Chapter 52 : Koffee With Karan??

After missing out on the World Cup squad, Advay didn't dwell on it—he let his bat and ball do the talking.

He received a call-up for the Ranji Trophy, and from the moment he stepped onto the field, it was pure destruction.

He shattered records, one after another.

He scored a 500-run innings, a feat that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.He smashed multiple centuries and double centuries, his consistency unmatched.And just to prove he wasn't just a batter, he even took a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul.

The media couldn't get enough of him. "The Crown Prince of Indian Cricket" was no longer just a phrase—it was a statement.

Every commentator, every analyst, every cricket fan in the country knew what was coming next.

Advay Rai was no longer just knocking on the doors of international cricket—he was breaking them down.

After leading Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy title, Advay had done more than just prove himself—he had dominated the tournament in every possible way.

With his performances, he had also gathered enough SP—the points he had been working toward for months.

And he knew exactly what he was going to do with them.

Without hesitation, he purchased Ricky Ponting's batting template and Jonty Rhodes' fielding template.

Ponting's aggression, technique, and leadership—now his to refine.Jonty's athleticism, reflexes, and insane fielding skills—integrated into his game.

Now, Advay had six elite templates integrated into his game:

KL Rahul – Elegant stroke play and solid technique.AB de Villiers – 360-degree batting, innovation, and adaptability.Jonty Rhodes – Lightning-fast reflexes and world-class fielding.Jasprit Bumrah – Deadly yorkers, unorthodox action, and precision.Dale Steyn – Raw pace, aggression, and lethal swing bowling.Ricky Ponting – Ruthless aggression, elite captaincy mindset, and unmatched consistency.

With these six templates, Advay was no longer just a cricketing prodigy—he was becoming a force of nature.

July 16, 2019

Advay had just finished his workout when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—Virat Bhaiya.

He picked up. "Bhaiya?"

Virat's voice came through, as casual as ever. "You're free in the coming days, right?"

Advay wiped his face with a towel. "Why, what's up?"

"Koffee with Karan called me. They want me on the show."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And I get to choose the other guest."

Advay already had a feeling where this was going. "So, who are you taking?"

Virat chuckled. "You, obviously."

Advay exhaled. "Me? On Koffee with Karan? Bhaiya, that's not really my thing."

"It's not mine either, but here we are," Virat said, amused. "Besides, you barely do interviews. It's time people get to know the 'Crown Prince of Indian Cricket' a little better."

Advay smirked. "Or you just want me there so I take most of the questions."

"That too," Virat admitted shamelessly. "But come on, it'll be fun. One episode, some rapid-fire, a few tricky questions—nothing you can't handle."

Advay leaned back, thinking for a second. "Fine. But if Karan asks anything ridiculous, I'm not answering."

Virat laughed. "Fair enough. I'll let him know we're in."

Before Advay could say anything else, Virat ended the call.

Advay shook his head, tossing the towel aside. This was going to be interesting.

A few days after the call, the day of the shoot finally arrived.

Advay stood outside his house, dressed in a black and white cashmere t-shirt, a black leather jacket, and denim. His black watch with green straps rested on his wrist, and a chain with a tiny RCB logo hung subtly around his neck. His jet-black hair was neatly styled, effortlessly pushed back.

A familiar Range Rover pulled up, and the window rolled down to reveal Virat Kohli in sunglasses.

"Get in," Virat said with a smirk.

Advay slipped into the passenger seat, shutting the door. "I still don't know why I agreed to this."

Virat chuckled as he pulled away. "Because it's going to be fun. Just relax, answer some questions, and enjoy the show."

"You say that like you don't know Karan," Advay muttered. "He's going to ask everything except cricket."

Virat laughed. "Exactly why I needed you with me."

After a short drive, they arrived at the studio, where the Koffee with Karan set was buzzing with energy.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, the studio staff excitedly greeted them.

"Virat, welcome!"

"Advay, huge fan! Can we get a picture?"

Both of them obliged, taking photos with the crew. Some whispered amongst themselves, awed by the sight of the Indian captain and the rising superstar together.

"The Crown Prince of Indian Cricket and King Kohli on Koffee with Karan—this is going to break the internet!" one of the staff members murmured.

After a few minutes, they were led to Karan Johar's private lounge, where the man himself stood waiting, dressed in his signature stylish attire.

"Ah, finally!" Karan greeted them with a wide smile, adjusting his glasses. "Virat, always a pleasure." He then turned to Advay, giving him an amused look. "And the mysterious Advay Rai… I can't believe I actually got you on my show."

Advay smirked. "I lost a bet."

Virat chuckled. "Not exactly, but close enough."

Karan laughed, clapping his hands together. "Well, my dear, you better be ready, because I have so many questions for you!"

Advay arched an eyebrow, his smirk not fading. "I figured."

With that, Karan gestured toward the set. "Shall we begin?"

The set of Koffee with Karan was buzzing with excitement as the cameras rolled, and the familiar theme music played in the background. The audience watching at home knew this episode was going to be special.

Karan Johar, dressed in his signature bold and stylish outfit, sat comfortably on his couch, a mischievous smile on his face.

As the applause settled, Karan leaned forward. "Welcome back to Koffee with Karan—your weekly dose of candid confessions, cheeky controversies, and of course, lots and lots of coffee! But today, my dear viewers, it's extra special because we have not one, but two of Indian cricket's biggest superstars with us!"

The crowd behind the cameras cheered loudly.

Karan smirked, raising an eyebrow dramatically. "One is a living legend, a man who has redefined Indian cricket with his passion and aggression. The heartbeat of Indian cricket, the captain of the Indian team—VIRAT KOHLI!"

The studio doors slid open, and Virat Kohli walked in confidently, dressed in a sharp black suit with a crisp white shirt. The moment he stepped in, the audience behind the cameras burst into applause as he grinned, waving briefly before making his way to the couch.

Karan clapped. "Looking dapper as always, King Kohli!"

Virat chuckled as he sat down. "Thanks, Karan. Always a pleasure to be here."

Karan smirked. "I'm sure it is. But today, Virat, you're not alone. You've brought with you someone who's been making more headlines than even Bollywood stars."

The audience chuckled, sensing where this was going.

Karan turned to the camera dramatically. "My second guest today is a man who needs no introduction. He's the rising superstar of Indian cricket, a player whose records are already historic. He's calm, composed, yet an absolute beast on the field. He's mysterious, he's stylish, and oh, did I mention—he's the Crown Prince of Indian Cricket? Please welcome—ADVAY RAI!"

The doors slid open again, and Advay Rai walked in with effortless confidence.

Dressed in a black and white cashmere t-shirt, a black leather jacket, denim, his signature black watch with green straps, and a chain with a tiny RCB logo, he looked every bit the superstar Karan had hyped him up to be.

As he entered, the applause grew even louder. The studio staff, who had already taken pictures with him earlier, watched in awe—this was Advay Rai's first-ever talk show appearance.

Advay casually walked over to the couch, shaking hands with Karan before sitting down next to Virat.

Karan leaned back, sighing dramatically. "Okay, I need a moment. Do you two realize how much power is sitting on my couch right now? The King of Indian Cricket and the Crown Prince? This is too much even for me!"

Virat chuckled. "You invited us, Karan."

Karan smirked. "And I have no regrets! But tell me, Advay—this is your first-ever talk show appearance. Why did you finally agree to come on Koffee with Karan?"

Advay leaned back slightly, smirking. "Ask him," he said, tilting his head toward Virat.

Karan gasped. "Oh, so it was Kohli's doing?"

Virat laughed. "Of course. I told him it'd be fun, and he had no choice but to say yes."

Karan narrowed his eyes playfully at Advay. "So, is that true? Did Virat force you?"

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's just say… I wasn't given much of an option."

The audience behind the cameras laughed, and Karan rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Oh, I love this already. Two of the biggest names in Indian cricket, right here on my couch. Buckle up, boys, because this is going to be one hell of an episode!"

As the applause settled, Karan leaned forward, his signature mischievous smile in place.

"Alright, let's get straight into it. Virat, you've been here before, so you know how this works. But today, I have the added pleasure of grilling both you and Advay. And you know me—I love starting with my favorite topic… cricket!"

Virat chuckled. "Well, that's a first. Usually, you start with relationships."

Karan gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, I am a professional, Virat! I always begin with careers before diving into the masala!"

Advay smirked slightly, already sensing where this was going.

Karan turned back to Virat. "So, let's talk about your journey, Virat. You've been the backbone of Indian cricket for over a decade now, and you're still leading the team with the same passion and intensity. What drives you to keep going?"

Virat exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Honestly, it's just the love for the game. Cricket has been my life since I was a kid, and every time I step onto the field, the hunger to win is still there. I always want to push myself, to be better than yesterday."

Karan nodded. "And do you think you've changed over the years? The young, aggressive Virat Kohli vs. the more composed leader we see now?"

Virat laughed. "Oh, absolutely. I think back to my early days, and I was just pure aggression. Everything was about proving a point. But as you grow, you realize that sometimes, less is more. You learn to channel that energy in the right way."

Karan smirked. "So, no more send-offs with flying kisses?"

Virat chuckled. "I wouldn't say no more, but let's just say I pick my moments."

Karan turned to Advay now, eyes gleaming. "And speaking of aggression and composure… let's talk about you, Mr. Calm and Collected."

Advay raised an eyebrow, already expecting what was coming next. "Go on."

Karan leaned forward. "You're known for your ice-cold demeanor on the field. No excessive celebrations, no verbal battles, just pure focus. But—and this is a big but—we all saw what happened after the IPL final. For the first time, the world saw Advay Rai completely break down. Walk me through that moment."

The room fell slightly quieter, the air thick with curiosity.

Advay exhaled lightly, leaning back on the couch as he ran a hand through his hair. "I guess… that was the first time in my career where I really let my emotions take over."

Karan, now fully intrigued, leaned in. "Which was shocking for everyone because, until that moment, you were always this unshakable, composed force. But that night, after the final, when RCB lost… it was different. Tell me, what exactly was running through your mind?"

Advay's emerald-green eyes flickered with something unreadable for a moment before he spoke, his voice calm but steady.

"When I hit that last ball, I knew it wasn't clearing the ropes . It wasn't just losing a final. It was the fact that we had come so close. One more meter, and that ball would've been a six. One more meter, and we would've been champions."

Virat, sitting beside him, nodded slightly, understanding exactly what he meant.

"I've never been the kind to show much emotion on the field. But in that moment, I just couldn't hold it in. It wasn't just the loss—it was everything. The years of work, the sacrifices, the expectations, the pressure. It felt like I had let everyone down—my team, my fans, myself."

Karan, now serious, nodded. "And then you fell to your knees. The camera captured you taking off your helmet, your eyes filled with tears. That moment went viral instantly. Everyone was talking about it."

Advay smirked slightly, shaking his head. "Yeah, I saw the clips later. But in that moment, I didn't care who was watching. It just… hurt."

Karan sighed. "Honestly, as someone watching from the outside, it was heartbreaking. Even people who weren't RCB fans felt that pain with you."

Virat, who had been quiet till now, spoke up. "I remember seeing him on the field, and I knew this wasn't just another loss for him. Advay doesn't cry. He doesn't break. But that night…" Virat paused, shaking his head. "It just showed how much this meant to him."

Karan turned back to Advay. "And after the match? How did you handle it?"

Advay exhaled. "I don't even remember walking back to the dressing room properly. Everything felt like a blur. I just sat there, still in my pads, trying to process it."

Karan tilted his head. "And then Ananya walked in."

For the first time, Advay's smirk returned , after the smirk, Advay shook his head slightly, exhaling as he ran a hand through his hair.

"This is going to be a long show," he muttered under his breath.

Virat chuckled beside him, leaning back on the couch. "Oh, you have no idea."

Karan grinned mischievously, rubbing his hands together. "Oh, trust me, Advay—I haven't even started yet."

Karan leaned forward, his signature mischievous smile widening.

"Alright, now that we've covered the heartbreak, let's lighten things up! Time for some fun!"

Advay raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. "Define fun."

Virat chuckled. "He means he's going to trap us with his ridiculous questions."

Karan gasped dramatically. "Virat! How dare you? I only ask what the audience wants to know."

Advay smirked. "Which is?"

Karan clapped his hands together. "Hypothetical scenarios! You're both on my couch, and I'm going to put you in some tricky situations. Let's see how you handle them."

Scenario 1 – The Toughest Choice

Karan turned to Virat first. "Okay, Virat, imagine this—you're playing the World Cup final. India needs two runs off the last ball. You have two options at the crease: Advay Rai, or Anushka Sharma, who, in this hypothetical world, has trained as a cricketer. Who do you send to face the last ball?"

Virat burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Bro, what is this question?"

Karan grinned. "Answer it!"

Virat glanced at Advay, smirking. "I mean, I love my wife, but come on, it's a World Cup final. Advay, you're taking strike."

Advay tilted his head slightly. "Smart decision."

Karan chuckled. "Okay, okay, fair. Now, Advay, your turn!"

Karan leaned toward Advay, eyes gleaming. "Let's say, next IPL auction, every team wants you. Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, RCB—you name it. But you can only pick one. Where do you go?"

Advay didn't even blink. "RCB."

Virat grinned. "Good answer."

Karan narrowed his eyes playfully. "Not even a second of hesitation? Not even for the most successful teams?"

Advay smirked, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "Some things aren't about trophies."

Karan shook his head, laughing. "Well, well, well. That answer is going to make a lot of RCB fans very happy."

Karan, now fully enjoying himself, leaned in again. "Okay, Advay, let's say you're playing the most important match of your life. Double century on the line. Your team needs you. But—on the other side of the world, Ananya is receiving a prestigious acting award, and she really wants you there. What do you do?"

Virat immediately started laughing, while Advay just exhaled, shaking his head.

"You're really doing this?" Advay asked, smirking.

"Oh, I live for this," Karan said gleefully. "Answer the question!"

Advay leaned forward slightly. "Does she know about the match?"

"Of course!"

Advay chuckled. "Then she'd tell me to play."

Karan gasped. "So you wouldn't even try to go?"

"She'd kill me if I did."

Virat burst out laughing again. "Bro, he's not wrong."

Karan sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. But let's be real—you'd still send her a long, emotional message, wouldn't you?"

Advay smirked, looking directly at Karan. "No, I'd just call her after the match and say 'Congrats.'"

Karan clutched his heart. "Oh my god. This man is impossible! How does Ananya deal with you?"

Virat chuckled. "She doesn't. She just tolerates him."

Advay smirked but said nothing.

Karan sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up. "Alright, I need a break. This man is too composed. Let's get to the rapid-fire round next, because I will get something out of you!"

Karan rubbed his hands together excitedly, leaning forward with a wicked grin. "Alright, gentlemen, we have arrived at my favorite part of the show—the Rapid-Fire Round!"

Virat chuckled, shaking his head. "Here we go."

Advay adjusted his black leather jacket slightly, his smirk not fading. "Let's see what you've got, Karan."

Karan gasped dramatically. "Oh, the confidence! But let's see how long it lasts. You both know the rules—quick answers, no dodging, and of course, the best answers win the coveted Koffee Hamper!"

The staff cheered from behind the cameras, adding to the excitement.

Virat's Rapid-Fire Round

Karan: "Describe Advay Rai in one word."

Virat: "Ice-cold."

Karan: "A cricketer you would love to bat with in a World Cup final?"

Virat: "Advay."

Karan: "One thing about Ananya Panday that Advay won't admit on camera?"

Virat: grinning "That he's way softer with her than he is with anyone else."

Advay: smirking "No comment."

Karan: "Between you and Advay, who is the bigger drama king?"

Virat: laughing "Definitely me!"

Karan: "If not Anushka, who in Bollywood do you think you'd have ended up with?"

Virat: "No one else. Anushka or nothing."

The audience aww'd, while Karan clapped. "Too sweet! Now, Advay, your turn!"

Advay's Rapid-Fire Round

Karan: "One word to describe Virat Kohli?"

Advay: "Relentless."

Karan: "One word to describe Ananya Panday?"

Advay: smirking "Trouble."

Karan: gasping "Oh, my god! She is going to kill you for that!"

Advay: shrugging "She already knows."

Karan: "Your dream batting partner in a World Cup final?"

Advay: "Virat Bhaiya."

Virat smiled slightly, nodding in approval.

Karan: "If you weren't a cricketer, what would you be?"

Advay: "Still a billionaire."

Virat burst out laughing, while Karan covered his face with his hands. "The confidence of this man!"

Karan: "Between cricket, Swiggy, and Ananya—rank them in order of importance."

Advay: pausing for a second "Cricket, Ananya, Swiggy."

Karan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Not business first?"

Advay smirked. "You can own a company. You can't own a World Cup."

Virat nodded approvingly. "Well said."

Karan: "Last question. If you were stuck on an island with only one person—who would it be?"

Advay: without hesitation "Ananya."

Karan screamed. "FINALLY! A STRAIGHT ANSWER!"

Virat shook his head, laughing, while Advay just smirked.

Karan stood up dramatically, pointing at Advay. "You win. You win the Koffee Hamper for finally giving me an answer that wasn't cryptic!"

The staff cheered, while Karan handed over the famous Koffee Hamper.

As Advay took it, he smirked at Virat. "Guess I win this round, Bhaiya."

Virat chuckled. "Enjoy it while it lasts, kid."

Karan collapsed onto the couch. "This was too much fun! But before we wrap up, one last thing—if there's anything you want to say to your fans, here's your chance!"