Chapter 73 :

The atmosphere at Westpac Stadium in Wellington was electric. The sea of blue jerseys in the stands roared as the Indian team took the field, drowning out the pockets of black-clad New Zealand supporters. The stadium lights shone brightly, illuminating the massive crowd that had gathered to witness yet another high-stakes T20I.

The two captains, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, stood at the center for the toss. The coin went up, flipped in the air, and landed in India's favor.

"We'll bat first," Virat announced confidently, tapping Rohit Sharma on the shoulder as the team huddled.

The Indian fans erupted, already anticipating fireworks from their openers.

As Advay Rai and Rohit Sharma walked toward the crease, the energy in the stadium spiked even further. Fans stood up, waving their flags, chanting loudly.

Harsha Bhogle from the commentary box: "And here they come, two of the most dangerous white-ball batters in the world. One, a modern-day legend in Rohit Sharma. The other, the rising phenomenon, Advay Rai. They've been unstoppable this series."

Ravi Shastri: "Advay fresh off buying Liverpool FC, but now back to business. Can he light up Wellington the way he did Auckland?"

As Advay took his guard, the New Zealand fielders spread out, already wary of what was to come. Tim Southee held the new ball, adjusting his grip as he eyed the batter in front of him.

The crowd noise crescendoed as the umpire signaled for play to begin. The field was set, the tension was thick.

And then—the first ball was bowled.

Southee ran in for the first ball, pitching it full and swinging into Advay's pads. Advay leaned forward and flicked it effortlessly through midwicket. The ball raced across the fast outfield, crashing into the boundary cushions in a flash.

The crowd erupted as the ball was retrieved.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, what a start! That's just pure timing! He's picking up right where he left off."

The next ball, Southee went short, angling it into the body. Advay anticipated it early, rocked back, and pulled it flat over deep square leg for six! The ball landed several rows back, and the Indian fans in the stadium went wild.

Ravi Shastri: "Boom! That's a monster hit! If you bowl short to this man, you're just asking for trouble!"

At the other end, Rohit Sharma joined the carnage. Lockie Ferguson, bowling the third over, went for a full-length delivery at 151 km/h. Rohit drove it past covers with sheer elegance for four, making it look effortless.

The next ball, slightly short—Rohit pulled it high over midwicket! The ball disappeared into the stands, and the cameras zoomed in on the disappointed face of Kane Williamson.

By the end of the powerplay (6 overs), India had rocketed to 87/0.

Advay was on 42 off 18 balls, striking at over 230, while Rohit was on 38 off 16, playing his signature attacking game.

Williamson turned to Mitchell Santner, hoping spin could slow them down.

First ball—Santner tossed it up outside off. Advay stepped forward and lofted it beautifully over extra cover. One bounce, four.

The next ball, Santner fired it in quicker. Advay stayed back and unleashed a brutal cut shot past point. The ball screamed to the boundary!

Harsha Bhogle: "Advay Rai is playing like a man possessed! Every single delivery is being put away!"

However, New Zealand finally got a breakthrough in the 8th over.

Ferguson, bowling with pace, went full and straight to Rohit Sharma. Rohit, looking to flick it, missed the line completely, and the ball crashed into his stumps!

Ravi Shastri: "BOWLED HIM! Finally, New Zealand gets the breakthrough! But the damage has been done!"

Rohit walked back after a scintillating 48 off 24 balls, shaking his head in frustration.

Virat Kohli walked in next, his usual intensity in his eyes. He and Advay kept the scoreboard ticking, playing smart cricket, taking quick singles while punishing the bad balls.

At the 10-over mark, India was 142/1.

Advay was on 78 off 34 balls, striking at an unreal pace, while Kohli had just settled in at 10 off 6 balls.

The New Zealand bowlers looked helpless, the Indian dugout was all smiles, and the stadium was witnessing another masterclass from Advay Rai.

The second half of the innings started just as explosively as the first. Advay and Virat showed no signs of slowing down, tearing apart the New Zealand bowling attack with a mixture of power and precision.

In the 11th over, Ish Sodhi was brought into the attack. His first delivery was a googly outside off, but Advay picked it early, stepping down the track and launching it high over long-on. The ball disappeared into the stands, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Harsha Bhogle: "And that's into the night sky! Advay Rai is unstoppable tonight!"

Santner, hoping for control, returned in the 12th over. His first ball was slightly short, and Virat quickly rocked back and pulled it past deep midwicket for four.

The next ball was full on off-stump—Virat opened the face of his bat at the last moment and guided it past short third man for another boundary.

Ravi Shastri: "That's Kohli at his best! The touch, the placement—perfection!"

The crowd was on its feet, sensing something special unfolding. The Indian fans chanted louder with every boundary, drowning out any noise from the New Zealand supporters.

In the 14th over, Ferguson came back with raw pace, but it made no difference.

First ball, Advay shuffled across, picked the length early, and flicked it behind square for six! The sound of the bat meeting the ball was crisp—a shot of pure class.

Shaun Pollock: "Oh, that's outrageous! He's just toying with the field now!"

The next ball was a yorker attempt, but Advay opened the face of his bat and squeezed it past point for four!

At the 15-over mark, India had stormed to 198/1.

Advay was on 98 off 43 balls, one hit away from yet another century.

The next over, Southee tried to go short, hoping to cramp him. But Advay read it early, swiveled, and pulled it over deep midwicket! The ball sailed over the ropes!

Hundred up for Advay Rai!

He raised his bat, acknowledging the roaring crowd. But there was no over-the-top celebration—just a small nod, as if this was expected.

Virat walked up to him, tapping his gloves. "Let's finish this properly."

And they did.

The next three overs saw Virat switch gears, taking on the bowlers with his signature aggressive running and placement.

In the 18th over, Southee pitched it full, but Kohli lofted it cleanly over extra cover for six!

Advay, standing at the other end, smirked. The crowd was electric, sensing a record-breaking total.

The final over arrived. India was already past 250.

Lockie Ferguson steamed in, delivering a 152 km/h length ball—Advay cleared his front leg and smashed it straight down the ground for six!

Harsha Bhogle: "This is destruction! This is a masterclass!"

The next ball, Kohli got in on the act, whipping one through midwicket for another boundary.

The innings ended in style, with Advay smashing one last six over long-off, bringing India's total to an unbelievable 284/1 in 20 overs.

Advay finished on 132 off 54 balls*, while Virat ended with 72 off 34 balls.*

The New Zealand fielders looked dazed, the Indian dugout was ecstatic, and the crowd knew they had just witnessed something historic.

The Indian players took the field, full of energy, knowing they had put an impossible target on the board. The New Zealand openers, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, walked out, but there was a different kind of pressure weighing on them—284 in 20 overs wasn't just a chase; it was a mountain to climb.

Jasprit Bumrah ran in for the first ball. A classic Bumrah back-of-a-length delivery, angling in at 144 km/h. Guptill tried to cut it late, but the ball skidded quicker than expected, took the edge, and flew to KL Rahul behind the stumps!

The entire Indian team erupted in celebration as Guptill walked off for a duck.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, what a start! Bumrah strikes first ball, and New Zealand's chase is already off to a nightmare!"

In the very next over, Shardul Thakur got Munro. He bowled a fuller-length delivery outside off, inviting the drive. Munro went for it—but edged it straight to Kohli at slip!

Ravi Shastri: "Gone! New Zealand is crumbling already!"

The scoreboard read 5/2, and the Indian fans in the stadium were roaring.

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, walked in, trying to calm things down. He and Ross Taylor put up a brief fight, playing a few smart shots.

In the 5th over, Williamson stepped out and lofted Chahal over extra cover for a beautifully timed six. The crowd clapped appreciatively—but even they knew this was just delaying the inevitable.

Then came Advay.

With his first ball, he tossed it up, deceiving Taylor with flight. Taylor misjudged the spin, stepped forward, and completely missed it! The ball crashed into the stumps!

Shaun Pollock: "Bowled him! Advay Rai joins the party!"

At 49/4, the match was slipping away from New Zealand.

The wickets kept tumbling. In the 10th over, Bumrah returned, firing in a perfect yorker at 147 km/h, rattling the stumps of Tim Seifert, who had no answer.

By the 15th over, New Zealand was 108/7, staring at a crushing defeat.

The Indian players were already celebrating, knowing the game was done.

The final wicket came in the 18th over when Shardul bowled a slower delivery, and Sodhi skied it straight to Rohit Sharma at long-on.

Game over.

India won by a massive 176 runs!

The Indian fans in the stadium were dancing, waving their flags, while the New Zealand crowd sat in stunned silence.

Harsha Bhogle: "This was not just a win. This was a demolition. India came here tonight and completely obliterated New Zealand!"

Advay, Kohli, Rohit, and the rest of the team high-fived, knowing they had just played one of the most dominant matches in T20I history.

Back in his hotel room, Advay collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment. The roar of the crowd, the flashing cameras, the post-match interviews—all of it faded away as he reached for his phone and dialed Ananya.

She picked up almost immediately.

"I was waiting for this call," she said, amusement laced in her voice.

Advay smirked. "Of course, you were."

"176 runs? Seriously?" she continued, half-impressed, half-exasperated. "You guys didn't just win, you erased them!"

He chuckled. "What can I say? We were in the mood."

"No, you were in the mood. Another hundred? You know, you're making this look way too easy."

Advay closed his eyes, listening to her voice, letting the post-match chaos in his head settle.

"Maybe it is easy," he teased.

She groaned. "Ugh, I hate you."

He smirked. "No, you don't."

A pause. Then, softer, she admitted, "I don't. I actually kinda… miss you."

Advay opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. "I love you, Ananya."

She was quiet for a second before she whispered, "I love you too, Advay."

For a moment, they didn't say anything, just listening to each other breathe.

Then, she suddenly spoke again, "By the way, Mr. Business Tycoon, I saw the press conference. You just casually bought Liverpool FC, huh?"

Advay smirked, knowing this was coming. "Figured it was a good investment."

She scoffed. "A good investment? You bought one of the biggest football clubs in the world like you were ordering food on Swiggy."

"Well, I do own Swiggy too, so it fits," he quipped.

She groaned. "Unbelievable."

He chuckled, enjoying her reaction. "Relax, Ananya. Liverpool is in good hands."

She sighed. "I swear, sometimes I can't tell if you're a cricketer, a businessman, or a football club owner."

"Maybe I'm all of them," he said simply.

She laughed softly, then yawned. "Go to sleep, superstar. You've done enough damage for one night."

He exhaled, finally feeling the weight of the day catch up to him. "Goodnight, Ananya."

"Goodnight, Advay."

He ended the call, placed his phone back on the nightstand, and let his eyes drift shut, a rare, genuine sense of peace washing over him.