The GOAT of Cricket

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Fire and the Fast Bowler



Adelaide Oval, Adelaide — December 18, 2016 | Day 4 – Second Innings

Scene: Dressing Room, Morning Light

The sky over Adelaide had turned a bruised steel. Low clouds hovered like a brewing storm. Inside the Indian dressing room, silence hummed—nobody said it aloud, but they all knew. Day 4 was not just another day.

It was the day when debut centuries faded, and winning Test matches took their place.

Ishaan sat by the window, watching the light drizzle clear. He still hadn't touched breakfast. The echoes of his 102* on debut felt distant now. The pitch had aged, and the pink ball had turned fickle. He tightened the straps on his gloves with quiet purpose.

Inner Monologue

Yesterday, I bled runs into the sky.

Today, I must draw fire from the earth.

Scene: Adelaide Oval – India's Second innings was about to begin. Australia - 325 (all out) .On a fourth-day pitch, with the pink ball zipping, it was venom.

Score: India 12/1

Murali Vijay: bowled by Starc again—an inswinging bullet that exploded middle stump.

Score: India 28/2

Cheteshwar Pujara: lbw to Hazlewood. Caught on the crease. Umpire's finger flew up.

Over 14.1 — Cummins to Verma (Entrance)

Ishaan walked in at 28/2. The Adelaide crowd stirred—half in anticipation, half in challenge. The boy who'd scored a hundred was now walking into a war.

Cummins stood at the top of his mark, ball in hand, jaw clenched.

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"You and I've got unfinished business, kid."

Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):

"This is the moment. Pat Cummins versus Ishaan Verma, Round Two. One's the future of Indian cricket. The other—Australia's modern gladiator."

The Duel Begins

Over 14.1 — Cummins to Verma

Length ball on middle, seams in late. Ishaan presses forward. Dead bat.

No run.

Over 14.2

Short of a length, rising. Ishaan sways away—not by instinct, but by calculation.

Over 14.3

Fuller, outside off. Ishaan shoulders arms.

Over 14.4

Short—again. This one kicks. Ishaan ducks—but the ball grazes the back flap of his helmet.

THWACK.

Crowd: "OHHHHHH!"

He takes a breath. The umpire walks up.

Ishaan: "I'm good."

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"Your lid sings louder than your bat."

Over 14.5

Full on leg stump. Flicked neatly for one.

First run. First scar.

Score: India 34/2

Virat at the other end. He's calm, in control. But the bounce is unpredictable. Lyon starts landing outside off on footmarks, getting bounce and spin. Pressure thickens.

Over 19 – Cummins' Trap Tightens

19.1 — Cummins to Verma

Short. Ishaan sways.

19.2

Full. Ishaan flicks—off the toe. Falls short of midwicket.

19.3

Back of a length. Ishaan defends with soft hands.

19.4

Short—again. Ishaan pulls instinctively—

Top edge!

The ball balloons over square leg. Labuschagne sprints backward—dives—

Saves four but not the catch. Two runs.

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"Hooking now, are ya? Don't worry. I'll send you the real one next."

Score: India 45/2 → 67/3

Virat edges Hazlewood to second slip—Smith grabs it cold.

Commentary (Simon Doull):

"Big moment. India's talisman is gone. Now it's the debutant and the chaos."

Scene: 4th Ball of Over 24 – Cummins to Verma

Pat roars in—body language electric.

24.4 — Cummins to Verma

Short. A venomous bouncer. Ishaan tries to duck—but too late.

The ball kisses the grille and drops dead at his feet.

The crowd gasps.

He doesn't flinch. Straightens. Stares back.

Inner Monologue:

"He wants to win this battle with fear. Not today."

Umpires call for a helmet check.

Dhoni, from the balcony, watches with folded arms. No words. Just a blink.

Over 25 – Lyon to Pant

Rishabh Pant's counterattack begins. Slaps one over cover. Dances down, swings again. India edges past 90.

Over 27 – The Final Blow

Score: India 96/3

27.2 — Cummins to Verma

Short. Again.

But this time, it's deliberate. The length is slightly fuller. Ishaan goes for the pull—he's early.

Thick top edge.

It hangs. Long leg comes sprinting in—

TAKEN.

Adelaide erupts.

Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):

"Oh no… it's the same shot that brought him glory last innings… and now, his downfall. Cummins set him up. Patience won."

Ishaan Verma: 21 (49)

India 96/4

He walks off, bat under arm. No glance at Cummins. Just the scoreboard.

Scene: Adelaide Crowd Roars

Flags wave. Fans shout. The arena is electric.

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"Told you, debutant. You hook me again—you fall."

India's Collapse Continues

Hazlewood cleans up Pant for a breezy 22.

Lyon removes Ashwin with a peach.

Jadeja tries to sweep and misses—plumb lbw.

Tail folds.

India All Out: 174

Australia managed to chase 153 despite losing some wickets in between.

Australia Win the 1st Test by 5 wickets.

Player of the Match: Pat Cummins (8 wickets)

Scene: Press Conference, Later That Evening

Reporter: "Pat, Ishaan got you for a six in the first innings. You got him in the second. Is this the beginning of a rivalry?"

Cummins: (grinning) "Let's just say—I enjoy bowling to him. And I'm sure he's not done yet."

Scene: Indian Hotel, Late Night

Ishaan stood alone on the balcony. Shirtless, still in tracks. His bat rested against the railing.

On his phone: a paused clip of his dismissal. Again. And again. And again.

Inner Monologue:

"He gave me the short ball. And I fell for it."

"He thinks I'm a boy swinging blindly."

"Next time, Pat…"

He picks up his bat, mimics the hook shot into the void.

"…you bowl short again—I'll hook it into the stands."


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