The GOAT of Cricket

Melbourne Cricket Ground | December 27–29, 2016 | Boxing Day Test, Day 2–4

Scene: MCG – Day 2 Morning

The Melbourne sun filtered through a thin mist, casting golden stripes across the outfield. A crowd of 72,000 had returned for Day 2, eager for the coronation of a new hero—or the collapse of a rising star.

In the Indian dressing room, Ishaan sat at his corner, glancing once at the giant whiteboard.

"Ishaan Verma – 89 (174)"*

"India – 247/2"

The numbers glowed like prophecy.

He closed his eyes.

Inner Monologue:

"One mistake… one lapse… and the world forgets 89."

"But 100? That echoes."

Scene: Over 65 – First Hour, Day 2

Hazlewood starts. The ball is just beginning to reverse. Kohli gives strike to Ishaan early.

65.3 – Hazlewood to Verma

Good length. Ishaan defends. Calm.

65.5 – Hazlewood to Verma

Short of a length, jagging in. Ishaan sways, leaves late.

66.1 – Starc to Verma

Full, swinging in. Flicked. No run.

66.4 – Starc to Verma

Short! Ishaan stands tall—pulls! Along the ground. Four.

MCG Crowd:

The Indian flags go up. The cheer is growing, murmuring, swelling.

Over 67.2 – Lyon to Verma

Flighted. Ishaan dances down—drives over mid-off.

FOUR.

Ishaan Verma: 99 (193 balls)*

Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):

"He's one away… from a story that started under lights at Adelaide… and now seeks its echo under the Melbourne sky."

67.3 – Lyon to Verma

Floated again. Ishaan waits. Steps down.

Drives. Past cover. Races across the turf.

FOUR!

HE'S DONE IT.

Ishaan Verma raises both arms. Helmet off. Eyes skyward.

The MCG rises in applause—ALL of it. Even the Australian fans.

Commentary (Simon Doull):

"It's not just a hundred. It's the follow-up. He's no one-Test wonder. This—this is real."

Score: India 264/2

Ishaan Verma: 103 (194)*

Stump Mic (Cummins):

"So what? Still 50 behind me."

Ishaan: (grinning)

"Not for long."

The Shift in Momentum – The Crowd Turns

Over 70.5 – Cummins to Verma

Short. Ishaan rocks back.

HOOKS.

High. Towering. Over square leg. SIX.

The ball lands in the second tier. The MCG erupts.

Commentary (Bhogle):

"Oh my word! That's not just aggression—it's statement. That's revenge!"

Crowd Chant (Indian fans):

"CUUUUMMMINS… HOOKED AGAIN!"

The Aussie fans begin booing—not India, but their own star.

Lunch: India 312/2

Kohli: 128*

Ishaan Verma: 121* (229)

They walk off to standing ovations. Ishaan fist bumps Kohli.

Inside the dressing room:

Dhoni: "You've got them rattled."

Ishaan: "I've got them silent."

Post-Lunch Session: Cummins Loses His Cool

Over 77.4 – Cummins to Verma

Yorker attempt. Ishaan digs it out—drives straight back. Four.

Over 78.1 – Cummins to Verma

Short again. Ishaan pulls. Another four.

Stump Mic:

"Keep bouncing me. I'll keep scoring," Ishaan says coldly.

Crowd: "VER-MA! VER-MA! VER-MA!"

Over 80.2 – Hazlewood to Verma

Wide of off. Ishaan tries to guide to third man—edges.

CAUGHT!

Carey dives. GONE.

MCG: Shock. Then thunderous applause.

Ishaan Verma: 131 (267)

16 fours, 2 sixes

He walks off to a rising ovation. Even Cummins nods, slowly.

Commentary (Doull):

"He has roared at the lion. And walked away with its crown."

India Declares – 511/6 (Kohli 182)*

Lead of +250. Crowd buzzing.

Scene: Australia's Innings

Opening Pair: Warner & Renshaw

Shami strikes early. Renshaw edges. Gone.

Warner remains—but frustrated.

Scene: Ishaan at Short Leg – Day 3

Over 19.3 – Ashwin to Warner

Flighted. Warner sweeps. Hits Ishaan on the thigh pad.

Warner (grinning): "Standing close for the selfie, mate?"

Ishaan (without flinching): "Nah. Just here to hear the sound when you edge it."

Crowd near short leg laughs.

Over 24.2 – Ashwin to Warner

Sharp turn! Hits pad. Loud appeal. Not out.

Ishaan: "Davy, don't worry. You'll get your autograph before Tea."

Wade Enters – Sparks Fly

Over 33.5 – Jadeja to Wade

Dot ball.

Wade (stump mic):

"You've had a good run, rookie. Won't last in Sydney."

Ishaan (grinning):

"That's what they said after Adelaide."

Over 36.1 – Jadeja to Wade

Flighted. Wade sweeps—top edge!

Ishaan at short leg dives—TAKES IT!

Crowd erupts.

Commentary (Harsha):

"Poetic. He hooks Cummins. He hooks Wade. From debutant to enforcer."

Australia All Out – 208

India win by an innings and 43 runs.

Post-Match Ceremony

Player of the Match: Ishaan Verma – 131 & 2 catches at short leg

Cummins (interview):

"He played well. The hook shot? That stung. But hey—it's good for the game."

Virat Kohli:

"What we saw was not just talent—but temperament. And Test cricket is all about temperament."

Scene: Ishaan Alone – MCG, Empty

After the formalities, Ishaan walked down the steps. The crowd gone. The stadium quiet.

He sat near the boundary rope, fingers brushing the turf.

Inner Monologue:

"This isn't just a hundred.

This was a reply.

To every bounce. Every stare. Every doubt."

"I'll see you again, Pat. And next time—it won't just be the crowd that roars. It'll be me."

He smiled. Looked up at the empty stands. And walked back inside—no longer the boy who survived the pink ball in Adelaide.

He was now the man who conquered Melbourne.