proved that confidence is everything."

Quinton de Kock, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "So, when's the wedding?"

Chahal raised a finger. "Easy there, mate. One step at a time."

The entire team erupted into laughter, enjoying the moment.

Virat shook his head, still chuckling. "Only you, Chahal. Only you."

As the laughter died down, Chahal, still riding the attention, smirked and turned toward Virat.

"Acha, enough about me," he said, leaning forward. "Virat bhai, why don't you tell us your love story? How did you and Bhabhi meet?"

The table instantly erupted with excitement.

"Yes, yes! We need to hear this!" Chris Gayle grinned, rubbing his hands together.

"Captain's romance story? This should be good." AB de Villiers chuckled.

Virat, who had been casually sipping water, raised an eyebrow as he looked around at the expectant faces. He let out a small sigh but couldn't hide the slight smile that appeared on his lips.

"You guys really want to know?" he asked, leaning back.

"Of course!" Navdeep Saini said eagerly. "We've heard so many rumors, but we want to hear the real story from you."

Virat chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, fine." He placed his glass down and crossed his arms.

"It all started back in 2013, when I was asked to do a shampoo ad."

Chris Gayle immediately burst into laughter. "Wait, wait—you met Anushka Sharma because of a shampoo ad?!"

The table exploded with laughter, and even Advay smirked.

Virat rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yes, man. That's how it started. We were paired together for the shoot. I was nervous because she was a big Bollywood star, and I had never really worked with an actress before."

Chahal leaned in, grinning. "So, what did you say to her first?"

Virat laughed. "I still remember—I walked up to her, and the first thing I said was, 'You're wearing heels, right?'"

The team erupted again, with AB de Villiers shaking his head. "Seriously, that was your opening line?"

Virat shrugged. "I was trying to be funny. I was nervous, man! But luckily, she laughed, and that kind of broke the ice."

Advay smirked. "So, the King of chasing totals was nervous about talking to a girl?"

Virat pointed at him. "Listen here, mini ABD, there's a difference between facing fast bowlers and talking to someone like Anushka Sharma."

The table roared with laughter, while Advay simply smirked.

"So, what happened next?" Quinton de Kock asked, still entertained.

Virat continued, "After the ad shoot, we kept in touch. It started with simple conversations, but over time, we just… clicked. I realized how genuine she was—no fake attitude, no Bollywood drama. She was just Anushka."

His tone softened slightly as he spoke, and the team noticed.

"She's been my biggest supporter. Through failures, bad performances, media criticism—she's always had my back."

There was a brief silence before Chris Gayle clapped his hands loudly. "Man, that's a proper love story!"

AB de Villiers smiled. "That's why you two are perfect for each other."

Chahal grinned. "So, what did we learn today? Virat bhai fell in love over a shampoo ad, and I got a girlfriend through Instagram DMs."

The team burst out laughing again, while Virat just shook his head.

"Chahal, I swear, you're impossible."

As the laughter died down, Chahal, still enjoying the flow of the conversation, suddenly turned toward Advay, his mischievous grin widening.

"Alright, alright, we've heard my story, we've heard Virat bhai's love story," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Now it's time for the ₹11 crore boy to spill the tea."

The table immediately erupted with cheers and teasing.

"Yes, Advay! Tell us, who's the lucky girl?" Chris Gayle smirked, leaning forward.

"I bet there's someone," Navdeep Saini added. "Come on, don't tell me a multibillionaire cricketer has no one special in his life."

AB de Villiers smirked. "And don't try to dodge the question, mate."

Advay, who had been calmly sipping his water, placed the glass down and looked around at the expectant faces. He wasn't flustered, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression.

"No one at the moment," he said casually. "I'm too busy with cricket and business to think about that."

A collective "Boooo!" erupted from the table.

Chahal shook his head dramatically. "Come on, bro. You're telling me you've never had a crush? Never been interested in anyone?"

Advay smirked. "I never said that."

The players leaned in closer, now genuinely curious.

"Oh? Now we're getting somewhere!" Umesh Yadav grinned. "So, tell us then."

Advay leaned back, crossing his arms as the players waited for his answer. His smirk didn't fade, but after a brief pause, he spoke.

"Well… there was this one time," he admitted, his voice casual.

The table immediately erupted in excitement.

"Aha! I knew it!" Chahal grinned, leaning forward. "Alright, spill the details."

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "It wasn't anything serious. Just something that happened when I was out with the Karnataka team one evening."

The players listened closely as he continued.

"We were at this café after a match, just relaxing. I ended up having a casual conversation with someone—nothing deep, just a fun, easy chat."

"Someone?" Chris Gayle raised an eyebrow. "You mean a girl, right?"

Advay nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips.

The table buzzed with interest.

AB de Villiers smirked. "And? What happened?"

Advay sighed. "I went to the restroom for a minute, and when I came back… she was gone."

The entire table fell silent for a second before Chahal threw his hands up.

"WHAT?! That's it?!" he yelled, exasperated.

Advay nodded. "That's it."

"You didn't ask for her name?" Umesh Yadav asked, looking at him in disbelief.

"Nope."

"You didn't get her number?" Navdeep Saini added.

"Nope."

Advay raised his hands in mock defense, smirking as he looked around at the disbelieving faces of his teammates.

"Alright, alright, before you all lose your minds—let me clarify," he said, shaking his head. "I wanted to ask for her name and number. I just… didn't get the chance."

Virat leaned forward. "What do you mean you didn't get the chance?"

Advay sighed. "By the time I came back, she was already gone. Just like that."

The table fell silent for a second before Chris Gayle let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's tough."

Chahal, still looking dramatic, pointed at him. "So you're telling me you actually wanted to ask her out?"

Advay ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as the team stared at him expectantly.

"I mean—not ask her out," he corrected himself quickly. "It wasn't like that."

Chahal raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Oh? Then what was it like?"

Advay hesitated for a brief moment before speaking. "I don't know… I just felt something different."

A quiet "Ooooooh" echoed around the table as the team leaned in closer, now fully invested in the story.

Chris Gayle smirked. "Damn, kid. That almost sounds deep."

AB de Villiers chuckled. "That's not just some casual conversation, then. If you still remember her face after all this time, she must've meant something."

Virat leaned back in his chair, watching Advay closely. "And you've never had that feeling with anyone else?"

Advay shook his head. "Not before. Not after."

A brief silence hung over the table before Chahal dramatically threw his hands up. "Okay, this is officially the most filmy thing I've ever heard."

The team burst into laughter, but the curiosity in their eyes remained.

Chris Gayle nudged him. "Well, if you ever see her again, don't let her disappear this time."

Advay smirked. "Noted."

The conversation shifted back to lighter topics, but somewhere in the back of his mind, that one memory lingered—her face, that moment, and the feeling he couldn't quite explain.