The GOAT of Cricket

*Sydney Cricket Ground | January 12, 2017 | Day 1 – 4th Test*

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**Scene: The Harbour Waits**

Sydney rose in lavender light. The Sydney Cricket Ground—an amphitheatre of myth and memory—was packed to its wooden rafters. Green seats swallowed by flags. Scarves. Shirts. Hope.

This was it. The final act of a drama that had travelled through twilight in Adelaide, heat in Melbourne, thunder in Brisbane.

The scoreboard flashed:

> *Australia vs India, 4th Test – Series: India 2-1*

And the subtext that buzzed louder than any statistic:

> *Ishaan Verma vs Pat Cummins – Act IV.*

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**Toss: Australia Win – India to Bat**

A thousand camera shutters snapped as Steve Smith called correctly.

"We bowl first."

The pitch was a mosaic of cracks and grass. A surface to tempt and torment.

**Simon Doull (Commentary):**

> "This is a Sydney track with a twist. Early juice. And don't forget: pressure—it swings more than the ball ever will."

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**Opening Hour – Early Punches**

Starc struck first—Murali Vijay, bowled through the gate. Then Hazlewood removed Rahul with a classic corridor delivery.

India: **27/2**

The crowd began to rise. Not in celebration. But in provocation.

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### **Scene: The Arrival of Verma**

**Over 11.1 – Cummins to Kohli: Dot ball**

The camera panned.

A familiar figure in blue and white strode out. Shoulders squared. Eyes locked.

**Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):**

> "Here comes the man who's defined this series in poise, punch, and pain. And listen to this crowd..."

**Crowd Chants:**

> "Ishaan's scared! Ishaan's scared!"

> "Go home, rookie!"

He walked to the crease without a word. He marked center. Tapped the bat once. Looked up.

**Inner Monologue:**

> *You came to watch a collapse. I came to build something.*

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### **Over 13.1 – Cummins to Verma**

First ball.

Short. Fast. 147 kph.

Ishaan swayed.

**13.2**

Full and wide. Driven, but mistimed. No run.

**13.3**

Another bouncer. Ishaan ducks.

**Stump Mic (Cummins):**

> "You think you're a star now? Let's see you glow under Sydney lights."

**13.4**

Back of a length. Ishaan defends.

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**Over 15.1 – Cummins to Verma**

Beamers. Twice.

First one: 145kph, waist-high. Ishaan yanks his body away.

Umpire raises a hand. Warns Cummins.

Second ball: another beamer. Higher.

**Crowd: Gasps. Then silence. Then chaos.**

**Umpire walks straight to Cummins. Warns him again.**

**Stump Mic (Umpire):**

> "One more, and you're out of the attack. You understand?"

**Kohli walks over. Places a hand on Ishaan's shoulder.**

**Kohli (quietly):** "You're in his head. Stay there."

**Commentary (Simon Doull):**

> "That is uncharacteristic from Pat Cummins. Or maybe, very characteristic—of what Ishaan Verma has become to this Australian side."

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**Over 17.4 – Hazlewood to Verma**

Good length, nips away. Ishaan edges—past gully. **FOUR.**

**18.2 – Cummins returns**

Now bowling legally. Fires in a yorker. Dug out.

**18.4**

Back of a length. Ishaan gets behind. Pushes for two.

**Stump Mic (Crowd):**

> "He's not that good!"

**Next Ball:**

Cummins runs in. Fires in another short one.

Ishaan hooks. Glove. Past short fine. **FOUR.**

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### **Drinks: India 61/2**

Kohli: 23\*

Ishaan: 19\*

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**Over 22.3 – Lyon to Verma**

Flighted. Ishaan steps out, lifts over mid-off. **FOUR.**

**Commentary (Harsha):**

> "Beautiful footwork. The response to hostility isn't anger. It's timing."

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**Over 28.6 – Cummins to Verma**

Short again. Pulled behind square. **FOUR!**

**Crowd: Booing softens. A few clap.**

**Over 31.1 – Starc to Kohli**

Bowled! Massive inswinger.

India: **103/3**

Kohli out for 47.

Ishaan walks to his captain. Kohli just smiles.

**Kohli:** "It's your stage now."

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**Stumps: India 189/3**

Ishaan: 73\*

Rahane: 24\*

He walks off to a different sound.

Not boos.

Not cheers.

A hush.

**Inner Monologue:**

> *They wanted to rattle me. Instead, they remembered me.*