Chapter 87

Advay and Ananya sat in the car, the echoes of the studio still ringing in their ears. The neon lights of the city flickered through the windshield, casting a soft glow over them. Ananya leaned back, exhaling deeply as she glanced at Advay, who had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting casually on the gear shift.

"Well," she finally said, tilting her head towards him, "that was… something."

Advay let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, that man really knows how to stir things up."

Ananya smirked. "Oh, come on. You handled it well."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "Did I? Because I feel like we just gave him enough material to fuel headlines for weeks."

She laughed. "That's what you signed up for."

Advay shook his head, his lips curling into a smirk. "Remind me to never sign up for this again."

Ananya nudged his arm playfully. "Too late for that. You're a Bollywood fiancé now. Comes with the package."

He shot her a sideways glance. "Yeah? Then what do I get in return?"

Ananya smirked. "Me."

Advay scoffed, shaking his head with a grin. "Right. Clearly, I got the better end of this deal."

Ananya flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Obviously."

The car fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the hum of the engine the only sound between them.

As the car cruised through the quiet streets, Advay glanced at Ananya, a thought lingering in his mind.

"So, after we get married… where do you want to live?"

Ananya looked at him, slightly surprised by the question. She thought for a moment before replying, "Honestly? I don't like huge houses."

Advay smirked. "Same."

She raised an eyebrow. "Really? You give off 'massive mansion with an infinity pool' vibes."

He let out a small chuckle. "Not my thing. Too much space, too many rooms, feels empty."

Ananya nodded. "Exactly! I'd rather live somewhere cozy but well-designed, where it actually feels like home."

Advay tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, as if considering something. "You've been to the Swiggy office with me, right?"

She glanced at him. "Yeah, a few times. Why?"

He smirked. "How about we convert one of the floors into our home?"

Ananya blinked. "Advay… it's a 37-floor skyscraper."

He nodded casually. "Exactly. We take the 37th floor, remodel it into our space. Just imagine the view from up there."

Ananya stared at him. "You're serious?"

He glanced at her with a small smirk. "When am I not?"

She shook her head, laughing. "You're ridiculous. But… I kind of love the idea."

Advay grinned, shifting gears. "Good. Because I was going to do it anyway."

Ananya rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Of course, you were."

The thought of having their own space—above the city, away from the world, yet still close to everything—suddenly felt perfect.

The morning of November 27, 2020, was filled with the usual bustle of the airport. Travelers moved around with hurried steps, announcements echoed through the terminals, and yet, for Advay and Ananya, the world felt a little quieter in that moment.

Advay stood near the departure gate, his luggage beside him, dressed casually but carrying the unmistakable presence of a man ready for battle. Ananya stood in front of him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"So," she finally said, "second ODI, huh?"

Advay nodded. "Yeah."

She exhaled, looking away for a second before glancing back at him. "Take care, okay?"

He smirked slightly. "When do I not?"

Ananya rolled her eyes. "That's literally my point. Just… be careful."

He studied her for a moment before stepping closer, wrapping his arms around her. She sank into the hug, her arms locking around his back, holding on just a little tighter than usual.

As they pulled back, Advay cupped her cheek lightly and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against her lips.

Ananya blinked, slightly taken aback. "Public place, Mr. Cricketer."

Advay smirked. "Let them watch."

She shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Go before I change my mind and make you stay."

He picked up his bag, giving her one last look. "See you soon."

And with that, he walked toward the boarding gate, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Ananya standing there, watching him go.

The morning sun shone over Sydney as Advay's flight touched down, marking his arrival for the series. It was November 30, 2020, and he was set to join the Indian squad at their hotel.

After collecting his luggage, he made his way to the team hotel, where most of the players were already gathered in the lounge, chatting over breakfast.

The moment he stepped in, KL Rahul spotted him first.

"Ah, look who decided to join us!" Rahul smirked, nudging Hardik Pandya.

Hardik grinned. "The Crown Prince himself."

"Missed me?" Advay said, casually dropping his bag beside the couch.

"Oh, terribly," Rohit Sharma chimed in, leaning back in his chair. "The dressing room was too quiet without you."

Virat, sitting next to him, shook his head. "Or maybe we just enjoyed the peace while it lasted."

The group laughed as Advay smirked, unfazed.

Jasprit Bumrah crossed his arms, tilting his head. "But seriously, man, only five series in, and it already feels like you've been with us forever."

"That's because he has no off-switch," Shreyas Iyer added. "Either he's batting, taking wickets, or making the rest of us look bad."

"That, or he's busy making headlines for something else," Chahal teased, wiggling his eyebrows. "How was the goodbye, by the way?"

A few players grinned, some chuckled. Advay rolled his eyes.

"You guys have nothing better to talk about?" he asked, grabbing a bottle of water.

"Nope," Shami grinned. "This is more entertaining."

As the banter continued, Ravi Shastri walked in, clapping his hands. "Alright, alright, let the man breathe. He just landed. Welcome back, Advay."

Advay gave a nod. "Good to be back, coach."

With that, the team got back to their usual chatter, the atmosphere relaxed but buzzing with energy. Advay was here, and the squad was complete.

The morning of December 2, 2020, was bright and clear in Canberra, Australia. The iconic Manuka Oval was buzzing with anticipation as thousands of fans filled the stands, the sea of blue and gold creating a vibrant mix of energy.

With the series level at 1-1, this match would decide the ODI winner, adding extra intensity to an already heated contest. The Indian team walked out for the toss, the cameras zooming in on the captains as the coin was flipped.

"India wins the toss and chooses to bat first!" the broadcaster announced, sending the traveling Indian fans into cheers.

From the commentary box, Harsha Bhogle's voice carried the excitement. "This is the decider, and India is backing its strength—setting a total and putting Australia under pressure. With players like Advay coming in, the batting lineup looks even stronger."

Ricky Ponting, analyzing the decision, added, "Good call by India. The pitch looks solid for batting early on, and they'll want to put up a strong score. Australia, though, will come hard at them."

As the players lined up on the boundary, preparing for the national anthems, the atmosphere in the stadium reached another level. The crowd roared in anticipation.

With the anthems done, the players took their positions. The stadium held its breath.

India's openers, Rohit Sharma and Advay, walked out to the middle, the cameras following their every move. The opposition bowlers huddled for one last discussion.

The umpire signaled for play to begin.

The decider had begun.

The Manuka Oval in Canberra was buzzing with energy as Advay Rai and Rohit Sharma took their positions at the crease. The Indian fans in the stands were chanting loudly, their voices echoing across the stadium, while the Australian players adjusted their field placements, knowing they had to strike early.

Pat Cummins had the new ball.

First delivery, a perfect back-of-a-length delivery on off-stump, seaming away slightly. Advay watched it closely, leaned in, and punched it through covers with immaculate timing. The ball raced away for four.

Harsha Bhogle from the commentary box: "Oh, what a start! Just a gentle push and it's speeding away. Advay Rai looks in the mood today!"

Cummins, adjusting his length, tried a full ball, targeting the stumps. But Advay was ready—his bat came down like a whip, lofting it straight back over the bowler's head for six!

The crowd erupted, the Indian fans waving their flags, while the Australian fielders exchanged glances.

Ricky Ponting (commentary): "You cannot bowl there to Advay Rai. That's right in his zone. If Australia doesn't get him early, this could be a long, long night."

At the other end, Rohit Sharma joined the party, flicking Josh Hazlewood for a beautiful six over midwicket. The partnership was already looking dangerous as both batters started taking on the bowling attack.

By the 8th over, India had raced to 72/0.

Advay was batting on 39 off 21, playing some outrageous shots, while Rohit was on 30 off 27, rotating strike well.

Australia needed a breakthrough. Aaron Finch tossed the ball to Adam Zampa.

Zampa's first ball was tossed up invitingly. Advay stepped out and smashed it flat over extra cover for six!

Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, that is ridiculous! Advay Rai is treating the Australian attack like net bowlers!"

The crowd was loving it, the Indian supporters getting louder with every shot.

Zampa, looking for redemption, bowled a quicker, flatter one. This time, Advay played it late, cutting it past point for four!

By the 12th over, India was flying at 110/0.

Hazlewood, brought back into the attack, finally got a breakthrough in the 14th over. He bowled a well-disguised slow cutter outside off, and Rohit, trying to loft it over covers, miscued it straight to Steve Smith.

Rohit was out for 47 off 36.

Virat Kohli walked in, the crowd buzzing even louder as two of India's best took the crease together.

Advay continued his assault, smashing a stunning pull shot off Starc for six in the 16th over. Virat, meanwhile, took his time to settle before unleashing a crisp cover drive for four.

By the 20th over, India was 165/1.

Advay was now on 89 off 50, closing in on yet another hundred, while Virat had moved to 22 off 16, playing second fiddle.

The Australian bowlers looked clueless, their lines and lengths all over the place. The Indian dugout was on its feet, cheering every boundary.

In the 23rd over, Advay reached his century in style—a stunning inside-out lofted drive off Zampa, sending the ball over the cover boundary for six!

Harsha Bhogle: "Take a bow, Advay Rai! Another hundred for the superstar! He is making this look effortless!"

Advay removed his helmet, shrugged casually at the dressing room, as the crowd chanted his name.

By the end of 25 overs, India was 197/1.

Advay was on 112 off 63, striking at nearly 180, while Virat was on 36 off 24, building the partnership.

The Australian players looked exhausted, the Indian fans were celebrating, and it was clear—Advay Rai was once again putting on a masterclass.

The onslaught continued as the Australian bowlers struggled to contain the destruction. Advay was in unstoppable form, and Virat, now settled, was starting to shift gears.

Starc steamed in for the 26th over, angling a full delivery into Advay's pads. Advay, effortlessly, flicked it over deep square leg for six, barely even moving his feet. The ball sailed over the ropes, and the Indian fans in the crowd erupted once again.

Harsha Bhogle (commentary): "You just cannot stop this man! That's pure wristwork, pure class!"

Ricky Ponting: "This is some of the most brutal batting I've ever seen in an ODI. Australia needs a miracle to stop him."

The next ball, short and outside off, was ruthlessly cut past point for four. Starc shook his head, frustrated.

At the 30-over mark, India was 242/1.

Advay was now on 141 off 84 balls, while Virat had moved to 57 off 40, stroking the ball beautifully.

Seeing no other option, Aaron Finch turned to Maxwell, hoping spin might do the trick.

It didn't.

First ball—Advay leaned into the shot and slog-swept it flat over deep midwicket for six!

The crowd exploded again, with Indian flags waving across the stadium.

Harsha Bhogle: "It's raining sixes in Canberra, and Advay Rai is the storm!"

Maxwell, under pressure, dropped one slightly short. Advay rocked back and pulled it ferociously past square leg for another boundary!

The next ball, Maxwell flighted it outside off, and this time, Virat stepped out, got to the pitch, and lofted it inside-out over extra cover for six!

Ravi Shastri: "Virat joins the party! The partnership is soaring, and Australia has no answers!"

At the 35-over mark, India had reached a staggering 291/1.

Advay: 167 off 102

Virat: 78 off 55

Australia was desperate for a wicket, and finally, Pat Cummins provided one in the 37th over. He bowled a full delivery outside off, and Virat, looking to go over mid-off, mistimed it straight to Finch.

Virat out for 87 off 61 balls.

The Australian crowd cheered the wicket, but the Indian fans were louder, knowing the damage had already been done.

KL Rahul walked in next, but Advay was still the main event.

By the 40th over, India had smashed past 340/2.

Advay: 189 off 118

Rahul: 12 off 8

The final 10 overs were pure chaos.

Hazlewood, returning for his last spell, tried a yorker. Advay read it early, adjusted, and scooped it straight over the keeper's head for six!

Ravi Shastri: "This is outrageous! A scoop for six off Hazlewood?! Advay Rai is playing on another level!"

The Australian bowlers looked deflated.

Then, in the 44th over, Advay reached his double century with a monstrous six off Starc, launching it deep into the stands at long-on.

The stadium exploded with cheers, and Advay took off his helmet, raised his bat, and then blew a flying kiss with the bat toward the Indian dressing room.

Harsha Bhogle: "It's a double hundred for the unstoppable Advay Rai! This is pure destruction!"

The dressing room was on its feet, clapping, cheering. The cameras panned across the crowd, capturing the sea of Indian fans celebrating wildly. Even though Ananya wasn't in the stands, Advay knew she was watching somewhere.

Rahul, now taking charge, smashed back-to-back sixes in the 47th over, taking India past 380.

The last few overs were absolute carnage.

By the 50th over, India had finished at 414/3.

Advay: 221 off 132 balls*

Rahul: 53 off 27 balls*

The Indian dugout rushed onto the field, high-fiving Advay and Rahul, while the Australian players looked completely drained.

The crowd stood in applause, knowing they had just witnessed one of the greatest ODI innings of all time.

Under the bright lights of Manuka Oval, the Australian openers, Aaron Finch and David Warner, walked onto the field, knowing that chasing 415 was beyond difficult—it was almost impossible. The Indian bowlers, fired up and full of energy, set aggressive fields, ready to defend their record-breaking total.

The crowd was still buzzing from Advay's double century, with the Indian fans chanting and waving flags, making their presence felt.

Meanwhile, in the Indian dugout, Advay had been substituted to manage his workload after batting the full 50 overs. He now sat relaxed, shoes off, sipping on an energy drink, with his phone pressed to his ear. Ananya had called him the moment India finished batting.

"You saw that, right?" Advay asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Of course, I did," Ananya replied, still sounding half in shock, half in awe. "Are you even human, Advay? 221? You didn't just bat; you obliterated them!"

Advay chuckled, watching the Indian players take their positions on the field. "Just another day at work," he said casually.

"Liar," she scoffed. "You know exactly what you did out there."

Before Advay could respond, the stadium erupted in cheers as Jasprit Bumrah steamed in with the new ball, eyes locked onto Finch.

First delivery—a toe-crushing yorker at 147 km/h!

Finch barely had time to react. The ball swung in late, sneaked under the bat, and crashed into middle stump!

BOWLED HIM!

The Indian players jumped in celebration, surrounding Bumrah, while the Australian captain walked off in stunned silence.

The crowd exploded, the Indian fans on their feet, waving their flags, while the Australian fans sat in disbelief.

Harsha Bhogle (commentary): "Jasprit Bumrah, take a bow! That's the perfect yorker! First over, first breakthrough! And Australia's chase is already in shambles!"

In the dugout, Advay smirked, still holding his phone.

"Hold on, Ananya. I think this match is going to be over sooner than expected."

She laughed softly. "I was just about to say the same thing."

As the match continued, Advay remained on the call with Ananya, lounging in the dugout, his eyes flicking between the field and his phone.

"Bumrah looks lethal tonight," Ananya commented from the other end. "That yorker to Finch? Insane."

Advay smirked. "Yeah, you don't survive those. Bumrah's in the mood. Australia might not last long."

Out in the middle, Mohammed Shami ran in to bowl to Warner.

Short ball—Warner tried to pull but mistimed it horribly. The ball flew straight to midwicket, where Kohli took an easy catch!

Warner OUT!

The Indian fans erupted, while the Australians in the crowd groaned.

"And there goes Warner," Advay muttered, watching the replays. "Told you, they won't last long."

Ananya laughed. "It's only the second over! At this rate, they won't even make it past 150."

The match progressed quickly, with India's bowlers ripping through Australia's top order. Steve Smith, looking solid, tried to build a partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, but in the 10th over, Chahal struck.

A perfect leg-break—Smith danced down the track but was beaten in flight.

Pant whipped off the bails in a flash—GONE!

"Too easy," Advay muttered. "Smith misread that completely."

Ananya chuckled. "I feel bad for Australia. They've barely recovered from the trauma of your 221, and now your bowlers are bullying them."

By the 20th over, Australia was struggling at 98/5, and the match was all but over.

"This is brutal," Ananya said. "They're getting crushed at home."

"It happens," Advay replied, watching as Jadeja deceived another batter with his sharp turn, sending Labuschagne back. "You either dominate, or you get dominated."

As the final wickets tumbled, Ananya's voice turned teasing.

"Alright, Mr. Record Breaker, since the match is almost done—what's next? More destruction in the Tests?"

Advay smirked, glancing at the scoreboard. Australia was nine down, just minutes away from defeat.

As the final wicket fell, and India sealed a crushing victory, Advay stood up from the dugout, stretching his arms. The Indian players were out on the field, celebrating, shaking hands with the Australian team, while the crowd cheered loudly.

Still holding his phone, he smirked. "Too bad you weren't here to see it live."

Ananya chuckled. "Yeah, but I still got to witness it through you."

Advay paused for a moment, looking out at the stadium, the scoreboard flashing India's dominant win. Then, in a low, steady voice, he said:

"I love you, Ananya."

She was silent for a second before softly replying, "I love you too, Advay."

He smiled, holding onto those words for a moment before finally saying, "Alright, I'll call you later. Gotta go celebrate."

"Go ahead, superstar. You earned it."

As he ended the call and walked toward his teammates, the night felt just a little better.