Chapter 61 : Shrug

After a long flight, the team finally landed in India, stepping off the plane into the familiar warmth of home. As they cleared immigration and collected their luggage, the exhaustion of the tour slowly faded, replaced by the comfort of being back.

Once outside, the players boarded the team bus, which would take them to their hotel—The Oberoi, Mumbai, a five-star luxury stay where they would regroup before the South Africa series.

As soon as the bus pulled out of the airport, the mood was completely different from the quiet flight. The team was buzzing with energy, happy to be back, and the usual singing and banter started almost immediately.

Pant, sitting at the front, pulled out his phone and started playing a Bollywood song, clapping his hands to the beat. Hardik Pandya joined in, singing loudly, completely out of tune.

"Bro, what are you even singing?" KL Rahul laughed. "You're ruining the song!"

Hardik smirked. "Arrey, music is about feeling, not perfection."

Rohit, shaking his head, leaned back and muttered, "This is why we never let you sing on the mic."

Meanwhile, Chahal, sitting next to Advay, nudged him. "Bhai, you're awfully quiet. Enjoying the chaos?"

Advay, smirking, simply shrugged. "I like watching you guys embarrass yourselves."

Chahal gasped dramatically. "Waah! So much attitude. Look at him, breaking records on debut and now acting like a superstar!"

The team burst into laughter, while Advay just shook his head.

As the bus rolled through the streets of Mumbai, the players continued their chatting, joking, and celebrating their successful tour. The next challenge—South Africa at home—was coming up fast, but for now, they soaked in the moment, together as a team.

The players had only a few days to rest and recover before shifting focus to the upcoming series against South Africa. After a couple of days at home, the team regrouped at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where the training camp for the series had begun.

The morning started with fitness drills, led by the team's strength and conditioning coaches. Yo-Yo tests, agility sprints, and endurance runs set the tone, pushing the players to peak physical readiness. Advay, already known for his discipline and work ethic, led by example, completing every drill without breaking a sweat.

After the warm-ups, the team moved to the nets. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Advay padded up first, rotating through different bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, and Khaleel Ahmed bowled in one net, focusing on swing and seam movement, while Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja worked in another, testing the batsmen against spin.

As Advay stepped in, Bhuvneshwar bowled a perfect outswinger first up, shaping away just enough to beat the edge.

Rohit, watching from outside, smirked. "Welcome back, superstar. No easy runs here."

Advay chuckled, adjusting his gloves. "I don't need easy runs."

Next ball, Bhuvneshwar pitched it slightly full, and Advay leaned in, driving it beautifully through the covers. The sound of the ball hitting the middle of the bat echoed across the ground.

Harbhajan Singh, watching from the sidelines, nodded. "Doesn't look like he took any break at all."

In the spin nets, Advay faced Chahal, who tossed one up outside off-stump. Advay stepped forward and lofted it cleanly over extra cover.

Chahal groaned. "Bhai, I just got here!"

Pant laughed from behind the stumps. "Bhai, he doesn't spare anyone!"

The session continued, with the bowlers trying different variations, and batsmen working on different match scenarios. Fielding drills followed, with direct-hit practice and slip catching, keeping the intensity high.

As the session wrapped up, Virat Kohli walked over to Advay, handing him a bottle of water. "First home series coming up. You ready?"

Advay smirked, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Always."

With just a few days left before the first T20I, India's preparations were in full swing. The South Africans were coming, but the team was ready.

On September 14, 2019, the night before the first T20I against South Africa, the Indian team gathered for a team dinner at one of Bengaluru's top restaurants. The atmosphere was relaxed yet focused, with the players enjoying a rare moment of downtime before the intensity of the series kicked in.

The private dining area was booked exclusively for the team, ensuring no distractions. The table was filled with a mix of Indian and continental dishes—butter chicken, dal makhani, grilled salmon, pasta, and fresh salads, catering to everyone's preferences.

As the players settled in, Rohit Sharma leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "Alright, boys. Last night before we go back to smashing bowlers. Enjoy it."

Pant, already digging into his food, spoke with a full mouth. "Bhai, you and Advay don't let anyone else smash the bowlers anyway."

Virat smirked. "Yeah, Advay. Leave some runs for the rest of us this time."

Advay, sipping his water, smirked. "Can't make any promises."

The table burst into laughter, while Chahal shook his head. "Bhai, you say this so casually, but opposition teams are having nightmares about you already."

KL Rahul grinned, scrolling through his phone. "Speaking of opposition, South Africa's press conference was interesting today. Rabada was asked about our batting lineup, and he straight-up said, 'We have plans for Advay Rai.'"

Rohit chuckled. "Oh, they all have 'plans' for him. Let's see how well that works out."

Advay shrugged. "Let them plan. I'll just bat."

As the team laughed and chatted, enjoying their dinner, Advay sat back, scrolling through his phone, his expression shifting slightly. His usual smirk was replaced by a frown, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Chahal, sitting next to him, noticed first. "Oye, what's with the serious face? Checking stock market updates or what?"

Advay didn't respond immediately, still scrolling through the forums and social media debates. There was an ongoing discussion—whether he could dominate against the biggest teams the same way he did against West Indies.

Some comments were full of praise:

"He's a freak of nature! T20 hundred, ODI double ton, Test double ton—this guy is a once-in-a-generation player!"

"Doesn't matter if it's South Africa, Australia, or England. Advay Rai has shown he belongs at the top!"

But then there were doubts too:

"Let's see him do this against world-class attacks like Australia and South Africa before calling him the next big thing."

"West Indies wasn't the real test. Rabada, Cummins, Archer—these guys will show us if he's truly elite."

Rohit, noticing the change in Advay's expression, nudged him. "What's up? You look like you're reading match-fixing allegations."

Advay locked his phone, exhaling. "Nothing. Just people debating whether I can perform against 'big teams.'"

KL Rahul, chewing his food, raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Advay shrugged. "Some say yes. Some say no."

Virat, sipping his drink, smirked. "Good. That's exactly how it should be."

Advay looked at him, curious. "What do you mean?"

Virat leaned forward slightly. "The best players in the world? They never have unanimous approval. There will always be doubters, critics, and people waiting for you to fail. If everyone believed in you, where's the fun in proving them wrong?"

Pant grinned. "Bhai, this is Virat Kohli Masterclass now. Pay attention."

The table chuckled, but Advay understood what Virat meant. He had faced doubters before. This was nothing new.

He smirked, unlocking his phone again and refreshing the page. "Guess I'll just have to settle this debate myself."

Rohit chuckled. "Good answer."

With that, Advay tossed his phone aside and went back to his dinner, his focus shifting from online debates to the challenge waiting for him on the field. Tomorrow, the first match against South Africa. The perfect place to make a statement.

The atmosphere at Dharamshala's Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium was electric, the stands packed with a sea of blue, fans waving flags and chanting in unison—"India! India!" The cool mountain air mixed with the buzz of anticipation as the players took their positions for the first T20I against South Africa.

As the two captains walked out for the toss, the noise grew louder. Virat Kohli flipped the coin, and the call went in India's favor. He didn't hesitate. "We'll bat first."

The stadium erupted in approval, knowing what that meant—Advay Rai and Rohit Sharma were about to take the field.

Both openers grabbed their bats, adjusting their gloves as they walked toward the pitch. Rohit, always relaxed, stretched his arms and smirked. "So, you ready for the 'big team' challenge?"

Advay, rolling his shoulders, matched his smirk. "Always."

The crowd noise intensified as they stepped past the boundary rope, the stadium announcer calling out their names. The South African fielders took their positions, Kagiso Rabada standing at the top of his mark, ball in hand, ready to open the attack.

Advay tapped his bat against the pitch, his focus locking in. The first ball was about to be bowled, and the battle had begun.

The first ten overs saw India completely in control, batting aggressively yet smartly, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a blistering pace. The Dharamshala crowd was electric, every boundary met with a deafening roar as the South African bowlers struggled to contain the Indian top order.

Kagiso Rabada charged in to start proceedings, his first delivery to Rohit Sharma was a fuller ball on off-stump, looking for swing. Rohit, with his signature elegance, leaned into it and timed a gorgeous cover drive. The ball raced to the boundary, barely touching the ground.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that is pure class from Rohit Sharma! Nobody in world cricket makes cover drives look as easy as he does!"

In the next over, Anrich Nortje tested Advay Rai with sheer pace, clocking at 147 km/h, bowling a hard length just outside off. Advay, showing no hesitation, stayed back and cut it fiercely past point. The timing was exquisite, and the ball sped away to the fence.

Shaun Pollock: "There's no stopping that! Nortje tried to hurry him up, but Rai is just too quick to react!"

With the openers looking comfortable, Phehlukwayo was brought into the attack to slow things down. He bowled a slightly short ball at the body, but Rohit was waiting for it. He pulled it nonchalantly over deep midwicket, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Ravi Shastri: "Short ball… and dismissed! Rohit Sharma—one of the best pullers in world cricket, and that is as easy as it gets!"

India raced to 65/0 in six overs, forcing South Africa to rethink their plans.

In the seventh over, Rohit, looking to accelerate, attempted a lofted shot off Phehlukwayo. The slower ball deceived him, and he failed to get the elevation he wanted. The ball sailed toward long-off, where David Miller ran in and took a sharp catch.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that's a big wicket! Rohit Sharma was looking so good, but Phehlukwayo outsmarts him with the change of pace!"

As Rohit walked off for 34 off 27 balls, the Dharamshala crowd erupted once again—because walking in at No. 3 was Virat Kohli.

The South African players had a brief discussion, adjusting their field, knowing the challenge ahead. Virat took his guard, tapped the pitch twice, and stared down Rabada, who returned to the attack.

Rabada's first ball to Virat was short and angled into his ribs, a typical welcome delivery. But Kohli, completely unfazed, got inside the line and clipped it behind square for four.

Shaun Pollock: "Oh, that's a statement shot! Kohli doesn't need time to settle in, he's in control from ball one!"

At the other end, Advay was on fire, punishing anything even slightly off-length. In the ninth over, Nortje bowled a full, fast delivery on off-stump, but Advay leaned forward and lofted it over extra cover for six.

Ravi Shastri: "That is outrageous! Full face of the bat, high elbow, and straight through the line! You won't see a better shot than that!"

The partnership between Advay and Kohli looked dangerous, as both batters rotated strike seamlessly, keeping the pressure on South Africa.

By the end of ten overs, India was 112/1, with Advay on 64 off 32 balls and Virat settling in on 12 off 7 balls.

The crowd was roaring, the South African bowlers looked under pressure, and India was cruising toward a massive total.

By the time the 20th over came to a close, India had completely dominated the innings, finishing at 223 for 2. The South African bowlers had tried everything—pace, spin, slower balls, bouncers—but nothing worked. Advay Rai had owned the night.

The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived in the 17th over. Facing Rabada, Advay was on 96, and the bowler fired in a full delivery on middle and leg, looking for a yorker. But Advay was a step ahead—he picked it early, went down on one knee, and scooped it over fine leg for six!

The stadium erupted as the ball sailed into the stands. Advay Rai, on T20I debut at home, had scored yet another hundred.

As soon as the ball landed, he put his bat down, removed his helmet, and then slowly took off his gloves.

The camera zoomed in as he stood there, ice-cold, looking straight into the lens. Then, in the most effortless way possible, he shrugged.

The crowd went wild. Social media was about to explode.

Harsha Bhogle, almost laughing in disbelief: "That is… well, that is something else! Advay Rai has just scored a hundred, and that celebration… he's letting the world know that this is normal for him!"

Shaun Pollock: "No fist pumps, no jumping around—just a shrug, as if to say, 'What did you expect?' That is pure confidence!"

From the Indian dressing room, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were on their feet, clapping and shaking their heads, Virat smirking as if he had seen this coming.

Advay's innings continued, finishing unbeaten on 124 off 61 balls, while Virat played a captain's knock, ending at 52 off 32 balls.

As they walked off, the Dharamshala crowd was chanting his name, and even the South African players couldn't help but shake their heads at the level of dominance they had just witnessed.

South Africa began their chase needing 224 runs to win, a mammoth target even for their power-packed lineup. The Dharamshala crowd was still buzzing, the energy refusing to die down after Advay Rai's ice-cold hundred.

Jasprit Bumrah took the new ball, running in with his usual rhythm. His first delivery was full and swinging into Quinton de Kock, who flicked it beautifully past midwicket for four.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, lovely shot! De Kock wastes no time getting started!"

Mohammed Shami shared the new ball, and Reeza Hendricks greeted him with a crisp drive through extra cover, perfectly timed for another boundary. South Africa raced to 18/0 in 2 overs, making their attacking intent clear.

Virat Kohli adjusted the field and brought in Washington Sundar early to slow things down. It worked instantly—Sundar tossed one up outside off, Hendricks tried to loft it inside-out but didn't get enough elevation. The ball went straight to Rohit Sharma at long-off.

Shaun Pollock: "India strikes! Hendricks was looking dangerous, but Washington Sundar's clever change of pace does the trick!"

With one opener gone, South Africa sent in Rassie van der Dussen, their most consistent T20 batter. He got going with a reverse sweep off Sundar, the ball racing past short third-man for four.

Virat turned to Advay Rai in the 7th over, looking for control in the middle overs. The crowd roared as he was handed the ball, playing his first home game with the ball in hand.

Rabada and Nortje had gone after him earlier in the day, but now, it was his turn to set the tone. He started with a tight over, conceding just five runs, varying his pace and keeping the batters guessing.

Harsha Bhogle: "We've seen what he can do with the bat, but here's an underrated part of his game—his ability to control the run flow."

South Africa kept fighting, with De Kock leading the charge, smashing a lofted drive over extra cover off Chahal for six. He followed it up with a pull shot off Hardik Pandya, sending the ball into the midwicket stands.

But just as the Proteas gained momentum, Bumrah returned for his second spell and struck gold. He bowled a perfect wide yorker to De Kock, who tried to slice it behind point but only managed an edge to Pant.

Ravi Shastri: "Boom! Boom! Bumrah! That's world-class death bowling right there!"

De Kock was gone for 62 off 38 balls, and South Africa's hopes started fading. With the required rate climbing past 14 runs per over, pressure mounted on Van der Dussen and David Miller.

Miller tried to counterattack, stepping out to Shami and hammering a six over long-on, but in the very next over, he mistimed a pull against Chahal—the ball went straight to KL Rahul at deep square leg.

Shaun Pollock: "Miller had no choice but to go for it, but Chahal is too smart for that! India tightens its grip on this match."

By the time the final over arrived, South Africa needed an impossible 40 runs to win.

Shami ran in, delivered a fast yorker, and Rabada was cleaned up first ball. The stumps shattered, and the crowd roared, knowing the match was done.

India sealed the victory by 26 runs, drawing first blood in the series.

As the players walked off the field, high-fiving and exchanging smiles, the Dharamshala crowd erupted once again, chanting "India! India!"

Advay, despite not taking a wicket, had bowled a disciplined spell, helping choke the chase in the middle overs. As he walked back to the dressing room, Virat patted him on the back.

"Bat se maara, ball se control kiya. Good game, kid."

Advay smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Next time, I'll get wickets too."

Virat chuckled. "I don't doubt it."

The first T20I was done, and India had started the series in style.

As the post-match presentation began, the atmosphere in Dharamshala's HPCA Stadium was still electric. Fans were chanting, the giant screen displayed "MAN OF THE MATCH – ADVAY RAI", and the young star walked up to collect his award.

Standing beside Harsha Bhogle, holding his trophy, Advay looked calm, showing no signs of excitement despite his record-breaking hundred.

Harsha, smiling, began. "Advay, what a knock! A hundred in your first home T20I, and you made it look effortless. How do you feel?"

Advay adjusted the mic slightly, smirking. "I feel good. The pitch was great, the crowd was amazing, and I just stuck to my game."

Harsha chuckled. "That's a very composed answer for someone who just tore apart an international attack. Were you always this confident, or does it come naturally?"

Advay shrugged slightly. "I mean, I trust my preparation. If I've done it before, I can do it again. The bowlers had their plans, but I had mine."

The crowd cheered, loving his cool demeanor.

Harsha grinned. "Now, we have to talk about that celebration. Hundred on the board, and instead of the usual fist pumps, you just put your bat down, took off your gloves, and shrugged at the camera. What was going through your mind?"

Advay smirked. "Nothing, really. It's just… I expected it."

The crowd went wild, and even Harsha shook his head, laughing. "Oh boy, the confidence! You expected it?"

Advay, still smirking, nodded. "Yeah, I knew I could do it. No point acting surprised."

Harsha, still grinning, moved on. "Fair enough! Lastly, next match coming up—South Africa will come back stronger. Any changes in approach?"

Advay kept it simple. "Nope. Same approach. Same mindset. Let's see how it goes."

Harsha turned back to the camera, smiling. "Ladies and gentlemen, the man of the match—Advay Rai! Get used to this name, because you'll be hearing it a lot."

As Advay walked off, trophy in hand, the stadium erupted again, knowing they had just witnessed something special.