The GOAT of Cricket

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide — December 16, 2016 | Day 2

The dawn of Day 2 arrived with a crisp breeze that carried more promise than chill. Adelaide's morning light seeped through the pavilion windows, painting the dressing room walls in gold. For Ishaan Verma, sleep had been an uneasy companion—dreams mingled with memories of pink‑ball combat and the heavy pulse of Pat Cummins' aggression. Now, steeling himself for the duel ahead, he tightened his pads and glanced at his bat, which bore the faint imprint of last night's flick for four.

Inner Monologue:

Yesterday, I survived. Today, I conquer.

Morning Session: The First Battle

11:00 AM local — the floodlights switched off, daylight affirming every crease crack and grass blade dew. India resumed on 105/3, Cummins and Hazlewood ready to resume their hunt.

Over 53.1 – Hazlewood to Verma

A good-length delivery, pitching just outside off. Ishaan's front-foot stride was textbook—only the toe of his bat met the ball. Defensive, controlled.

No run.

Over 53.2 – Hazlewood to Verma

A hint of away swing. Ishaan left it alone, bail flickering.

No run.

Over 53.3 – Hazlewood to Verma

Shortish, just above waist. Ishaan rocked back, pulled firmly behind square leg.

FOUR!

Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):

"That's the first sign of fluency. Ishaan isn't just blocking; he's finding his rhythm."

Crowd Reaction:

A smattering of applause—an acknowledgment that the debutant had arrived.

Over 54 – Cummins Returns

Pat Cummins, with shoulders erect and breathing measured, took the new ball. His approach was silent menace, eyes locked on the seam position.

54.1 – Cummins to Verma

Full and angled in. Ishaan danced down—but the ball jagged back, grazing bat then pad.

Snick! Replays might have shown a tickle, but the umpire shook his head.

No run.

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"First slip's waiting, kid."

Ishaan's jaw tightened. He knew what that meant: Cummins was making a statement.

Over 55 – The Verbal Exchange

55.2 – Cummins to Verma

Short, fast. Ishaan ducked—helmet clanged. He looked at Cummins.

Crowd murmur: "Oooooh!"

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"Bloody helmet's in the way. You wanna leave it?"

Inner Monologue:

He wants me rattled. Not today.

Over 55.4 – Cummins to Verma

Good length on off stump. Ishaan forward‑defended firmly.

No run.

Over 55.5 – Cummins to Verma

Another wicked short ball. Ishaan's shoulders tensed—he hooked, top‑edges—but the ball flew just over midwicket.

SIX!

Commentary (Simon Doull):

"That is audacious from a debutant. Cummins bowls bouncers; Verma pounds them for six!"

Crowd Reaction:

A roar—part shock, part admiration—even Aussie fans cheered.

Ishaan Finds His Feet

Over the next ten overs, Ishaan navigated a mix of pace and spin. Hazlewood's cutters, Lyon's flighted offerings, and Santner's drift—he played each with growing confidence.

Over 60 – Lyon to Verma

Flighted, outside off. Ishaan stepped out—lofted elegantly over mid‑off.

FOUR!

Over 62 – Hazlewood to Verma

Back of a length, seamed away. Ishaan waited—clipped through square leg.

FOUR!

Commentary (Harsha):

"He's not afraid of spin or seam. That's extraordinary for a first‑innings knock."

By Lunch, India were 185/3. Ishaan had moved from 36* to 78 off 129 balls*, with 12 boundaries and a six. The dressing room buzzed.

Lunch Interval: Calm Before the Crucible

Inside the tent, Dhoni sat beside Ishaan.

Dhoni: "You've got to keep your trigger finger off the drive if it's swinging. But when it's there, you drive with purpose."

Ishaan nodded, sipping soup.

Ishaan (quietly): "That six… Cummins won't forget that."

Dhoni smiled: "Nor will he let you forget."

Afternoon Session:

Over 68 – Hazlewood to Verma

Good length, seam in. Ishaan nudged for one. Then stood firm to the next four—textbook defense.

Over 70 – Cummins Strikes Back

70.3 – Cummins to Verma

An angled in swinger—thud—shins. Ishaan's eyes rolled skyward. Pain shot through his ankle. He shook it off.

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"Can't handle a bit of leather, bro?"

Inner Monologue:

Leather hurts. But giving in hurts more.

He tapped the crease. Next ball: angled wide—cut for two.

Over 71 – Easing into the Fifties

India: 197/3

Ishaan: 81(167)*

Commentary (Simon Doull):

"He's pacing himself perfectly. You hardly notice he's on debut."

By Tea, Ishaan reached 81 off 167 balls. The pink ball gleamed, his bat grip damp.

Tea Interval: Mindset and Messages

As the players refueled, Ishaan pulled out a small, folded letter from his pocket—his father's final words:

"Bravery isn't the roar. It's the silence between the roars."

He read it twice, closed his eyes, then tucked it back.

Final Session: Conquering Under Lights

The floodlights clicked on again. The Oval transformed into a glowing amphitheater. Ishaan adjusted his helmet, gloves, and shoulders.

Over 80 – Lyon's Spin

Lyon drifted one in; Ishaan swayed late—inside-out drive—splashed for four.

Over 84 – Hazlewood's Fatigued Fury

84.2 – Hazlewood to Verma

Short, fuller than expected. Ishaan rocked back—heaved over deep midwicket.

SIX!

Stump Mic (Dhoni):

"Use your feet, Ishaan. They can't stop everything."

The Century Stand

Ishaan found a partner in Virat Kohli — an old-school bastion for the young debutant.

Over 88 – Verma to Kohli (Mismatched Strike)

A couple of singles. They talked between balls:

Kohli: "See that spot outside off? Hit it when it's there."

Verma: "Roger that."

Over 92 – Lyon to Verma

Flighted on off stump. Forward defence.

Next ball: flight, drift—cushioned sweep—two runs.

India: 265/3

Ishaan: 95(193)*

Commentary (Harsha):

"He's two away from history. Five runs away from a debut hundred!"

Over 93 – Hazlewood to Verma

The bowler's last over; the pitch's last bit of shine.

93.4 – Hazlewood to Verma

Good length, angled in. Ishaan rocked back, timed a straight drive—four!

India: 269/3

Ishaan: 99(196)*

Crowd Reaction:

A hush, then thunderous applause. Even sections of the Australian crowd rose.

Over 94 – Lyon to Verma (The Moment)

94.1 – Lyon to Verma

The famous left‑arm spinner drifted again. Ishaan watched, advanced, met the ball on the full—lofted over extra cover.

SIX!

Audio Cue:

A roar so loud, the pink ball's seam seemed to hum.

Stump Mic (Kohli):

"That's it, champ! That's it!"

Commentary (Simon Doull):

"What a moment! A debut century under lights at Adelaide!"

End of Innings

At 95.4 overs, with India 277/3, Ishaan Verma walked off, bat raised, helmet off, eyes glistening.

India 303/3 (declared on 96.2 overs)

Ishaan Verma: 102 (206)*

His maiden Test century: 16 fours, 2 sixes.

Australia began their first innings, and by stumps, they had responded with 325/4, taking a slender lead of 22 runs.

Stumps: Calm and Command

As the covers went on and the floodlights dimmed, Ishaan stood at the balcony outside the changing rooms. The pink ball rested on a small ledge beside him—still pink, still perfect.

He gazed at the scoreboard:

Ishaan Verma — 102*

India — 303/3 (dec)

Australia — 325/4

A slight lead. A monumental moment.

Inner Monologue:

They called me young. They called me green.

But under these lights, I'm home.

And the fire... has only just begun.

He touched his Test cap, now glowing faintly under the overhead lamp, and turned.

Tomorrow would bring fresh battles, and Cummins would come again. But for tonight, a star had risen—calm, focused, and unafraid of the dark.