Chapter 56 : Six sixes in a Row

As Advay drove through the quiet Bangalore streets, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting casually on the gear shift, Ananya sat beside him, her phone in her hands, scrolling through the flood of comments under their picture.

The car was filled with the occasional sound of her giggling, followed by Advay's smirks as he glanced at the screen.

"Okay, okay," Ananya said, biting back a laugh. "Listen to this one—'Virat bhaiya, please tell Advay to focus on cricket, not romance!'"

Advay scoffed, shaking his head. "As if Virat himself doesn't post Anushka's pictures every other week."

Ananya snorted. "Facts."

She scrolled further and gasped. "Oh my god—Ranveer Singh commented!"

Advay raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?"

Ananya read it out dramatically: "'Mere bhai, kya kar diya tune!🔥 This is some top-tier romance. Full filmi. Love it! ❤️'"

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course he'd say that."

Ananya giggled, still scrolling. "Wait—Hardik Pandya wrote something too—'Brother, drop the skincare routine. How do you stay this cool?'"

Advay smirked. "Born this way."

Ananya rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you're so annoying."

He smirked, flicking on the indicator as they neared her house. "And yet, you're still here, reading comments about me."

She gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, they're about us!"

He chuckled. "Fine. What's next?"

She grinned. "KL Rahul—'Finally, it's official. I was tired of pretending not to know!'"

Advay shook his head. "This guy, I swear—"

Ananya kept reading, her laughter getting louder. "And here's your dear captain—'Advay, make sure you play as well as you date. No excuses next match. 😉 - Virat Kohli'"

Advay smirked, eyes still on the road. "That's Virat for you—supportive, but never misses a chance to remind me of cricket."

As Ananya kept scrolling through the endless flood of comments, she burst out laughing again.

"Okay, listen to this one—Yuzvendra Chahal commented, 'Bhai, kabhi hamare liye bhi kuch seekh lo. Teach us your game—both on the field and off! 😏🔥'"

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Typical Chahal. This guy flirts with everyone and still needs me to teach him?"

Ananya giggled. "Well, he's not wrong. Your game off the field is just as strong."

He smirked. "Told you, natural talent."

She rolled her eyes, scrolling further. "Oh! Sara Ali Khan commented—'Manifesting this kind of romance in my life. Uff, too cute! ❤️'"

Advay raised an eyebrow. "Sara, huh? Didn't know she was invested."

Ananya smirked, nudging his arm. "Well, obviously—you're India's most eligible bachelor."

He scoffed. "Not anymore."

Her smile softened at that, but before she could say anything, she gasped. "Wait, wait, wait—Alia Bhatt commented!"

Advay glanced at her. "What did she say?"

Ananya read it dramatically: 'Omggg this is ADORABLE. Love this for you two! 🥰'

Advay smirked. "Ananya Pandey getting actress support? Looks like I'm the lucky one here."

She flipped her hair playfully. "Finally, you admit it."

As she scrolled further, she suddenly gasped louder. "Advay—DID YOU SEE THIS?!"

He glanced at her, amused. "What now?"

She turned her phone toward him, eyes wide with excitement. "SHAH RUKH KHAN commented!"

Advay blinked, then smirked. "No way."

Ananya read it out loud, still freaking out: 'Love, romance, and cricket? Now that's a Bollywood blockbuster in the making. Keep winning, my man! Just not against KKR ❤️🔥 - SRK'

Advay chuckled. "Alright, I think we can shut down the internet now."

Ananya grinned. "Agreed. This is officially legendary."

She set the phone down, still giggling as she leaned back in her seat. "This is unreal, Advay. Everyone's talking about us."

He glanced at her, his smirk softening. "As long as you don't mind, I don't care what they say."

She turned to him, her heart melting just a little. "I don't mind at all."

He squeezed her hand lightly, then shifted gears as they rolled up to her house, the night ending with laughter, love, and the entire country watching.

July 18, 2019, Advay reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, the place where every Indian cricketer sharpened their skills before a big tour. After signing the necessary paperwork, he changed into his Team India training kit—a navy-blue jersey with the BCCI logo proudly displayed on his chest.

As he stepped onto the practice ground, a familiar sight greeted him. These weren't just teammates—every single player here had either played with him or against him in the IPL 2019. They all knew what he had done—winning the Orange Cap, breaking the record for most runs in a season, and finishing second on the Purple Cap list. His international debut wasn't a surprise. It was inevitable.

The moment Chahal spotted him, he grinned. "About time, bhai! Tujhe debut dene mein itna time kyun lagaya?" (About time, brother! Why did they take so long to give you a debut?)

Hardik Pandya smirked. "Seriously, IPL mein toh bowlers ki zindagi kharab kar di tune. Now you're coming for international cricket?" (Seriously, you ruined the lives of bowlers in the IPL. Now you're coming for international cricket?)

Advay chuckled, shaking hands with them. "Bas bhai, yahi plan hai." (That's the plan, brother.)

Rohit Sharma, stretching nearby, walked over with his usual easygoing smile. "Finally, my new opening partner has arrived."

Advay smirked. "Hoping I don't disappoint you, Rohit Bhai."

Rohit chuckled. "I'd be surprised if you did."

Virat Kohli arrived a moment later, arms crossed, his sharp gaze assessing Advay before his trademark smirk appeared. "Took them long enough to pick you."

Advay smirked back. "You always said no excuses, Bhai. So, here I am."

Virat patted his shoulder. "Good. Now let's see if you can survive a full NCA session."

The players moved into their warm-up drills, and as expected, the fitness standards were brutal. Advay kept pace with Virat and KL Rahul, pushing himself through the sprints and agility drills without slowing down.

Then came the net session. The bowlers didn't take it easy on him—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja threw everything at him. But Advay handled it all with confidence—stepping out to spinners, countering Bumrah's yorkers, and timing Shami's seam movement with precision.

Rohit, watching from the side, turned to Virat. "Looks like he's been playing at this level for years."

Virat smirked. "He's just getting started."

Later, when it was his turn to bowl, Advay sent down fast, swinging deliveries that had Rishabh Pant struggling.

"Arre bhai, mujhe hi out karne ka target leke aaye ho kya?" (Oh brother, have you made it your mission to get me out?) Pant groaned after being beaten twice in a row.

Advay smirked. "Just practicing for the West Indies tour."

By the time the session ended, there was no doubt in anyone's mind—Advay Rai was ready for international cricket.

Rohit clapped him on the back. "Looking forward to opening with you, partner."

Virat smirked. "Welcome to the big leagues, Rai."

Advay simply smiled, adjusting his gloves. "I've been waiting for this."

And with that, the first step toward his India debut was complete.

That evening, after training, the Indian team gathered at a private fine-dining restaurant in Bengaluru for a team dinner. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses.

As Advay walked in with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, he saw Yuzvendra Chahal waving at him.

"Advay! Come here, we've saved a special seat for you!" Chahal called out.

Advay smirked. "Special seat? What is this, some kind of ragging?"

Hardik Pandya grinned. "No, brother, just a welcome. It's your first team dinner, right?"

Advay nodded as he took his seat between Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

Virat glanced at him while cutting a piece of grilled chicken. "Getting settled?"

"A little," Advay replied, his usual composed self.

Pant nudged him. "Bro, whose treat should this dinner be?"

Shreyas Iyer smirked. "Obviously, the guy who's making his debut!"

The table burst into laughter, while Advay shook his head. "At least let me play my first match, then I'll pay up."

As the waiters served butter chicken, biryani, pasta, and grilled fish, the conversation flowed effortlessly from cricket to personal stories.

Rohit looked at Advay. "Tell me honestly—before your first match, are you nervous or relaxed?"

Advay took a bite before replying. "Excited, but not nervous. There will always be pressure, but that's when it's the most fun."

Virat nodded approvingly. "Good answer."

Just as Advay thought he could enjoy the meal in peace, KL Rahul smirked at him. "Bro, there's another tradition at team dinners."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

Hardik grinned. "The new guy has to sing a song."

The entire table erupted in cheers, while Advay simply picked up his glass and took a sip, completely unfazed.

Rishabh Pant nudged him. "Come on, bro. Just a few lines."

Advay leaned back, smirking. "Not happening."

Chahal groaned. "At least pretend to think about it!"

"Didn't even cross my mind," Advay replied smoothly, taking another bite.

Virat chuckled. "Yeah, you guys won't get him to sing. I knew this before you even asked."

Hardik shook his head. "Cold. Absolutely cold."

Advay smirked but said nothing, going back to eating like the challenge never existed.

As the plates were being cleared and the team settled into casual conversations, Chahal suddenly stood up, phone in hand, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Alright, boys," he announced loudly, catching everyone's attention. "Looks like our Mr. Ice-Cold Composure posted something very interesting yesterday."

Advay raised an eyebrow, already knowing what was coming. He leaned back in his chair, sipping his drink, completely unfazed.

Chahal turned his phone toward the team, revealing Advay's Instagram post from last night—the picture of him hugging Ananya from behind, both of them laughing, the Bangalore skyline in the background.

Most of the team burst into laughter, while a few who hadn't seen it leaned in with interest.

"Ohhh," Hardik whistled. "Here we go!"

Shreyas Iyer smirked. "So, this is what the 'Crown Prince of Indian Cricket' has been up to!"

KL Rahul chuckled, shaking his head. "About time, bro."

Chahal grinned. "Now, let's read some of the finest comments from this legendary post." He cleared his throat dramatically.

"First one—'Bhai, ab ye cover drive se bhi zyada smooth hai!' (Brother, this is even smoother than his cover drive!)"

The table erupted in laughter, while Advay simply smirked.

Chahal continued, laughing. "Oh, this one is gold—'Bro plays cricket like an assassin but romances like a Bollywood hero.'"

Pant leaned forward, grinning. "That's facts, though!"

Chahal scrolled further. "Oh, here's a great one—'I thought he only holds trophies in his posts. Guess he just won the biggest one.'"

Hardik threw his hands up. "Bro, that one wins!"

Virat, shaking his head in amusement, looked at Advay. "So? Any response?"

Advay smirked, unfazed as always. "The comments speak for themselves."

Chahal grinned. "You hear that, boys? Confirmed. No denials."

The whole table burst into cheers and claps, while Advay shook his head, still smirking.

Rohit chuckled. "Welcome to Team India, partner. No secrets here."

As the laughter continued, one thing was clear—Advay was officially part of the family.

July 30, 2019 – Team India Departs for the West Indies & USA

The departure day had finally arrived. The entire Indian squad assembled at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, ready to board their flight to the United States for the first leg of the tour.

Advay arrived early, dressed in a crisp white t-shirt, a navy blue Team India travel jacket, and black joggers. His signature black watch with green straps was on his wrist, and a pair of noise-canceling headphones rested around his neck.

As he wheeled his suitcase toward the check-in area, he spotted Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma talking near the baggage counter, while Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer were already recording Instagram stories.

The moment Chahal saw Advay, he grinned and called out across the lounge.

"Arrey bhai, first international tour! Kaisa lag raha hai?" (Hey brother, first international tour! How are you feeling?)

Advay smirked, adjusting his bag strap. "Not my first tour. I won the 2018 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand."

Chahal raised an eyebrow. "Oho, confidence toh dekh rahe ho?" (Oh wow, look at the confidence!)

Hardik Pandya chuckled, slapping his back. "Enjoy this chilled-out mood while it lasts. The moment we land, it's grind time."

Advay nodded. He knew the fun would end the moment they set foot on the training ground.

As they moved toward security check-in, Virat walked beside him. "First time flying with the senior team. Different feeling?"

Advay exhaled lightly. "A little. But at the end of the day, cricket is cricket."

Virat smirked. "Good answer."

The team cleared security and headed to the first-class lounge, where they had some time before boarding. As they settled in, Shreyas pulled out his phone and started reading fan tweets.

"Guys, people are already debating if Advay is going to smash a century on debut," he announced with a grin.

Chahal leaned over. "Century? Bro, they're saying you and Rohit might hit back-to-back double hundreds in ODIs."

Rohit, sipping his coffee, smirked. "They have a lot of faith in us, huh?"

Advay simply smirked, unbothered by the hype. "Let's see what happens."

After a while, the final boarding call was announced. The players grabbed their bags and made their way to the gate.

As Advay scanned his boarding pass and stepped onto the Boeing 777 bound for Miami, he took a deep breath.

This was it. His first international tour with the senior team.

The next time he set foot on a cricket field, it would be in an India jersey.

The Boeing 777 had just taken off from Bengaluru, cruising smoothly toward Miami, where the first two T20Is would be played. The players were spread across business class, settling in for the long flight.

Advay was seated between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were across the aisle. A few rows behind them, Shreyas Iyer, Chahal, and Hardik Pandya were already arguing over which movie to watch.

As Advay adjusted his seat, Pant turned to him with a wide grin. "Bro, first long flight with the senior team. How does it feel?"

Advay smirked. "Like a normal flight. Just with more cameras at the airport."

KL Rahul chuckled. "You'll get used to it. The moment you start scoring runs, the cameras will never leave you alone."

Advay leaned back. "Then I better get some peace while I can."

Just then, Chahal leaned over from across the aisle. "By the way, we still haven't decided—who's getting the window seat?"

Hardik, sitting next to him, groaned. "Bro, it's a 16-hour flight. Who cares?"

"I care!" Chahal insisted. "I want to take a time-lapse of the clouds."

Advay smirked. "I'll give you my seat if you promise to bowl only full tosses in practice."

The whole group burst into laughter.

Rohit, shaking his head, looked at Advay. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

Virat smirked. "And a sharp tongue. I like it."

Pant grinned. "Wait till you see him sledging on the field."

KL Rahul stretched his legs. "Okay, serious question—who's staying up for the entire flight, and who's knocking out in the next 30 minutes?"

Hardik raised his hand. "I'm watching movies all night."

Chahal joined him. "Same. I have a playlist of conspiracy theory videos ready."

Rishabh Pant yawned. "Bro, I'm out in five minutes. Wake me up when food comes."

Advay glanced at Rohit. "And you?"

Rohit smirked. "Depends. If the conversation is fun, I'm in."

KL Rahul grinned. "Advay, I think you should entertain us. You're the new guy."

Advay shook his head. "I already told you—I don't sing."

Virat chuckled. "He's quick. Didn't even let us suggest it this time."

Chahal sighed dramatically. "Fine, no singing. But tell us—who was the first person you called after getting selected?"

Advay leaned back, thinking. "Aditi, my sister."

The group nodded, impressed.

Pant smirked. "And the second person?"

Advay gave him a knowing look. "You already know."

The team burst into laughter, with Hardik shaking his head. "Bro, that Instagram post broke the internet. I swear, you overshadowed our squad announcement."

Rohit leaned back. "You know, I never posted a picture with my wife until after we got married."

Virat nodded. "Neither did I with Anushka, except for work-related stuff."

Chahal grinned. "Advay said, 'Forget all that, let's just go viral immediately.'"

Advay smirked. "Might as well start with a bang."

The team laughed again, settling into their seats as the flight continued through the night sky.

The next time they landed, it would be time to prepare for battle.

After a long flight, the Indian cricket team landed at Miami International Airport and boarded a comfortable team bus that would take them to their hotel. The players settled in for the short drive, each passing the time in their own way. Some were watching dramas or movies on their phones, others were engaged in casual banter, discussing everything from cricket strategies to the best places to eat in Miami.

Advay, however, remained quiet, gazing out of the window as the city lights passed by. Miami had a different energy—vibrant, electric, yet strangely calming. The streets were alive with people, neon lights reflecting off the glass buildings, and the occasional sight of palm trees lining the roads. It was a contrast to the cricket-obsessed streets of India, but the momentary silence gave him a chance to breathe, to take it all in before the real work began.

The bus pulled up in front of The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, a luxurious five-star resort known for its tranquil beachfront and top-tier amenities. As they stepped out, a soft ocean breeze welcomed them, carrying the scent of salt and palm trees. The hotel stood tall and elegant, its grand entrance exuding sophistication.

Inside, the team was greeted warmly by the hotel staff, who quickly handed out room keys. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the marble flooring, and the faint sound of a piano playing in the background added to the grandeur. The players exchanged tired jokes as they collected their key cards, eager to get some rest before the training sessions began.

Advay walked into his suite and dropped his bag beside the plush king-sized bed. He stepped onto the balcony, where the view of the Atlantic Ocean stretched endlessly under the night sky. The waves crashed softly against the shore, the city lights flickering in the distance. For a moment, he just stood there, letting the quiet soak in. Tomorrow, the focus would shift back to cricket—training, meetings, strategizing. But tonight, he allowed himself to enjoy the stillness.

With one last glance at the ocean, he turned back inside, ready to embrace the next chapter of his journey.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast at the hotel, the team boarded the bus to the training ground. The atmosphere was lively—some players were still waking up, sipping on coffee, while others were already discussing strategies.

KL Rahul, seated next to Advay, leaned in slightly. "Listen, first international series can be tricky. Conditions, pressure, expectations… just keep it simple. See the ball, play the ball."

Advay smirked. "That's the plan. But if I ever mess up, I'll just blame you for bad advice."

Rahul chuckled. "Oh, of course. That's what I'm here for—to take the blame."

The bus pulled up at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Florida, where the team would have their first training session. The players changed into their training kits and jogged onto the field, stretching and warming up under the bright Miami sun.

At the nets, Advay padded up and stepped in to bat. On the other end, Jasprit Bumrah was ready with the ball, a familiar smirk on his face.

"Alright, Mr. Orange Cap," Bumrah called out, spinning the ball in his fingers. "Let's see if you can handle the real stuff."

Advay smirked, tapping his bat against the ground. "Just don't get disappointed if the ball disappears into the stands."

Rishabh Pant, keeping wickets behind him, laughed. "Ohhh, bold words! Bumrah bhai, make sure he regrets that."

Bumrah ran in and sent down a sharp, fast yorker aimed straight at the base of the stumps. Advay reacted instantly, jamming his bat down just in time to dig it out perfectly.

Hardik Pandya whistled from the side. "Not bad, kid."

Bumrah picked up the ball and smirked. "Alright, warm-up over. Now let's get serious."

The next ball was a short-pitched delivery, zipping toward Advay's body. He quickly swayed back and pulled it effortlessly, sending it crashing into the side netting.

Virat, watching from outside, nodded approvingly. "Good balance."

Chahal, leaning against the nets, grinned. "Bro, don't praise him too much, or he'll start thinking he's better than us already."

Advay, hearing that, turned with a smirk. "I don't think that, Chahal bhai. I know it."

The entire team burst into laughter, while Chahal dramatically held his chest. "Ah! The arrogance! We've created a monster."

Hardik threw an arm around Chahal. "It's okay, bro. We'll bowl to him later and humble him."

Advay chuckled, facing his next delivery, knowing fully well that the team was already testing him—not just with the ball, but with their words. And he was enjoying every bit of it.

August 3, 2019—the day had finally arrived. The first T20I between India and West Indies was set to take place at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Florida. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of fans packing the stands, most of them dressed in India's signature blue jerseys, waving flags, and chanting in unison—"India! India!" The energy was infectious, a sea of blue overpowering the patches of maroon-clad West Indies supporters.

Out in the middle, Virat Kohli stood for the toss, flipping the coin as West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite watched closely. The coin landed in India's favor. Without hesitation, Virat turned to the presenter with a confident nod.

"We'll bat first."

A fresh wave of cheers erupted from the stands. The decision made sense—the pitch looked good for batting, and with Rohit Sharma and Advay Rai opening the innings, India wanted to set a strong total.

The West Indies team, featuring Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, and Sunil Narine, huddled together as their bowlers discussed strategies. Meanwhile, in the Indian dressing room, Advay padded up, adjusting his gloves as he felt the weight of the moment. His international debut had officially begun.

As Advay Rai and Rohit Sharma stepped onto the field, the Florida crowd erupted in loud cheers, the sea of blue jerseys waving in excitement. The bright afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pitch as the two Indian openers took their positions.

In the commentary box, Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri were deep in discussion as the cameras zoomed in on the young debutant.

Harsha Bhogle: "And here we go! India's new opening pair—Rohit Sharma, the veteran, and walking alongside him, making his international debut at just 19 years of age, is Advay Rai. What a moment this is for the young man!"

Ravi Shastri: "Oh, absolutely, Harsha! Advay Rai—this name has been making waves for the last year. IPL Orange Cap winner, broke records, dominated domestic cricket, and now, finally, he's here on the biggest stage. A debut at 19… you know what that tells me? He's special."

Harsha Bhogle: "And we've seen his temperament. Cool, composed, doesn't get rattled. But international cricket is a different beast. The question is—can he carry that IPL form into an India jersey?"

The West Indies players took their positions, with Sheldon Cottrell marking his run-up. Advay took his guard, tapping the pitch twice before looking up. Across the stadium, fans continued to chant, anticipation building.

This was it. His first ball in international cricket.

As Sheldon Cottrell marked his run-up, the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Rohit Sharma stood at the non-striker's end, watching as Advay Rai, on debut, took his guard for the very first time in international cricket. The left-arm pacer adjusted his field, took a deep breath, and charged in.

The first ball—a length delivery outside off. Advay stepped forward and launched it over long-off. The ball soared into the stands. A massive six off his very first delivery in international cricket! The crowd erupted, and the West Indies players exchanged glances.

Cottrell exhaled and walked back to his mark. The second ball—a short one this time, aimed at the body. Advay was ready. He swiveled on his back foot and pulled it flat over deep square leg, the ball crashing into the advertising boards. Back-to-back sixes!

The commentators couldn't hold back.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh my word! What are we witnessing here? A debutant… and he's already making a statement!"

Ravi Shastri: "Advay Rai—remember the name! This is fearless batting at its finest!"

Cottrell, now under pressure, went fuller, trying to swing it into the pads. Advay anticipated it perfectly, leaned in, and flicked it high over deep midwicket. Another six!

The crowd was on its feet. Rohit walked up to Advay, smirking. "What's going on, partner?"

Advay, unfazed, just smirked back. "Just having some fun."

Fourth ball—Cottrell, visibly frustrated, went for a wide yorker. But Advay moved across his stumps, got under it, and scooped it over fine leg. The ball disappeared into the night sky and landed deep into the stands.

The West Indies captain, Carlos Brathwaite, shook his head, signaling for a field change. Cottrell, now rattled, ran in again, bowling a slower one outside off. Advay stepped out, met it on the half-volley, and carved it high over extra cover. Another maximum!

The stadium was shaking. Five sixes in five balls.

Cottrell had one ball left. He ran in, banged it short, hoping to rush the youngster. Advay simply rocked back and hooked it over deep square leg. The ball sailed over the boundary rope, disappearing into the stands yet again.

Six in a row.

The entire Indian dugout was on its feet. Virat Kohli clapped furiously. The crowd was roaring, chants of "Advay! Advay!" filling the stadium.

Harsha Bhogle: "This is unbelievable! A debutant, nineteen years old, and he's just hit six sixes in an over! This is something out of a dream!"

Ravi Shastri: "We've seen Yuvraj do it, we've seen Gibbs do it, but this—this is something else! This is a statement!"

Advay walked down the pitch, tapped gloves with Rohit, and smirked.

"Good start?" he asked.

Rohit shook his head in disbelief. "You're insane."

The scoreboard read 36/0 in 1 over.

Advay Rai had arrived.

Sheldon Cottrell's nightmare over had already set the tone, but Rohit Sharma and Advay Rai showed no signs of slowing down. Every ball that left the bowler's hand was treated with absolute disdain, as if the two Indian openers were playing on a completely different surface from the one the West Indies had prepared for.

Oshane Thomas was brought in to restore some order, but Rohit greeted him with a vicious flick over deep square leg for six. The next ball was a short-pitched delivery at 145 km/h, aimed at Rohit's ribs—but the Hitman just stood tall and pulled it over midwicket, the ball sailing deep into the stands.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh dear, this is brutal! The West Indies bowlers have no place to hide!"

Ravi Shastri: "Sheer elegance from Rohit Sharma. He doesn't muscle the ball, he just lets it fly off his bat!"

India raced to 52/0 in 3 overs, with Advay continuing from where he left off.

Carlos Brathwaite, desperate for a breakthrough, turned to Sunil Narine in the 4th over, hoping spin could slow things down.

Advay stepped up to face him. First ball—Advay danced down the track and launched Narine straight over his head, deep into the sightscreen.

Harsha Bhogle: "That's Advay Rai for you! First ball against a mystery spinner—down the track, into the stands!"

The next delivery was flatter and quicker, but Advay was one step ahead. He reverse-swept it past backward point for four, the ball racing away before the fielder could even react.

Ravi Shastri: "Oh, he's got every shot in the book! Innovation, power, class—it's all there!"

At the end of the Powerplay (6 overs), India stood at an unbelievable 110/0. Rohit had already reached his fifty off 20 balls, while Advay was on 48 off just 17.

The West Indies bowlers were clueless. Even the normally calm Brathwaite was frantically adjusting his field, but it didn't matter.

In the 8th over, Keemo Paul tried to mix it up with slower deliveries, but Advay picked it early. He waited on the back foot, then lofted a slower ball inside-out over extra cover for a one-bounce four. The next delivery was a length ball on middle stump—Advay stepped inside the line and whipped it over deep square leg for another six!

India's score climbed to 135/0 in 9 overs.

Harsha Bhogle: "This is unbelievable! India has completely blown away the West Indies in the first half of this innings!"

Ravi Shastri: "This is fearless cricket. No respect for the bowlers. Advay Rai on debut, playing like he's done this a hundred times before!"

The 10th over began, and Rohit finished it with a picture-perfect lofted cover drive for four, taking India to a staggering 145/0 at the halfway mark.

At the end of 10 overs:

Advay Rai – 72 (28) [9x6, 3x4]*Rohit Sharma – 65 (32) [6x6, 5x4]*

India was rewriting the record books.