Chapter 34 : Fan Favorite

After wrapping up his Man of the Match interview, Advay stepped down from the stage, the trophy still in his hand. The RCB fans were still cheering, their voices echoing through the stadium. He took a deep breath, looking around at the Chidambaram Stadium, now calmer after the intensity of the match.

As he walked onto the field, he noticed that both RCB and CSK players had gathered near the boundary, chatting and sharing a few laughs. The match was over, but the camaraderie between players remained.

He spotted Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and AB de Villiers standing in a small group, exchanging words. Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle were laughing with Harbhajan Singh, while a few younger players from CSK were speaking with RCB's bowlers.

Still gripping his trophy, Advay walked over and joined a group where Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, and Shane Watson were talking with Navdeep Saini and Umesh Yadav.

Jadeja smirked as Advay approached. "So, how does it feel, kid? First match, first hundred, first Man of the Match? You making a habit out of this?"

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's see if I can keep it up."

Suresh Raina, one of the IPL's most consistent batters, patted him on the back. "Honestly, man, that was an insane knock. The way you handled Bravo's variations… most batters struggle against him, but you made it look easy."

Advay smiled. "He's a tricky bowler, no doubt. But I just focused on picking the slower balls early."

Shane Watson, who had faced Advay's bowling earlier in the night, folded his arms. "And what about that spell with the ball? You got Rayudu with an absolute peach. Where the hell did you learn to bowl like that?"

Advay smirked. "Let's just say I had a few good coaches."

Jadeja raised an eyebrow. "A few? If they made you bowl like that at 18, I need to meet them."

Before Advay could respond, MS Dhoni walked over, joining the group. The moment he arrived, the conversation paused for a second. Dhoni's presence was different—silent but commanding.

Dhoni looked at Advay, a small smile forming on his face. "Good game, champ."

Advay nodded, standing a little straighter. "Thanks, Mahi bhai."

Dhoni studied him for a second before speaking again. "The way you played today—you weren't just batting, you were controlling the chase. That's rare. Keep playing like this, and you'll go a long way."

Coming from MS Dhoni, that meant something. Advay nodded again, appreciating the words. "That means a lot, bhai."

Dhoni then smirked slightly. "Just don't play like this against CSK again."

The entire group burst into laughter, and even Advay grinned.

As the night wore on, the players continued chatting, sharing stories, and enjoying the moments after the game.

The sun had barely risen over Bengaluru, but the cricketing world was already buzzing with one name—Advay Rai.

The night before, he had produced a performance that didn't just make headlines—it shook the cricketing world. A 123 off 61 balls* in his debut match, combined with 3/38 in four overs, had led RCB to a dominant 10-wicket win over CSK.

Every major sports channel, newspaper, and online platform was talking about one thing—India's newest superstar.

News headlines flooded the internet.

"RCB's ₹11 Cr Masterstroke! The Birth of a New Superstar?" – ESPN

"Who is Advay Rai? The 18-Year-Old Who Stunned IPL!" – Cricbuzz

"Better Than Kohli at 18? Advay's Record-Breaking IPL Debut!" – Sportskeeda

"The Next ABD? Advay Rai's Explosive Knock Draws Comparisons" – The Times of India

Social media was on fire. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were flooded with memes, fan edits, and endless discussions about him. His Instagram follower count skyrocketed overnight, crossing 1 million followers in less than 24 hours.

The cricketing fraternity had also taken notice. Virender Sehwag tweeted, "Kya baat hai! Advay Rai—power, class, composure. This is just the beginning. Exciting times ahead for Indian cricket! 🔥🔥"

Kevin Pietersen wrote, "Advay Rai. REMEMBER THE NAME! What a player, what a future! The new generation has arrived! #IPL2019"

Even the official IPL account posted a highlight reel of his innings, captioned:

"123 off 61. 3 wickets. 1 debut. Advay Rai has ARRIVED! 🔥🔥🔥 #RCB #IPL2019"*

At RCB's team hotel, Advay sat at the breakfast table, scrolling through his phone, barely able to keep up with the notifications.

Aditi, sitting across from him, smirked as she sipped her coffee. "So, how does it feel to wake up as India's newest cricketing obsession?"

Advay exhaled, shaking his head as his phone kept buzzing. "Loud."

From the next table, Chahal grinned, leaning over. "Bro, you broke the internet overnight. People are already calling you 'Baby ABD.'"

Advay chuckled, putting his phone down. "Well, as long as they don't call me Chahal's brother, we're good."

The entire RCB team burst into laughter, while Chahal threw his napkin at Advay.

Virat, who had been sitting nearby, smirked as he scrolled through his own phone. "Get used to it, kid. This is just the beginning."

As the excitement from the match settled into the background, a video on YouTube began to take the internet by storm. It was an interview with RCB fans outside the stadium, conducted by a local YouTube channel that covered IPL-related content.

The video was shot right after the match, as RCB fans were still celebrating their incredible 10-wicket win. The interviewer, a young and enthusiastic fan of RCB himself, approached several fans who were leaving the stadium, still buzzing with excitement.

The video started with the interviewer asking a group of RCB supporters about their thoughts on the match and the team's performance. One fan, wearing a red jersey with Advay Rai's name on the back, was practically jumping with joy.

"He's amazing! Advay is going to be the next big thing in Indian cricket!" the fan exclaimed. "I can't believe he just got a century on debut! That's unheard of! He's got the same fire, the same energy, the same swag as AB de Villiers. We've got a superstar on our hands!"

The next clip showed a group of fans holding up a large RCB banner with Advay's face photoshopped onto it, showing him in a superhero pose. "He's going to lead us to the IPL title!" they shouted, laughing and cheering.

Then, the video cut to another fan who was holding their phone up to the camera, showing off an Instagram post of Advay's match-winning knock and the Man of the Match award. "This kid's going to break records! He's already the best thing to happen to RCB since Virat Kohli!"

The video then flashed to another supporter, a mother, with her son beside her. She smiled and said, "My son is 12, and he's already looking up to Advay. He said he wants to be just like him—fast bowler, hard hitter, everything!"

The video quickly gained traction, and within hours, it had gone viral.

Fans from around the country were commenting, and the video shot to millions of views, with comments flooding in:

"RCB fans are no joke. This kid is going to be the future of Indian cricket!"

"Advay Rai is already a legend in the making. RCB's savior!"

"From the first ball to the hundred, Advay is THE guy to watch."

The comments section was full of admiration, and many people were already comparing Advay to legends like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and even Shane Warne, all because of his explosive debut performance.

Even more surprising was the fact that Advay himself saw the video, after his phone was blown up with notifications and mentions. He watched it with a slight chuckle, amazed at the love and attention he was receiving.

But for Advay, it was just the beginning. He knew that the real challenge would come when the pressure started to build up. The attention from the fans was exhilarating, but now, it was time to prove himself, game after game.

But for now, he couldn't help but smile at the sight of RCB fans rallying behind him, chanting his name, and seeing him as the future of the franchise.

As March 28, 2019 approached, the excitement surrounding the RCB vs. MI match was palpable. Both teams were preparing for what promised to be a fierce battle at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While RCB's fresh energy and Advay's stellar debut were the talk of the town, Mumbai Indians weren't about to let them get too comfortable.

On the eve of the match, the MI players gathered in their hotel lobby for a brief meeting before heading to the stadium for training. There was a buzz in the air—this wasn't just any match; it was against a rampant RCB team that had just crushed CSK.

As the players assembled in the lounge, Rohit Sharma was the first to speak, his calm demeanor setting the tone for the upcoming clash.

"Alright, guys," Rohit started, "this is the kind of game we need to come out strong for. RCB is high on confidence after that big win, and we need to make sure they don't carry that momentum into our game."

Jasprit Bumrah, always the quiet one, nodded as he listened, adjusting his gear. "Their openers are dangerous. Virat and Advay, especially. We need to keep the pressure on them early, not let them settle."

Hardik Pandya, with his usual energy, chimed in. "Advay, huh? Kid's on fire. Watched his century against CSK—he's got a lot of talent, but he's still young. We can get him if we bowl smart." He flashed a grin. "I'll make sure I bowl that slower ball to him—he won't know what hit him."

Rohit smiled at Hardik's comment, knowing full well the kind of unpredictability Hardik could bring into the mix. "Hardik's right. We've all seen Advay play some fireworks, but we can't let him dictate the game. We control the pace, we control the game. And Bumrah, you know what to do with that yorker of yours."

Bumrah gave a slight nod, his focus unwavering. "I'll target the toes. No mistakes."

Krunal Pandya leaned forward. "And don't forget about the middle overs. If we let Virat get going, it could be a long day. We need to keep him quiet early. I'll handle the spin."

Rohit clapped his hands. "Exactly. Control the middle, get the big wickets, and force them to play catch-up."

The group was fired up, and the intensity in the room was palpable.

As the conversation moved towards strategies, the focus shifted to Advay Rai, the young star everyone seemed to be talking about.

"I saw some of his highlights," said Quinton de Kock, who had been quietly listening. "Kid's got some serious power. But he's still learning how to handle pressure."

"True," Rohit said, folding his arms. "The key is to bowl consistently and hit those good lengths. He's aggressive, but we have to keep him contained."

Just as the talk about Advay's debut performance was settling, Kieron Pollard, who had been relaxing in a chair, spoke up. "This is what makes IPL fun, right? New talents emerging all the time. But we're here to win, and we have the experience to get this done."

Hardik grinned. "We've been here, done that. Time to show them how it's done."

Rohit nodded, a small smirk crossing his face. "Exactly. Tomorrow's game will set the tone for the season. Let's remind RCB who runs the show in IPL."

The players nodded in unison, their minds already on the upcoming battle.

As they wrapped up the discussion, Rohit gave one last motivating statement: "We're Mumbai Indians—no one beats us without a fight. Tomorrow, we take control."

The room filled with a unified "MI!", the chant echoing through the hotel as the team walked out, heading toward the stadium for their final practice session.

The stage was set. RCB had been on fire, but MI was a force to be reckoned with, and Advay Rai's debut had put them on notice. Tomorrow, it would be Advay Rai vs. Jasprit Bumrah, RCB vs. Mumbai Indians, in a clash that was already being talked about as one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.

March 28, 2019 — M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The air was electric, buzzing with anticipation as the RCB fans filled the stands in waves of red, while the occasional splash of blue signified the loyal supporters of Mumbai Indians. The energy was palpable; this wasn't just another IPL match, this was a showdown between two cricketing giants, and the stage was set for a blockbuster encounter.

The stadium was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere felt like a festival—there were chants of "RCB! RCB!" echoing through the stands, blending with the occasional "MI! MI!" from the Mumbai supporters. The roar of the crowd was deafening as players took their positions, their faces serious, yet excited.

The skies were clear, the lights gleaming down on the pitch, and the perfect wicket for batting was on display. There was no doubt this would be a high-scoring encounter, and both teams knew that the early moments of the game would set the tone for the rest of the night.

The moment arrived—the toss. Virat Kohli, standing with Rohit Sharma, walked confidently to the center. With a quick call, the coin flipped into the air, and as it landed, the verdict was clear: RCB had won the toss.

Virat Kohli, ever calm and composed, turned to the cameras for the toss interview. He was greeted by the usual questions about the pitch and the decision.

Virat spoke with confidence, his eyes scanning the packed stands as the camera zoomed in on him. "It's a really good wicket for batting today. The ball will come onto the bat nicely, and we're looking to set a big target. We know the conditions favor batting, and it's going to be a high-scoring match. We want to take advantage of that and put up a big score first. Once we do that, we'll trust our bowlers to defend it."

The fans cheered loudly at his words, their excitement intensifying with each sentence.

Harsha Bhogle, commentating from the box, couldn't help but add his own thoughts. "Virat is spot-on, it's a pitch that promises a lot of runs. And with the kind of explosive batting lineup that RCB has, we're in for a thrilling contest."

Matthew Hayden echoed that sentiment. "RCB's batting has been on fire lately. If they can get a solid start and build partnerships, they could easily put Mumbai under pressure. This match is set to be a cracker, folks!"

With the toss done and the decision made, the RCB players walked back to their dugout, ready to begin the task ahead. The stage was set for the big chase, with RCB batting first and looking to post a daunting total.

The atmosphere was electric at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the noise of the crowd almost deafening as Virat Kohli and Advay Rai strode out to the middle. The stands were packed with a sea of red jerseys, flags waving in rhythm with the chants of "RCB! RCB!" that echoed into the night. The home crowd was fired up, and the anticipation for a high-scoring spectacle was at its peak.

Jasprit Bumrah stood at the top of his mark, the Mumbai Indians fielders spreading out, ready for battle. The scoreboard showed RCB 0/0 (0.0) as the umpire signaled for play to begin.

The first ball came steaming in at 145 kmph, pitched short and angling toward the body. Advay's eyes lit up as he instinctively rocked back and pulled it ferociously over deep midwicket, the ball soaring into the night sky before crashing into the stands.

The crowd exploded.

Harsha Bhogle's voice rang out in excitement. "Oh, what a start! First ball, first six! Advay Rai is here to entertain!"

Bumrah ran in again, this time going full and outside off, looking for some swing. Advay leaned into the shot, driving it past extra cover with a crisp punch, the ball racing to the boundary like a bullet.

Matthew Hayden chuckled. "That is pure class! The balance, the timing—this young man is something else!"

The RCB dugout was already on their feet, nodding in appreciation. Virat, watching from the other end, smirked. The intent was clear.

Bumrah adjusted his length, going for a back-of-a-length delivery at 146 kmph, this time to Virat. The RCB captain waited on the back foot, reading the bounce perfectly, and opened the face of the bat, slicing it over point for six!

Harsha Bhogle couldn't contain his excitement. "And now Kohli joins the party! This is fearless batting!"

The scoreboard flashed RCB 21/0 (1 over), a dream start for the home team.

Lasith Malinga was brought into the attack for the second over. The veteran Sri Lankan, known for his deadly yorkers, started with a classic full, straight delivery at 143 kmph. Advay anticipated it early, shuffling across and scooping it over fine leg for six!

The crowd went wild, the stadium roaring in admiration.

Next ball, Malinga adjusted, going short. Advay was waiting for it. He rolled his wrists beautifully and pulled it in front of square for four!

Harsha Bhogle laughed. "Malinga is getting the full treatment tonight! Advay is reading him like a book!"

At the end of 2 overs, RCB were already at 34/0, with Advay on 26(10) and Virat on 8(2).**

Hardik Pandya came in for the third over, looking to break the rhythm. His first delivery, full and outside off, was met with a textbook cover drive from Virat, splitting the field perfectly for four.

Matthew Hayden admired the shot. "This is why Virat Kohli is the best in the world! That is sheer elegance!"

Hardik tried a slower bouncer, but Virat adjusted brilliantly, pulling it effortlessly behind square for another boundary!

The RCB openers were unstoppable.

By the end of the powerplay, RCB had raced to 98/0 in 6 overs, a stunning display of aggressive batting.

The Mumbai Indians bowlers, visibly rattled, desperately turned to spin, hoping to slow things down. Krunal Pandya was introduced in the 7th over, firing one in at the stumps. Advay stepped out and launched him high over long-on, the ball disappearing into the Bengaluru night.

Harsha Bhogle was almost shouting now. "That is an unbelievable shot! This young man is playing an innings to remember!"

Virat continued his assault in the following over against Rahul Chahar. A beautifully floated delivery was met with a step-down-the-pitch lofted drive over extra cover for six! The crowd roared once more as the RCB skipper raised his bat toward the stands.

By the end of 10 overs, RCB had stormed to 134/0.

Advay was sitting on *79(38)**, with 9 fours and 5 sixes, while Virat had reached his half-century in just 22 balls, playing 6 fours and 2 sixes.

The Mumbai Indians fielders looked helpless, their body language suggesting they had run out of ideas.

As the drinks break was called, Virat walked over to Advay, shaking his head with a grin.

"I think we broke them."

Advay smirked, adjusting his gloves. "Good. Let's finish the job."

The Chinnaswamy crowd was still on its feet, chanting, clapping, soaking in a partnership that would be remembered for years to come.