The GOAT of Cricket

Hey everyone I'm sorry for the late chapter today. My college started from today onwards so I spent most of my time in the classes and didn't have the time to upload the chapter in the college.

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*Melbourne to Sydney | December 29–31, 2016 | Between the Tests*

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**Scene: Post-Match, MCG - Media Swirl Begins**

The sound of victory still hung in the air like incense. Melbourne, December 29th. India had just crushed Australia by an innings and 43 runs. Ishaan Verma had roared with his bat, carved 131 under the high vaults of the MCG, and taken catches close enough to hear David Warner breathe.

And yet, as Ishaan came down the dressing room steps to join the traditional handshake line, one hand stayed stubbornly at the side.

**Pat Cummins.**

He nodded. Briefly. Coldly. Then turned.

**Commentary (Simon Doull, later on air):**

> "That's... that's unusual from Pat. Not like him. Something's brewing here."

**Media Clippings (Next Day):**

* *The Age*: "Cummins Snubs Verma – Fire Still Burns Between Australia's Enforcer and India's Prodigy"

* *The Hindu*: "More Than a Series – It's Verma vs Cummins Now"

* *Fox Cricket*: "Rivalry of a Generation? Cummins, Verma and the Battle for Dominance"

**TV Debate Show Excerpt:**

> "He hooked Cummins twice in two Tests, made two match-defining hundreds, and made the crowd chant his name. Pat's ego's been dented. No handshake? That wasn't just frustration—it was declaration."

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**Scene: Indian Team Hotel, Melbourne – Evening**

Inside the hotel lobby, the buzz hadn't died. The Indian team had just returned from a light celebration dinner. But Ishaan couldn't escape the eyes.

Phones clicked. Journalists lingered like vultures with microphones.

**Journalist 1:** "Ishaan, did Cummins refuse to shake your hand?"

**Journalist 2:** "Is this personal now?"

**Journalist 3:** "Was the hook shot at the MCG revenge for Adelaide?"

Ishaan didn't stop walking. Aviators on. Shoulders straight.

**Inner Monologue:**

> "Say nothing. Let the bat finish the sentence."

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**Scene: Team Meeting Room – Later That Night**

The Indian team was scattered across bean bags, water bottles and tablets open. Kohli stood near the window, looking out into the Melbourne lights. Dhoni sat quietly, sipping from a steel tumbler.

Kohli turned, looked straight at Ishaan.

**Kohli:** "He didn't shake your hand. Everyone saw."

**Ishaan (quietly):** "I didn't need it."

**Kohli walked forward, eyes fierce but calm.**

**Kohli:** "Good. But now listen carefully. This is where many lose their way. They get drawn into fights. They try to win with fire, anger, gestures. But here…"

*Kohli tapped his temple.*

**Kohli:** "The best way to hurt them is to smile... and score."

**Ishaan looked up, grin creeping in.**

**Ishaan:** "I'll do both."

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**Scene: Sydney Airport – December 30th**

The team boarded their flight for the final Test in Sydney. Ishaan pulled out a magazine from the seat pocket.

Front Page: A mock boxing poster with gloves on both sides. One said "Verma". The other, "Cummins".

**Headline:** *"Boxing Day Was Just Round One... Sydney Awaits Round Two."*

**Stump Mic Audio from Melbourne (now viral):**

* Cummins: "Still remember Adelaide, rookie?"

* Ishaan: "You came hunting blood. I brought fire."

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**Scene: Practice Nets, SCG – December 31st**

Australia trained first. Cummins bowled at full tilt, peppering their young reserve batters with short stuff. His eyes burned. His lines bit.

Inside the Indian nets, Ishaan shadow-practised the hook shot again and again. Jadeja bowled to him, then Ishant Sharma offered bouncers off a short run. Each one was swayed, judged, or dispatched behind square.

Kohli watched from the corner, arms folded.

**Kohli (to Dhoni):** "He's not just practicing the shot. He's practicing control."

**Dhoni:** "He knows the world's watching now. That hook shot isn't just a stroke anymore. It's war paint."

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**Scene: Ishaan's Hotel Room, Night Before Test**

Phone buzzed.

**Message from Emma Watson:**

> *"Saw the highlights again. That hook off Cummins... you've got steel in your spine. Good luck in Sydney :)"*

Ishaan smiled. He looked at his Test cap on the table, sitting beside a photo of his father.

He whispered:

> "This one's for the scoreboard. And for silence."

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**Scene: Newspaper Headlines, January 1st – Day 1 SCG Test**

* *Sydney Morning Herald*: "Verma vs Cummins: The Final Round?"

* *The Times of India*: "Can Ishaan go 3-for-3? Sydney holds its breath"

* *Cricket Monthly*: "More than Cricket: The Rise of a Rivalry that Defines an Era"

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