Chapter 80 :

On November 13, 2020, the evening before the IPL final, the RCB squad, along with their wives and girlfriends, gathered for a team dinner.

The usual lively energy was missing—the atmosphere was tense. Players ate in silence, the weight of the upcoming match pressing down on everyone.

A few minutes passed, and suddenly, Advay Rai burst into laughter.

Everyone stopped and stared at him, confused.

Virat raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

Advay shook his head, still chuckling. "God, why is the atmosphere so tense? I would've passed out seriously."

Some of the players cracked small smiles, while Chahal leaned forward. "Bhai, this is the IPL final, not a casual net session!"

Advay smirked. "Exactly. So let's eat, relax, and enjoy tonight. We can win tomorrow."

Virat exhaled, then smirked. "He's right. We made it this far because we played fearless cricket. Let's keep it that way."

The tension slowly lifted, conversations picked up, and soon, the room felt a little lighter.

As the evening went on, Advay and Virat sat together, talking over their plates.

Virat took a sip of his drink. "You ready for tomorrow?"

Advay smirked. "Always."

Virat chuckled. "You're way too calm for someone about to play the biggest match of his life."

Advay leaned back. "I've done everything I can. No point stressing now."

Virat nodded. "Good. Because we need that mindset tomorrow."

A few seats away, Anushka and Ananya were in their own conversation.

Anushka smiled. "So… how are you feeling?"

Ananya exhaled. "I don't know. It's his biggest match, and somehow I feel like I'm the one with nerves."

Anushka chuckled. "That's how it works when you care about someone this much."

Ananya smiled softly, glancing toward Advay. "Yeah… I just want him to win this. He deserves it."

Anushka nodded. "And if I know anything about Advay, he'll do everything in his power to make sure he does."

On November 14, 2020, at Dubai International Stadium, the stage was set for the IPL 2020 final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.

The atmosphere was electric, even without a live crowd. The stakes were at their highest—RCB chasing their first title, MI looking to defend theirs.

At the toss, Rohit Sharma called it right and without hesitation said, "We'll bat first."

Back in the MI locker room, the mood was focused, intense.

Rohit Sharma, taping his fingers, looked around. "We've been here before. We know what it takes."

Bumrah cracked his knuckles. "They're in form, but so are we."

Pollard clapped his hands together. "One last game. One last fight."

Trent Boult, adjusting his cap, nodded. "Let's put up a score they can't chase."

Rohit stood up, his voice calm but firm. "We do this our way. Let's go."

With that, Mumbai Indians walked out onto the field, ready for war.

The IPL 2020 final had begun with Mumbai Indians batting first after winning the toss, and from the very first over, they made their intentions clear.

Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock walked out, their body language confident, their eyes sharp. They had played in these high-pressure games before and knew exactly what needed to be done.

The first over, Navdeep Saini ran in with the new ball, steaming in at full pace.

First ball—full on middle and off, Rohit leaned in and drove past cover—FOUR! A classic Rohit shot, pure timing, racing to the boundary in no time.

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that's as elegant as it gets! Rohit Sharma on the big stage, and he starts with a statement!"

Saini adjusted his length, going shorter, but Rohit rocked back and pulled it past midwicket—FOUR more!

The MI captain was already looking dangerous.

The next over, Umesh Yadav came in, trying to break the opening stand.

De Kock wasn't going to stay quiet.

Second ball—short, outside off. De Kock shuffled across and ramped it over fine leg—SIX!

Danny Morrison: "OHH STOP IT! De Kock is in the mood tonight!"

Umesh went full next ball—De Kock stayed low and lofted it over extra cover—SIX again!

The RCB players exchanged glances. This was a red-hot start from Mumbai.

By the time Powerplay ended (6 overs), MI had raced to 73/0.

Virat turned to Advay Rai in the 7th over, knowing they needed a breakthrough.

First ball—a slower one outside off. De Kock, looking to go big again, stepped out and tried to loft it over long-on…

MISCUE! The ball went high—Chris Morris settled under it and took the catch!

OUT for 42 off 27 balls.

Danny Morrison: "And there it is! RCB needed that, and Advay Rai delivers yet again!"

Advay, unfazed, walked back to his mark, ready for the next battle.

Suryakumar Yadav walked in, taking his time settling in. Meanwhile, Rohit was still playing his best cricket.

In the 10th over, MI reached 112/1.

Harsha Bhogle: "Rohit Sharma is in complete control here. If RCB doesn't break this soon, they're chasing a massive total tonight."

Advay returned in the 12th over, attacking with sharp cutters. First ball—he got one to drift in at Rohit. The MI skipper tried to work it to leg but played all around it—BOWLED!

OUT for 79 off 52 balls.

Harsha Bhogle: "And Advay Rai does it again! That is a massive wicket in the context of this game!"

RCB fought back, but Mumbai had firepower left.

At 15 overs, MI stood at 168/3.

The final five overs saw Kieron Pollard and Ishan Kishan take over.

In the 17th over, Advay banged in a sharp bouncer at Pollard— but Pollard was waiting. He swiveled and smashed it into the stands over deep midwicket—SIX!

Harsha Bhogle: "That is just raw power! Pollard punishing anything short!"

Chris Morris came in to bowl the 19th over, and the big moment came.

Pollard tried to clear long-on but didn't get the elevation—caught by Devdutt Padikkal!

OUT for 35 off 15 balls.

But Ishan Kishan was still there.

In the final over, Kishan finished with a four and a six, ensuring Mumbai crossed the 220 mark.

Final Score:

Mumbai Indians – 221/5 in 20 overs.

MI Batting Scorecard (2020 Final):

Rohit Sharma – 79 (52) 🔥Quinton de Kock – 42 (27)Suryakumar Yadav – 25 (18)Ishan Kishan – 27 (14)*Kieron Pollard – 35 (15)Hardik Pandya – 8 (4)*

RCB now had to chase 222 to win their first-ever IPL title. A night of destiny awaited.

Virat Kohli and Advay Rai stepped onto the field, the weight of RCB's hopes on their shoulders. The massive target of 222 loomed over them, but they had been in high-pressure situations before. The IPL trophy was within reach, but they had to fight for it.

Trent Boult ran in with the new ball, his eyes locked onto Virat. First delivery—full, swinging into the pads. Virat, with effortless timing, flicked it past midwicket—FOUR!

Harsha Bhogle: "Beautiful! That is Virat Kohli at his best! No nerves, just perfect wrist work!"

Boult adjusted, going wider this time, but Virat was ready. He leaned into a classic cover drive—FOUR more!

Danny Morrison: "Oh-ho! This is the start RCB needed!"

At the other end, Advay faced Jasprit Bumrah in the second over.

First ball—short, quick, rising at him. Advay rocked back and pulled it cleanly—SIX over square leg!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh my word! Advay Rai has just sent Bumrah into the stands!"

But then, the momentum shifted.

In the 4th over, Boult went full outside off, inviting the drive. Virat, looking to pierce the gap, only managed an edge straight to the keeper!

OUT for 18 off 11 balls!

The Mumbai Indians erupted in celebration. Rohit Sharma clenched his fist, knowing they had drawn first blood.

Harsha Bhogle: "And Boult strikes! The RCB captain is gone! A massive moment in this final!"

Advay stood at the other end, gripping his bat a little tighter.

Devdutt Padikkal walked in, looking to steady things, but Rahul Chahar had other plans.

In the 6th over, Chahar tossed one up on middle and leg. Padikkal missed the flick—trapped LBW!

OUT for 8 off 7 balls!

RCB 36/2 in 5.3 overs.

Danny Morrison: "Oh dear! Another one bites the dust! RCB is under pressure now!"

The RCB dugout looked tense. Virat, sitting with his pads still on, shook his head in frustration.

AB de Villiers walked in, the man built for big moments. He didn't waste time. Second ball—stepped out against Chahar and launched him over long-off—SIX!

Harsha Bhogle: "That is AB de Villiers for you! He isn't going to sit back!"

But just when it seemed like RCB was regaining momentum, Bumrah returned in the 8th over and struck.

He bowled a slower yorker, deceptive in its length. AB tried to dig it out but missed—the ball crashed into the stumps!

OUT for 14 off 10 balls!

Danny Morrison: "That is a dream delivery! Bumrah is a magician at the death, and here he is, striking early!"

RCB 53/3 in 7.2 overs.

Shivam Dube walked in, hoping to steady things, but MI was relentless.

In the 9th over, Krunal Pandya fired one in flatter on middle stump. Dube went for the big slog sweep but mistimed it—straight to deep midwicket!

OUT for 9 off 6 balls!

RCB 74/4 in 9 overs.

The stadium was silent on RCB's side. Advay, still at the crease, tapped his bat against the pitch, his face unreadable.

Harsha Bhogle: "It's all up to him now. Advay Rai has played these situations before, but tonight, he carries the hopes of an entire franchise."

At 10 overs, RCB was struggling at 87/4, with Advay Rai (41 off 29) and Chris Morris (6 off 8) at the crease.**

The title was slipping away. Unless something extraordinary happened.

Advay Rai was now in a different zone.

He wasn't thinking about the target, the scoreboard, or even the pressure of the IPL final. He just played.

11th over – Boult returns.

First ball—a full toss on off-stump. Advay shuffles across and scoops it over fine leg—SIX!

Next ball—back of a length, outside off. Advay opens the face and slices it past backward point—FOUR!

Danny Morrison: "HE'S TAKING APART MUMBAI HERE! THE MAN IS ON A MISSION!"

At 12 overs, RCB was 124/5.

Wickets kept falling at the other end.

Morris, trying to go big against Krunal Pandya in the 13th over, mistimed a lofted shot—caught at long-on.

OUT for 15 off 12.

Washington Sundar walked in but lasted only five balls before Bumrah sent a 140 km/h yorker crashing into his stumps.

OUT for 2.

At 15 overs, RCB was 151/7, with Advay on 92.*

Harsha Bhogle: "He's running out of partners, but Advay Rai is still fighting!"

16th over – Rahul Chahar bowls.

First ball—short, Advay rocks back and cuts it behind point—FOUR!

Next ball—full on leg stump, he sweeps it powerfully past square leg—FOUR more!

He was now on 99.*

The next ball, Chahar flights it up—Advay steps forward and lofts it over extra cover—FOUR!

Century for Advay Rai. But he doesn't celebrate. No fist pumps, no emotions. Just a quick look at the scoreboard before walking back to his crease.

Harsha Bhogle: "He doesn't even care. He knows the job isn't done."

At 18 overs, RCB was 174/8.

Navdeep Saini tried to hold on but got cleaned up by Boult in the 19th over while trying to slog—OUT for 3.

Last over. 22 needed. Advay on strike.

The entire stadium was silent, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. RCB's dream of winning their first-ever IPL title rested on one man—Advay Rai.

First ball – full and straight. Advay steps forward and swings through it—HIGH AND LONG!

SIX!

Harsha Bhogle: "OH MY WORD! ADVAY RAI HAS JUST SENT THAT INTO THE NIGHT SKY!"

RCB 16 runs away.

Second ball – short outside off. Advay slices it toward deep point—runs hard—TWO!

RCB 14 runs away.

Third ball – full, on off-stump. Advay gets under it and drives it through extra cover—FOUR!

RCB 10 runs away.

Fourth ball – wide yorker. Advay reaches for it and carves it behind point—TWO more!

RCB 8 runs away.

Fifth ball – slower one, Advay waits and tucks it toward midwicket—another TWO!

RCB 6 runs needed off 1 ball.

The entire stadium was on edge. The bowler took his mark. The MI fielders adjusted, their nerves visible.

The bowler ran in, charging toward the crease—

And just before he could release the ball, Advay suddenly stepped away.

The umpire immediately signaled for the bowler to go back and re-run.

Advay, however, wasn't looking at the field.

He stood completely still, eyes closed, looking up at the night sky.

For a brief moment, everything around him faded.

The 2019 IPL final flashed in his mind.

Same team. Same situation. Same six runs needed off the last ball.

And he lost.

He could still feel it—the heartbreak, the pain of falling just short, the image of the ball bouncing inside the boundary for a four instead of clearing the ropes. He remembered how he broke down that night, how he felt like he had let everyone down.

But not this time.

His jaw clenched, his grip tightened on his bat. His eyes opened, sharp and focused.

This time, he was not going to lose.

The camera zoomed in on his face, capturing the sheer intensity in his eyes.

Danny Morrison: "Oh-ho! Just look at him! That is the look of a man who has unfinished business!"

The stadium held its breath.

The bowler took his mark again.

One ball. One shot. One moment for history.