Sunday Showdown

The Jubilee Ground felt alive — a battlefield made of cracked concrete, uneven patches of grass, and boundary lines drawn by imagination. This wasn't just a match. It was Sunday Gully Premiere — a tournament where reputations were built over chai stalls, and legends were debated in barber shops.

Arjun stood near the pitch, tying his shoelaces tight. From the corner of his eye, he saw her — Rhea Kapoor — notebook in hand, sunglasses perched on her nose, standing just outside the boundary.

His heart skipped. Great. Now he had two opponents — the other team and his own heartbeat.

Sania System — Trolling Activated

🟢 System Notification: Reporter Crush Spotted.

🟢 Warning: Sudden Spike in Swag Attempt Detected.

Sania: "Kya baat hai, Arjun beta. Aaj toh cricket ke saath romance bhi opening pair mein hai."

(What's this, Arjun? Looks like romance is opening the innings alongside cricket today.)

Arjun shook his head, stretched his arms, and tried to focus. But the more he avoided looking at Rhea, the more his eyes wandered back to her.

Sania: "Match pe dhyaan de ya uski muskaan pe? Final decision pending."

(Focus on the match, or her smile? Decision pending.)

Toss and Trust Issues

Bunty Bhai lost the toss — again. They were put in to bowl first. Arjun grabbed the ball for the opening over.

"Pehla over tera, Mishra," (The first over is yours Mishra) Bunty clapped his back.

Across the pitch stood Arif Bhai, old neighborhood rival, cracking his knuckles like a Bollywood villain.

"Aaj toh phod denge tujhe," Arif smirked.

(We'll smash you today.)

Arjun grinned back. "Line mein lag jaa, bhai. Phodne waale bahut aaye hain."

(Get in line, brother. Many have tried to smash me before.)

The Ball That Flirted First

First delivery — short and wide. Arif swung and missed. The ball skidded all the way to the boundary, stopping at Rhea's feet.

Arjun walked over. "Sorry, reporter sahiba. Mere deliveries kabhi kabhi dil tak pahuch jaati hain."

(Sorry, Miss Reporter. Sometimes my deliveries go straight to the heart.)

Rhea picked up the ball, tapping it playfully. "Bas delivery hi? Ya line aur length bhi?"

(Just deliveries? Or your flirting line and length too?)

Arjun opened his mouth — and forgot how to speak.

Sania: "Emergency Alert: Arjun Mishra Clean Bowled By Flirt Bouncer."

Sania: "Beta, cricket ka hero hai, romance ka tailender lag raha hai."

(Kid, you're a hero at cricket but a complete tailender at flirting.)

Bowler, Fielder, Captain – All In One

Arjun shook off the banter and got serious.

Next ball — perfect yorker. Middle stump uprooted. Arif Bhai stood frozen.

Rhea clapped softly. Arjun winked.

"Likh lo, 'Gully ka Bumrah'."

(Go ahead, write — 'The Bumrah of the Gully'.)

Rhea smirked. "Only if you show me your batting too."

All-Rounder Arjun Show

Arjun wasn't just a bowler. His field placements saved at least 10 runs. His underarm rocket throws had the opposition panicking. And when Bunty trusted him with the final over, Arjun closed the innings with a direct hit run-out.

4 Overs. 2 Wickets. 8 Runs. 1 Run-Out.

The complete package — served street style.

The Chase Begins — With Extra Spice

Chasing 64 in 10 overs — child's play for Arjun. Except today, Rhea was watching. And that made every ball feel heavier.

First ball — lazy single.

Second ball — a wild wide that rolled to Rhea's feet again.

"Lucky ball, rakh lo."

(Keep the lucky ball.)

Rhea threw it back. "Talent pe bharosa nahi hai?"

(Don't trust your talent?)

Arjun grinned. "Talent se match jeet-te hain. Luck se dil."

(Talent wins matches. Luck wins hearts.)

Powerplay Fireworks

After a few quiet balls, Arjun opened up:

A flick to square leg — boundary.A pull over midwicket — into the chai stall.A no-look scoop over the keeper — pure swagger.

Every time he looked at Rhea after a boundary, her notebook dropped a little lower — and her smile got a little wider.

Sania's Running Commentary

Sania: "Yeh toh match ke saath pataka bhi phod raha hai."

(He's not just hitting boundaries, he's trying to blow her mind too.)

Sania: "Score Update — Arjun 24*, Rhea ke dil mein entry progress 33% complete."

(Score Update — Arjun 24, entry into Rhea's heart 33% complete.*)

Final Over Drama

8 needed off 6. Arjun on strike.

First ball — dot.

Second ball — edged for a single.

Third ball — wild swing and a miss.

Rhea cupped her hands. "Nervous, Arjun?"

He smiled. "Tumhari wajah se."

(Because of you.)

Fourth ball — six over long on. No celebration — just a glance at Rhea.

She blushed. Just a little.

Sania: "Romantic Maximum! Commentary box bhi laal ho gaya."

(Romantic Maximum! Even the commentary box is blushing.)

The Winning Run

Last ball. 2 runs needed. Arjun nudged it softly to third man and sprinted like his life depended on it — diving into the crease just in time.

Match won.

The crowd roared. Kids lifted Arjun on their shoulders. But his eyes searched only for her.

Rhea stood, clapping slow, notebook forgotten.

Walk Back Home

As they walked through the gully, kids giggled behind them.

"Bhaiya ki girlfriend hai kya?" one whispered.

(Is she bhaiya's girlfriend?)

Arjun grinned. "Abhi nahi. Par umeed hai."

(Not yet. But there's hope.)

Rhea glanced sideways. "You play like your life depends on it. Why?"

Arjun looked at the fading sky. "Kabhi life sach mein cricket pe depend karti thi."

(There was a time when my life really did depend on cricket.)

Rhea's smile softened. "I want to hear that story."

"Pehle kulfi khilao."

(Buy me a kulfi first.)

"Deal."

Sania: "Match won. Dil ka toss abhi baaki hai."

(Match won. But the toss for the heart is still left.)