Chapter 78 :

As soon as Advay revealed his plan, the wives and girlfriends at the table froze, eyes wide in pure shock.

Anushka was the first to react. "Wait… WHAT?!"

Dhanashree's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?!"

Meanwhile, the players stayed completely calm—because, of course, they already knew.

AB de Villiers smirked, sipping his drink. "Took them long enough to find out."

Anushka turned to Virat, eyes narrowing. "You knew?!"

Virat chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, we all did."

Chahal, for once, looked smug. "And we actually kept it a secret. Shocking, right?"

Anushka shook her head in disbelief. "You guys have been hiding this all this time?!"

Dhanashree clutched her heart dramatically. "A full-on, stadium proposal?! LIVE ON TV?! Advay, you are insane."

Advay smirked, unfazed. "I like the theatrics."

Anushka finally sat back, still processing. "Wow. She is not ready for this."

Dhanashree shook her head with a laugh. "Nope. And I cannot wait to see her reaction."

As the chatter and shock continued around the table, Advay leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and smirked.

"To be fair… I am quite afraid."

The table went silent for a second before Anushka blinked. "Wait, you? Afraid?"

Chahal almost choked on his drink. "Bhai, you've hit hundreds under pressure, chased impossible targets, and you're scared of this?!"

Dhanashree gasped. "Oh my God, Advay Rai is nervous?! Somebody record this moment!"

AB de Villiers chuckled, shaking his head. "This is gold."

Virat smirked, raising an eyebrow. "So, what's scarier—facing Bumrah at 150 km/h or proposing to Ananya in front of millions of people?"

Advay exhaled. "I'd take Bumrah. At least with him, I know what's coming."

The table burst into laughter, with Anushka shaking her head. "Oh, she is going to love this."

Chahal grinned mischievously. "Bhai, we should start practicing proposal speeches. Imagine—'Ananya, my dear, I love you more than my batting average…'"

"Chahal," Advay said, dead serious. "If you don't shut up, I'm opting out of the final."

The entire table erupted again, the excitement buzzing in the air.

As the laughter started to die down, Ananya walked back to the table, eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the expressions around her.

Everyone was too quiet—or at least, trying too hard to act normal.

She slid into her seat next to Advay, glancing around. "Okay… what just happened?"

Virat took a sip of his drink, avoiding eye contact. Anushka was still grinning, and Chahal—for once in his life—was struggling to hold back his excitement.

Ananya's gaze landed on Advay, suspicious. "You. What did you do?"

Advay, completely unfazed, popped a fry into his mouth and shrugged. "Nothing."

She raised an eyebrow. "Liar."

Dhanashree leaned in, smirking. "You missed something big."

Ananya turned back to Advay immediately. "Okay, now you're telling me."

Advay just smirked, not saying a word.

And that only made her even more determined.

Ananya's eyes darted between everyone at the table, suspicion growing by the second.

Before she could press further, Anushka smiled apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, Ananya, we made a pact with Advay, so we can't tell you."

Ananya's eyebrows shot up. "A pact? With him?"

Chahal nodded eagerly. "Yes! A very serious, unbreakable pact!"

Dhanashree tried to hold back her laughter, while AB de Villiers pretended to zip his lips.

Ananya slowly turned to Advay, narrowing her eyes. "Rai. Talk."

Advay, smirking as usual, leaned back. "Nope."

She exhaled, shaking her head. "Oh, you are so not getting away with this."

But no matter how much she tried, no one cracked.

And now, she wanted to know even more.

As the dinner wrapped up and everyone started heading back, Advay and Ananya walked toward their room, the quiet hum of the hotel filling the space around them.

The moment the door shut behind them, Ananya turned to face him, arms crossed. "Alright, spill it."

Advay smirked, tossing his phone onto the nightstand. "Spill what?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't play dumb. The pact. What did you promise?"

He shrugged, completely unfazed. "Can't say."

Ananya huffed, stepping closer. "Advay."

"Ananya."

She groaned, grabbing a pillow and lightly hitting him with it. "You are infuriating!"

He chuckled, catching the pillow before it could hit him again. "You'll find out soon enough."

She glared. "I hate you."

He smirked, pulling her closer, arms looping around her waist. "No, you don't."

She sighed, resting her hands on his chest, looking up at him. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But just know—I will figure it out."

Advay grinned. "Looking forward to it."

Ananya huffed, trying to pull away. "No. You don't get to keep secrets and get cuddles."

Advay smirked, tightening his grip around her waist. "I think I do."

She tried to push against his chest, but he effortlessly pulled her closer, holding her firmly against him.

"Advay!" she protested, squirming.

He just smirked. "Keep fighting if you want. You're not going anywhere."

She glared up at him but soon stopped struggling, letting out a frustrated sigh before settling against his chest.

He chuckled. "See? That wasn't so hard."

"Shut up, Rai," she muttered, her voice muffled against him.

His smirk softened as he rested his chin against her hair. "Good night, Ananya."

She exhaled, her body relaxing completely. "Good night, Advay."

And just like that, she fell asleep wrapped in his arms.

The qualifiers 1 , RCB vs MI

Trent Boult ran in for the first over, the new ball swinging under the Dubai lights. First ball—full, tailing in at 140 km/h. Virat Kohli stepped across, looking to flick it away—trapped in front! The umpire's finger went up instantly.

OUT for 0!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, would you believe it! The RCB captain is gone first ball! This is a dream start for Mumbai!"

Advay, standing at the non-striker's end, exhaled sharply but didn't react. He tapped his bat against the pitch and refocused.

AB de Villiers walked in, knowing RCB needed stability. But Jasprit Bumrah had other plans.

In the third over, Bumrah bowled a back-of-a-length delivery at 148 km/h, the ball skidding into AB. He tried to cut but got a thin edge—straight to the keeper!

OUT for 5!

Danny Morrison: "Oh-ho! This is disaster for RCB! Two of their biggest match-winners are back in the dugout!"

At the other end, Advay was battling alone.

Against Boult in the fifth over, Boult pitched it up—Advay drove it on the rise past extra cover—FOUR!

Next ball—short, angling in. Advay hooked it cleanly over fine leg—SIX!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that is a statement shot! Advay Rai taking the fight to Mumbai!"

But the wickets kept tumbling.

In the sixth over, Rahul Chahar tossed one up, and Devdutt Padikkal went for a lofted shot—mistimed, straight to long-on!

OUT for 11!

RCB 37/3 in 5.5 overs.

Chris Morris walked in, hoping to stabilize. But in the ninth over, Kieron Pollard bowled a deceptive slower ball, and Morris mistimed his lofted shot straight to deep midwicket!

OUT for 8!

Ian Bishop: "Another one bites the dust! Mumbai are all over RCB right now!"

By the 10-over mark, RCB was struggling at 76/4, with Advay Rai (44) and Shivam Dube (6)** at the crease. Advay was playing his shots, but he needed someone to stay with him.

Advay walked up to Shivam Dube, his expression calm but intense.

"Rotate strike," he said, tapping his bat against Dube's. "Trust me."

Dube nodded. "Got it."

From the very next over, Advay Rai entered a different realm—one only he had access to.

11th over – Jasprit Bumrah runs in.

First ball—full, 150 km/h, straight at the stumps. Advay picked it early, stepped across, and flicked it nonchalantly over deep square leg—SIX!

Next ball—banged in short. Advay leaned back, uppercutting it over third man—FOUR!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, this is insane! Advay Rai has just shifted gears, and Mumbai is in trouble!"

At the other end, Dube followed instructions perfectly, taking singles and giving Advay the strike.

13th over – Trent Boult tries to stop the carnage.

First ball—Advay steps out, making room, and drives inside-out over extra cover—FOUR!

Next ball—Boult goes short, but Advay is waiting. He swivels and hooks it flat over fine leg—SIX!

Danny Morrison: "OHH STOP IT! Advay Rai is taking apart the best bowling attack in the league!"

By the 15-over mark, RCB had raced to 154/4, with Advay on 97 and Dube on 14.**

16th over – Rahul Chahar's nightmare.

First ball—Advay steps out and launches him over long-off—SIX!

Next ball—a tossed-up leg break. Advay waits, adjusts, and reverse-sweeps it over point—FOUR!

Harsha Bhogle: "There's no stopping this man! He's playing every shot in the book!"

Next ball—Advay steps across and sweeps with brutal power—SIX more!

100 off 52 balls. Century number SIX of the season.

The entire RCB dugout rose to their feet, applauding.

Virat Kohli, watching from the dressing room, shook his head, smiling. "This guy is something else."

18th over – Pollard bowls.

First ball—Advay shuffles across, gets under it, and ramps it over the keeper—FOUR!

Next ball—full toss outside off. Advay opens the face and slices it behind point—FOUR more!

By 19 overs, RCB stood at 198/4, with Advay on 145 and Dube on 19.**

The final over—Bumrah runs in.

First ball—low full toss. Advay drives it powerfully down the ground—FOUR!

Next ball—slower one. Advay waits, then scoops it over fine leg—SIX!

Last ball—Bumrah fires in a yorker, but Advay digs it out and drills it past extra cover—FOUR more!

RCB finishes at 218/4 in 20 overs.

Advay Rai 164 off 73 balls*, an all-time IPL playoffs masterclass.

Shivam Dube 22 off 20*, the perfect supporting act.

Ian Bishop: "That… was one of the greatest T20 innings we have ever seen!"

Danny Morrison: "Unbelievable! This is Advay Rai's world, and we're all just watching!"

Mumbai had a mountain to climb.

Up in the VIP stands, the wives and girlfriends were buzzing after Advay's unbelievable innings.

Dhanashree shook her head in disbelief. "That was unreal. How does he do that?"

Anushka chuckled. "I don't even think he knows. It's just instinct at this point."

Ananya, still watching the replay on the big screen, exhaled. "164* in a playoff match… this is insane."

Dhanashree nudged her. "Your boyfriend just smashed one of the best bowling attacks in the world, and all you can say is 'this is insane'?"

Ananya smirked. "What do you want me to say? That I'm used to it?"

Anushka laughed. "Honestly? At this point, we all are."

Dhanashree grinned. "If RCB wins this, he'll probably just act like it was another day at work."

Ananya scoffed. "Oh, I know he will."

They watched as Advay walked back toward the dugout, completely unfazed, like he hadn't just played one of the greatest IPL innings ever.

Ananya shook her head with a small smile. Unbelievable.

Inside the Mumbai Indians locker room, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

Rohit Sharma sat with his arms crossed, staring at the replay of Advay Rai's unbeaten 164 on the TV screen. The entire room was silent, apart from the faint sounds of the match broadcast.

Bumrah exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I bowled yorkers, I bowled bouncers… nothing worked."

Trent Boult shook his head. "I've bowled to the best in the world, but this… this was different."

Kieron Pollard leaned back against the wall, looking frustrated. "We tried everything. Slower balls, cutters, wide lines. He just didn't miss."

Rohit finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Forget it. We still have a chase to focus on."

The players nodded, but the weight of the target—219 in a high-pressure knockout game—hung over them like a storm cloud.

Mumbai needed something extraordinary to pull this off.

As the second innings began, Advay Rai was substituted out, given a well-deserved rest after his superhuman knock. He had a slight pain in his wrist, and with RCB just one step from the final, the team didn't want to take any risks.

Mumbai's chase started aggressively. Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock came out swinging, knowing they needed to go big from ball one.

In the third over, Umesh Yadav pitched one short—Rohit rocked back and pulled it flat over midwicket—SIX!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that is Hitman at his best! MI is not backing down from this chase!"

Navdeep Saini ran in for the fifth over. First ball—full, wide outside off. De Kock reached out and carved it behind point—FOUR!

Next ball—banged in short. De Kock hooked it over fine leg—SIX!

At the end of the Powerplay (6 overs), MI was 72/0, keeping themselves in the hunt.

But then, the wickets started tumbling.

In the 8th over, Yuzvendra Chahal struck. He tossed one up, inviting Rohit to go big—Rohit stepped out, mistimed the lofted shot, and was caught at long-off!

OUT for 41!

Danny Morrison: "Oh, big moment in the game! Chahal breaks through, and RCB breathes again!"

Two overs later, Washington Sundar trapped de Kock LBW for 36, and MI was suddenly 98/2 in 10 overs.

Kieron Pollard and Ishan Kishan tried to revive the chase, but RCB's bowlers kept the pressure on.

At 15 overs, MI was 157/3, needing 62 off the last 30 balls.

Navdeep Saini returned for the 16th over and bowled an inch-perfect yorker to Pollard, sending his off-stump flying. OUT for 29!

Harsha Bhogle: "That is a dream delivery! Navdeep Saini just crushed Mumbai's hopes!"

With the required rate climbing, Mumbai kept losing wickets.

In the final over, MI needed 25 runs. Morris kept it tight, conceding only six runs off the first four balls.

Last ball—MI needed 19. The match was already won. The dugout erupted as RCB completed a famous victory.

Final Score:

RCB 218/4 (20 overs)

MI 200/6 (20 overs)

RCB won by 18 runs, securing a spot in the IPL 2020 final!

Advay Rai was named Man of the Match for his 164 off 73 balls*, a knock that single-handedly took RCB to the IPL 2020 final.

At the post-match presentation, Harsha Bhogle stood beside him, microphone in hand, as the cameras zoomed in.

"Advay Rai, 164* in a playoff game, taking apart one of the best bowling attacks in the IPL—this wasn't just a great innings, it was legendary. Walk me through it. What was going through your mind?"

Advay smirked slightly, adjusting his cap. "Nothing much, just reacting to the ball. They bowled in my zone, and I made sure to capitalize."

Harsha chuckled. "See, this is why bowlers have sleepless nights! Now, you've taken RCB to the final. Last time, you came so close. Does that add pressure?"

Advay exhaled, his expression momentarily serious. "Not really. We know what we need to do. We're in a good space as a team."

Harsha nodded. "And finally, before I let you go, what do you want to say to the RCB fans watching?"

Advay looked directly at the camera, his voice steady, his words deliberate.

"We lost the final last time. We know how much it hurt. But we, as a team, promise you—this year, we will win it."

"thank you"

As the teams shook hands after the match, RCB and MI players gathered near the boundary, exchanging words and smiles despite the high stakes.

Advay walked over to Jasprit Bumrah, who gave a small shake of his head, smirking. "You really don't like facing normal deliveries, do you?"

Advay chuckled. "Not my fault you kept bowling in my zone."

Bumrah sighed. "Yorkers, bouncers, slower balls—nothing worked today."

Advay patted his shoulder. "It happens. You've had your days against me too."

Bumrah smirked. "True. But if we meet again in the final, I'm not letting you have another one."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "Looking forward to it."

They shared a handshake, competitors on the field, but always respectful off it.