Chapter 89 :
Back in his hotel room, Advay settled onto the bed, still feeling the energy from the match. Without thinking twice, he picked up his phone and video-called Ananya.
The screen lit up, and after a few rings, Ananya's face appeared—but she wasn't alone. Rysa was sitting beside her, grinning mischievously.
"Bhaiii!" Rysa shouted before Ananya could even speak. "179?!! You don't play cricket, you play GTA with cheat codes!"*
Ananya rolled her eyes, laughing. "Relax, Rysa." She turned to Advay, smiling. "I was just about to call you. Congratulations, Mr. Record-Breaker."
Advay smirked, leaning back against the headboard. "You watched, right?"
Rysa gasped dramatically. "Of course! Bhai, I was ready to sleep, but no! After 100, I knew you weren't stopping! Ananya was losing her mind the whole time."
Ananya nudged Rysa. "Shut up!" She turned back to Advay, eyes softening. "You were incredible."
Advay grinned. "You liked it?"
Ananya nodded. "Loved it."
Rysa clapped her hands. "Okay, okay, romance later! First, tell me—what was with that flying kiss to Zampa? That was the highlight of the night!"
Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "He was talking too much, so I just gave him something to remember."
Rysa fell back laughing, while Ananya sighed, shaking her head. "One day, you're going to get into trouble for this."
Advay smirked. "Well, that's what keeps it fun, doesn't it?"
As the laughter settled, Ananya looked at Advay, a soft smile on her face. "Seriously though, you were amazing today. I'm so proud of you."
Advay held her gaze for a moment, his usual smirk replaced by something more genuine. "Love you, Ananya."
She smiled warmly. "Love you too, Advay."
Rysa groaned. "Ugh, I'm still here, you know!"
Ananya giggled, while Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Goodnight, Rysa. Don't miss me too much."
"Yeah, yeah," Rysa waved him off. "Just go break another record in the next match."
Advay smirked, gave Ananya one last look, then ended the call.
After ending the call, Advay stretched his arms, leaned back against the pillows, and picked up his phone again. He already knew what he was about to see, and the moment he opened Twitter and Instagram, his entire timeline was flooded with reactions.
Twitter was in absolute chaos.
@CricFever: "Advay Rai doesn't play cricket. He commits war crimes against bowlers. 179 in a T20? Unreal!"*
@ESPNcricinfo: "Advay Rai's innings today was a cheat code come to life. The most dominant T20 knock in history?"
@MichaelVaughan: "This guy is something else. Absolutely ridiculous ball striking. Advay Rai is re-writing cricket history every time he walks out to bat."
One meme had a picture of Zampa looking frustrated, with the caption:
"Advay hits a six, blows a flying kiss… Zampa: 'This is personal now.'"
Another one showed Cummins looking helpless, with the words:
"Captain: 'Have you figured out how to get Advay out?' Bowlers: 'No, and at this point, I'm afraid to ask.'"
Advay laughed, shaking his head as he scrolled down.
Another post showed a clip of Advay casually scooping Cummins for six, with the caption:
"Bro just hit a 150 km/h delivery like it was gully cricket. What are we even watching?"
@CricketMemeLord: (Photoshopped image of ICC changing the T20I rules with the caption:)
"New rule proposal: If Advay Rai is batting, the match automatically becomes 25 overs per side for balance."
Advay chuckled, but Instagram wasn't any better.
Instagram was no less dramatic.
His comment section was a battlefield of pure insanity.
Virat Kohli had commented: "Bhai, save some records for the rest of us." 🔥🔥
Chahal: "Bhai, bowlers ka bhi ghar hota hai. Ghar jaane de unko." 😂 (Bro, bowlers also have families. Let them go home in peace.)
Rishabh Pant: "The real question is… did you get bored after 100?" 😂
A Bollywood actress had commented: "Are you even real?" 😳
Even international cricketers had joined in.
Chris Gayle: "Yow yow!! This man is the real Universe Boss now!!" 🔥🔥🔥
Kevin Pietersen: "Pure destruction. Unbelievable."
And then came the fan edits. Some had turned his shrugging celebration into superhero posters, others had edited his face onto Thanos snapping his fingers with Zampa and Cummins disappearing.
He kept scrolling, shaking his head, smirking at the madness.
One last tweet caught his attention.
@RandomCricketFan: "At this point, ICC should introduce a 'Boss Level' mode. Because Advay Rai is playing a different game from everyone else."
Advay chuckled, locked his phone, and sighed.
His innings had just ended a few hours ago, but the internet had already immortalized it.
The next day, December 5, 2020, Advay and KL Rahul were seated in a studio setup, facing a camera, with a lie detector machine placed between them. The challenge was for the official Indian cricket team's YouTube channel, and the mood was lighthearted, filled with playful banter.
The host grinned. "Alright, welcome everyone! Today, we have two of India's finest—Advay Rai and KL Rahul—taking the Lie Detector Challenge. Gentlemen, are you ready?"
KL Rahul smirked, glancing at Advay. "Bro, I feel like this machine is going to ruin friendships today."
Advay chuckled. "Nah, I think it'll just expose you, Rahul."
The first question was directed at KL Rahul. "Rahul, do you think you're the most stylish player in the Indian team?"
Rahul straightened his shirt and smirked. "Obviously, yes."
The machine buzzed—TRUE.
Advay shook his head, laughing. "Okay, that was too easy."
Next question for Advay. "Advay, do you get nervous before a big match?"
Advay grinned. "No, never."
The machine buzzed—TRUE.
KL Rahul shook his head in disbelief. "Bhai, how? At least lie once in your life!"
The host laughed. "Okay, let's make it fun. Rahul, have you ever used someone else's bat because yours wasn't working?"
KL Rahul grinned. "No."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
Advay burst out laughing. "Ohhh, exposed! Who's bat was it?"
Rahul covered his face. "Umm… maybe Virat bhai's once."
Advay grinned at the camera. "Virat bhai, if you're watching this, now you know."
The next question was for Advay. "Advay, have you ever Googled yourself?"
Advay leaned back, smirking. "Nope."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
KL Rahul immediately jumped up. "BUSTED! BHAI! You Google yourself?!"
Advay laughed, shaking his head. "I mean… sometimes you just have to check what people are saying."
The entire studio erupted in laughter, and the challenge continued with more playful roasting and hilarious reactions.
The host grinned as he looked at KL Rahul. "Rahul, have you ever lied to a coach to skip practice?"
KL Rahul smirked, shaking his head. "Never."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
Advay burst out laughing. "Bhai, you just dug your own grave!"
KL Rahul threw his hands up. "Okay, okay, maybe once! But it was just to catch up on sleep!"
The entire crew laughed as the host turned to Advay. "Advay, have you ever faked an injury to avoid a fitness drill?"
Advay smirked confidently. "Nope."
The machine buzzed—TRUE.
KL Rahul fell off his chair, clutching his stomach. "Oh my God! Mr. 'Never Nervous' has faked an injury before!"
Advay shrugged, laughing. "Hey, it was a Yo-Yo Test day, I had to do what I had to do!"
KL Rahul wiped away tears of laughter. "Bhai, we all knew you were built different, but this is another level!"
The host chuckled before moving on. "Rahul, do you think you can beat Advay in an arm-wrestling match?"
KL Rahul nodded confidently. "Yes."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
Advay leaned back, flexing his arm. "Bhai, even the machine knows you're lying."
KL Rahul shook his head, laughing. "Okay, fine, I'd lose. But I'd still try!"
The host smirked as he turned to Advay. "Do you ever read the Instagram comments on your posts?"
Advay smirked. "Nope."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
KL Rahul clapped his hands. "EXPOSED! You 100% check what people are saying!"
Advay laughed. "Arre, sometimes the memes are too good not to check!"
The entire studio erupted in laughter, and the challenge ended with both of them shaking hands, promising to get revenge in the next one.
The host looked at KL Rahul with a mischievous grin. "Rahul, have you ever taken credit for a shot you played when it was actually pure luck?"
KL Rahul scoffed. "No way, I always know what I'm doing."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
Advay burst out laughing. "Bhai, the machine just called you out in 4K!"
KL Rahul shook his head, laughing. "Fine, fine! Maybe once or twice. But it still looked good, so who cares?"
The host turned to Advay. "Advay, do you ever practice a celebration before a match?"
Advay smirked. "No."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
KL Rahul stood up, pointing at him. "I KNEW IT! That shrugging celebration isn't random!"
Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Okay, maybe I think about it sometimes. But only when I know I'll need it!"
The studio erupted in laughter as the host prepared for the final question. "Alright, last one for you, Advay. Do you like cricket more than Ananya?"
Advay smirked, crossing his arms. "Yes."
The machine buzzed—FALSE.
KL Rahul jumped up, screaming. "BUSTED! BUSTED!"
Advay's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the machine, then at Rahul, who was rolling on the floor laughing.
"Bhai, the machine just ended your career at home!"
The studio exploded with laughter, and even Advay had to shake his head, grinning. "Okay, okay, I'm not answering any more questions."
KL Rahul wiped his eyes, still laughing. "Bro, pray Ananya doesn't see this video."
Advay sighed dramatically. "She probably already knows."
With that, the challenge ended, leaving the entire crew in splits as the two walked off, Rahul still teasing him about his answer.
Starc came in steaming, his first delivery was full and fast at 148 km/h, angling in towards Advay's stumps. But Advay was already prepared—his bat came down in a flash, and with a mere flick of the wrists, the ball whistled past midwicket for four!
The crowd roared, Indian fans waving their flags, while Starc exchanged glances with Cummins at mid-off.
Harsha Bhogle (commentary): "Advay Rai is wasting no time! He picks up right where he left off!"
The next ball was a short one, aiming at the ribs. Advay read it early, swayed back, and hooked it ferociously over fine leg! The ball disappeared into the stands, sending the Indian section of the crowd into a frenzy!
Starc shook his head, walking back, muttering something under his breath.
Ricky Ponting: "You bowl short to Advay at your own risk. The man feasts on it!"
At the other end, Rohit Sharma was playing his usual elegant game, threading boundaries through gaps while rotating strike smoothly.
By the 4th over, India had already raced to 52/0.
Advay continued his onslaught, stepping down the track to Josh Hazlewood and smoking him over extra cover for six! The ball sailed deep into the crowd, and the camera panned to Australian fans shaking their heads.
Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, he's playing like he's in the backyard! That's just pure dominance!"
By the 6th over, India had surged to 77/0.
Advay: 45 off 19
Rohit: 28 off 17
Australia needed a breakthrough, and Finch threw the ball to Adam Zampa.
First ball—tossed up outside off.
Advay leaned forward and lifted it straight back over the bowler's head! The ball thumped into the sightscreen, and Zampa turned away in frustration.
The next ball, a quicker one—Advay stepped out again but this time went inside-out over covers for four.
The Australian fielders looked helpless as India kept piling on the runs.
By the 8th over, India was 103/0.
Advay was now on 71 off 28, closing in on yet another ridiculous milestone.
But then, against the run of play, Zampa got his revenge.
He bowled a flatter, quicker leg-break, and Advay, looking to smash it over long-on, misread the dip. The ball caught the inside half of the bat and went straight to Finch at deep midwicket!
The crowd gasped, momentarily stunned.
Harsha Bhogle: "Oh, would you believe it! The one time Advay mistimes a shot, and Australia finally has a wicket!"
As Zampa celebrated, Advay shook his head, disappointed, but gave a slight nod to Rohit before walking back.
The Sydney crowd stood up to applaud—even the Australian fans appreciated the sheer madness they had just witnessed.
Advay finished with 76 off 32 balls, a knock filled with breathtaking strokes and sheer power.
By the 10th over, India was 124/1, still completely in control, with Rohit and Kohli now at the crease, ready to continue the assault.
With Advay gone, the responsibility shifted to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India's most experienced T20 batters. The Australian bowlers took a deep breath, knowing that even after getting the big wicket, the nightmare was far from over.
Hazlewood charged in, trying to keep it tight, but Rohit was in his element.
First ball—back of a length on off-stump. Rohit leaned back and played his signature pull shot, sending the ball soaring into the stands at deep midwicket!
The crowd erupted, the Indian fans chanting "Rohit! Rohit!"
Harsha Bhogle (commentary): "That's classic Rohit Sharma! You just cannot bowl there to him!"
Virat, at the other end, was finding the gaps beautifully, piercing the field with effortless timing.
In the 12th over, he took on Starc, playing a magnificent lofted cover drive for four, the ball racing to the boundary.
By the 15th over, India had reached 176/2.
Rohit was now on 67 off 38, while Virat had moved to 42 off 24, the partnership flowing smoothly.
The Australians were desperate for another wicket, and Cummins finally provided one.
In the 16th over, Rohit tried to ramp a short ball over fine leg but mistimed it, sending an easy catch to the fielder at the boundary.
Rohit walked back for 74 off 42, receiving a standing ovation from the Indian fans.
With KL Rahul walking in next, the finishing push was on.
By the 18th over, India had crossed 200.
Virat, now in full flow, brought up his fifty with a flicked six off Starc, raising his bat to the crowd.
KL Rahul, showing his range, smashed Zampa for a massive six over long-on, then followed it up with a cheeky ramp shot for four.
In the final over, India was at 236/3, looking to finish strong.
Cummins ran in for the last six balls.
First ball—a slower delivery, Kohli read it early and lofted it straight down the ground for six!
The next two balls, well-bowled yorkers, restricted the scoring.
Final delivery—Rahul, ready for the big finish, got under the ball and smoked it into the stands at deep square leg!
The Indian dugout stood up, clapping and cheering, knowing they had put up another massive total.
India finished at 252/3 in 20 overs.
Virat remained unbeaten on 68 off 36, while KL Rahul finished with 32 off 15*.
The Sydney crowd buzzed with excitement, knowing that Australia now had a mountain to climb.
The Australian openers, Aaron Finch and David Warner, walked out to chase a mammoth 252, the tension in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) thick with anticipation. The Indian fans were loud, waving their flags, while the Australian supporters sat with nervous excitement, hoping for a miracle.
Bumrah took the new ball, steaming in with his usual intensity. First delivery—a pinpoint yorker at 146 km/h, crashing into Finch's toe. The appeal was deafening, and the umpire's finger went up!
LBW! Finch was gone for a golden duck!
The Indian players rushed to Bumrah, high-fiving as the crowd erupted. The Australians were already under pressure.
Harsha Bhogle (commentary): "That's the dream start for India! Finch is gone first ball, and this chase just became a lot harder!"
Warner, now feeling the heat, tried to counter-attack. In the 3rd over, he stepped down and lofted Shardul Thakur inside-out over extra cover for six, the Australian fans roaring in approval.
But in the 5th over, Shardul got his revenge.
He bowled a deceptive slower ball, Warner went for another big shot but mistimed it, sending an easy catch to KL Rahul at deep midwicket!
Warner OUT for 24 off 14!
By the 6th over, Australia was 61/2, already struggling under the pressure of the massive total.
With Smith and Labuschagne at the crease, they tried to rebuild, rotating strike and taking calculated risks.
Advay was brought into the attack in the 9th over, the crowd buzzing as he marked his run-up.
First ball—a full, flighted off-break. Smith, expecting spin, tried to flick it across the line, but the ball skidded on and hit him right in front!
The Indians went up in a loud appeal—GIVEN!
Smith, frustrated, reviewed it, but ball-tracking showed three reds!
Smith OUT for 31 off 20!
Ricky Ponting (commentary): "That was beautifully bowled! Advay Rai has done it again—he's always in the game!"
By the 10th over, Australia was 102/3, needing a miracle to stay alive.
Labuschagne and Maxwell tried to up the ante, smashing Chahal for a six each in the 12th over.
But in the 14th over, Advay struck again!
A quick off-cutter, drifting in at middle and leg, Maxwell tried to go big but only managed a thick edge to Pant behind the stumps!
Advay pumped his fist as Maxwell walked off for 27 off 17!
By the 15th over, Australia was 162/5, needing 91 runs off 30 balls.
The Indian bowlers tightened their grip, with Bumrah and Chahal bowling pinpoint yorkers and well-disguised slower balls.
In the 18th over, Chahal dismissed Labuschagne, who holed out to long-off trying to clear the boundary!
By the final over, Australia was 216/7, needing an impossible 37 off 6 balls.
Bumrah sealed the deal with another perfect yorker, sending the middle stump flying!
INDIA WON BY 36 RUNS!
The Indian players ran toward each other, celebrating another dominant performance. Advay, who had bowled economically and picked up two crucial wickets, was greeted with pats on the back as they walked off the field.
The SCG crowd gave a standing ovation, knowing they had just witnessed another masterclass from Team India.