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January 28, 2022. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.Pathak Group Headquarters. 45th Floor.
The transition from the dusty tracks of Cape Town to the polished granite floors of Mumbai's financial district was jarring. A few days ago, my hands were taped up, holding a cricket bat. Today, my wrist was adorned with a platinum watch, and my fingers were swiping through digital projections on a glass table.
The South Africa tour was in the rearview mirror. The draw in the Tests and the loss in the ODIs still stung, but the professional athlete learns to compartmentalize. The cricketer was resting; the tycoon was clocking in.
We were gathered in the "War Room" a soundproof conference hall with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. This wasn't a team meeting about bowling changes. This was about building an empire.
The Agenda: The Birth of the Gujarat Titans.
My father, Rajat Pathak, had set up a specialized division within the conglomerate: The Pathak Sports Committee (PSC). This body would oversee all sports investments, starting with the IPL franchise.
Sitting at the head of the table was the man Dad had handpicked to run this ship: Aaditya Srivastav. Aaditya was a shark in a tailored suit. An ex-investment banker from Wall Street with a background in sports management, he was efficient, ruthless, and brilliant. He was the operational brain; I was the soul.
To my right sat Abhishek Sharma. My childhood friend, my future vice-captain (unofficially), and today, my "Chief Vibe Officer." He looked slightly terrified by the opulence of the room, spinning his visitor badge nervously.
And invisibly, but very much present, was Shradha. I was wearing a prototype pair of Astra Smart Glasses (Mark II). To everyone else, they looked like stylish wayfarers. To me, they were a Head-Up Display (HUD) projecting a secure video link. Shradha was in her room, but through the glasses and the bone-conduction audio, she was sitting right next to me.
Aaditya Srivastav stood up, dimming the lights. The projector hummed to life.
"Gentlemen," Aaditya began, his voice crisp. "We have the franchise rights. We have the bank guarantee. We have the home ground. Now, we need an identity."
He clicked a remote. A word appeared on the screen in bold, metallic letters.
TITANS.
"We explored several options," Aaditya explained. "Gujarat Lions (taken before), Gujarat Warriors, Ahmedabad Avengers. But 'Titans' resonates. In Greek mythology, the Titans were the pre-Olympian gods. They were the original rulers. They represent scale, strength, and inevitability. It fits the ethos of the Pathak Group. We don't just participate; we dominate."
I nodded. "It sounds heavy. I like heavy. What do you think, Shradha?" I whispered, barely moving my lips.
"It sounds powerful," Shradha's voice echoed in my ear, clear as a bell. "And it goes well with 'Astra'. Titans use weapons. Astra is a weapon."
"She likes it," I announced to the room.
"Who?" Aaditya asked, confused.
"My... advisor," I smiled, tapping the frame of my glasses.
Abhishek leaned in. "Does your advisor think we can get free food in the stadium?"
"Focus, Abhi," I kicked him under the table.
"Next," Aaditya said. "The Visual Identity. The Logo."
This was the tricky part. A logo defines a legacy. It's what the fans wear on their chests. It's what I would have to kiss after winning a trophy.
The design team, led by a nervous-looking creative director, walked in. They placed several boards on the easel.
Option 1: A roaring lion. (Too similar to CSK/RCB). Option 2: A stylized 'G' shaped like a shield. (Too corporate). Option 3: A warrior helmet. (Too KKR).
"These are... okay," I said, hesitating. "But they lack punch. They look like bank logos."
"They look boring," Shradha critiqued in my ear. "Tell them we need geometry. Sharp lines. Modern."
"We need something sharper," I translated. "More geometric. Less cartoonish."
The creative director nodded, sweating. "We have one more concept, Sir. It's a bit more... abstract. Avant-garde."
He revealed the final board.
I leaned forward. Abhishek stopped spinning his badge.
The Design: It was a bold, triangular emblem. Not an equilateral triangle, but a dynamic, upward-pointing shape that suggested a peak or an arrow head. At the top, in small, sleek uppercase letters: GUJARAT. Below it, dominating the space, the word: TITANS. The typography was strong, blocky, and modern with sharp, aggressive edges. It looked like it was carved out of metal. A subtle, stylized lightning bolt motif cut through the bottom of the triangle, beneath the text, suggesting energy and speed.
The Colors:Navy Blue: Deep, authoritative, grounding. Gold: Outlining the triangle, signifying royalty and wealth. White: The text, for high contrast.
It was centered on a textured light blue background, giving it a 3D effect. It looked clean. It looked official. It looked like a badge you would wear into battle.
"Whoa," Abhishek breathed. "That looks... expensive."
"That's the one," Shradha said instantly. "Aarav, that's the one. The triangle looks like a mountain peak. Table Mountain? No, Girnar. It represents rising up. And the lightning bolt... that's you. The pace."
I smiled. "The lightning bolt represents the pace attack," I said aloud, taking credit for her observation. "And the gold represents the standard we set."
I looked at Aaditya. "This is it. Lock it."
Aaditya nodded, making a note. "The 'Apex' Design. Good choice. It will look striking on merchandise."
Aaditya moved to the next slide. An image of a Gulfstream G650ER/Boeing 777 appeared on the screen.
"Logistics," Aaditya said. "The IPL schedule is grueling. Commercial flights, even business class, are a drain on energy. Delays, security checks, the bubble protocols... it adds up."
He looked at me.
"The Pathak Group Logistics Division has allocated one of its charters exclusively for the team for the duration of the season. We are rebranding it."
The slide changed to a render of the plane. The sleek white body of the jet was gone. In its place was a Navy Blue fuselage. A thick Gold stripe ran from the nose to the tail. The triangular Gujarat Titans logo was emblazoned on the vertical stabilizer (the tail fin). On the side of the plane, in massive white letters: TITANS FORCE ONE.
"We are painting a plane?" Abhishek asked, his jaw dropping. "Bro, I came here in a cab."
"It's about recovery," I said, looking at the render. "Legroom. Sleep. We finish a game at 11 PM, we are in the air by 1 AM, we sleep in real beds on the plane, and we wake up fresh in the next city. It's a competitive advantage."
"And," Aaditya added, "it's a massive branding billboard. Everywhere this plane lands, people will know the Titans have arrived."
"Can I ride in it?" Shradha asked.
"Family allowed," I whispered. "Obviously."
The final agenda item was the money. In the IPL, the jersey is prime real estate. The 'Front of Shirt' sponsor is the crown jewel. Usually, teams scramble to find brands betting companies, tire manufacturers, ed-tech.
Aaditya pulled up a spreadsheet. "We have offers. Muthoot Finance. Byju's. Dream11. They are offering anywhere between 20 to 30 Crores for the front chest slot."
I shook my head. "No."
The room went quiet. Turning down money is rare in business.
"We don't need their money," I said calmly. "We have our own ecosystem, and we don't lack any money. If we put another brand on our chest, we are advertising them. Why should we dilute our brand?"
I tapped the table.
"The Main Sponsor... the Chest Sponsor... will be Astra."
Aaditya frowned slightly, doing the mental math. "It's an inter-company transfer, Aarav. You are essentially paying yourself."
"Exactly," I leaned back. "Astra is a global. We just did the deal with Microsoft and SoftBank. We are launching the Smart Glasses version 2 soon and new ai model too. We need visibility. What better platform than the IPL, on the chest of the winning captain?"
I pointed to the other slots on the digital jersey mockup.
"Right Arm: Pathak Entertainment." "Left Arm: PatMart."
"We create a closed loop," I explained. "The Gujarat Titans isn't just a cricket team. It's the flagship of the Pathak Group. When people see that jersey, they don't see a clutter of random logos. They see Us."
Abhishek raised his hand tentatively. "Can I put 'Abhishek's Batting School' on the helmet?"
"Can you afford 5 Crores?" Aaditya asked deadpan.
"I withdraw the question," Abhishek saluted.
I laughed. "We'll keep the helmet open for a strategic partner. Maybe a charity."
Aaditya smiled. It was a shark's smile. He liked the audacity. "Vertical Integration. It keeps the valuation high. It keeps the control absolute. I like it. We will draft the contracts."
"One last thing," I said. "The jersey reveal. I don't want a press conference where we just hold up a shirt. That's boring."
"What do you propose?" Aaditya asked.
I tapped my glasses. "We have Astra. We have the Metaverse tech we are building. Let's do the first-ever Augmented Reality Jersey Launch."
"Explain."
"We create a QR code. We blast it on social media. When fans scan it, the jersey doesn't just appear on their phone screen. It projects onto them using the selfie camera. They can 'wear' the Titans jersey before it even hits the stores using AI. And for the media... we do a drone projection at the Stadium."
"That's brilliant," Shradha said in my ear. "Viral marketing."
"The lady agrees," I said.
Aaditya closed his folder. "It will cost a fortune in tech development."
"I own the tech company," I reminded him. "It will cost us bandwidth."
Aaditya stood up and extended his hand. "Welcome to the Gujarat Titans, Captain Pathak. The machine is in motion."
I shook his hand. "Let's make it a dynasty."
The meeting adjourned. The lawyers and designers filed out. Abhishek and I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The sun was setting over Mumbai, casting long shadows over the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
"You know," Abhishek said quietly, looking at the cars crawling like ants below. "I used to think you were lucky. You know, rich dad, good genes."
"And now?"
"Now I think you're scary," he laughed. "You just turned down 30 Crores from a sponsor because you wanted to wear your own name. That's... that's gangster stuff, bro."
"It's belief, Abhi," I said, looking at my reflection in the glass. The Astra glasses glinted. "If we don't bet on ourselves, who will?"
I tapped the glasses. "Shradha? You still there?"
"I'm here," her voice was soft. "That was... intense. You sound different when you're in that room. Less 'cuddle time', more 'world domination'."
"Do you like it?"
"It's sexy," she admitted. "But don't let it go to your head. You still have to do the dishes when we get married."
I laughed aloud. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Who are you talking to?" Abhishek asked, looking around. "Are the ghosts of billionaires past haunting you?"
"Future wife," I pointed to the glasses.
Abhishek shook his head. "Tech billionaire. Cricket captain. Dating the Princess. I hate you. But I love you."
"I love you too, man," I draped an arm around his shoulder. "Now, come on. We have one more meeting."
"More?" Abhishek groaned. "My brain is full."
"This one is fun," I promised. "We have the team name. We have the logo. We have the plane. We have the money."
"What's left?"
"The players," I grinned. "The Mega Auction is in two weeks. We need to build a squad. I have a list. And you, my friend, are going to help me scout."
Abhishek's eyes lit up. "Scouting? Can I reject players? Can I reject... say... Krunal Pandya?"
"We'll see," I winked.
We walked out of the office. The Gujarat Titans were born on paper. Now, we had to build them in flesh and blood.
[IMAGE: The Gujarat Titans Logo - A sharp, navy blue and gold triangular crest with a lightning bolt.][IMAGE: The 'Titans Force One' private jet on the runway.]
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The IPL Mega Auction was less than two weeks away. The air in the conference room was thick with the smell of espresso and ambition. The blinds were drawn, shutting out the sun, while the projector screen illuminated the faces of five men who were about to decide the fate of billions of rupees.
This was the brain trust of the Gujarat Titans.
I sat at the head of the table. To my right sat Ashish Nehra, our Head Coach. Nehra ji was leaning back in his chair, his legs crossed, looking deceptively relaxed in a simple t-shirt and jeans. But his eyes were sharp, scanning the data sheets in front of him.
To my left was Vikram Solanki, the Director of Cricket calm, composed, the British precision to Nehra's desi flair. Next to him sat Gary Kirsten, the Batting Coach and Mentor. The man who guided India to the 2011 World Cup. His presence added a layer of gravitas to the room. Aashish Kapoor, our Spin Bowling Coach and Lead Scout, was busy arranging a stack of domestic player profiles. And finally, Aman Mathur, the Team Manager, who was frantically typing notes on his laptop.
"Right," I broke the silence, tapping the table. "We have the franchise. We have the brand. Now, we need the soldiers."
The first order of business was the Pre-Auction Draft. As a new team, we were allowed to pick three players before the auction began.
Vikram Solanki stood up. "We have a purse of 90 Crores. Every crore we spend now is a crore less for the auction. We need impact."
He projected three slots on the screen.
Slot 1 (Captain): 15 Crores. Slot 2: 15 Crores. Slot 3: 8 Crores.
"Slot 1 is obvious," Ashish Nehra grinned, pointing a pen at me. "If we don't pick the owner, I think I lose my job."
I laughed. "I think the Captaincy is non-negotiable, Nehra ji."
Draft Pick 1: Aarav Pathak.Role: Captain, All-Rounder. Price: ₹15 Crores.
"Now," I leaned forward. "Slot 2. We need a match-winner. Someone who walks into any T20 side in the world."
"Rashid Khan," Aashish Kapoor said immediately. "He was released by Sunrisers. He is the best T20 bowler on the planet. Four overs, 20 runs, 2 wickets. Every game. He controls the middle overs."
Gary Kirsten nodded. "Rashid gives us defensive security. With Aarav bowling powerplay and death, Rashid locks down the middle. It's a perfect combination."
"He wants top bracket money," Solanki warned.
"He's worth it," I said decisively. "Pay him. We build the attack around him."
Draft Pick 2: Rashid Khan.Role: Leg Spinner. Price: ₹15 Crores.
"Slot 3," Nehra rubbed his chin. "We need a batsman. A top-order player who can be the face of the franchise alongside Aarav."
"Shubman Gill," I said. It wasn't a suggestion; it was a statement.
Gary Kirsten looked at the stats. "He struggled in the KKR setup recently. Strike rate issues."
"Because they made him play a role he hated," I countered. "Shubman is a Ferrari. You don't drive a Ferrari in traffic. You give him the open road. He bats at the top. I bat at 3 or 4. We build the innings around him."
Nehra looked at me. "He's your friend. Is this emotional or tactical?"
"It's tactical," I said, meeting his gaze. "He is the next big thing in Indian batting after me. KKR let him go. That is their loss. We get him for 8 Crores? That is a steal. In three years, he will be worth 20."
Nehra smiled. "I like the confidence. Lock him in."
Draft Pick 3: Shubman Gill.Role: Opener. Price: ₹8 Crores.
Total Spent: 38 Crores. Remaining Purse: 52 Crores.
The Abhishek Gamble
"What about Abhishek Sharma?" Aashish Kapoor asked, pulling up his file. "Left-handed opener. Spin bowling option. Your childhood friend. Do we use the draft for him?"
I shook my head. "No."
The room looked surprised.
"Abhishek is good," I explained. "But he is uncapped. He hasn't had that breakout season yet. If we draft him, we pay a premium or use a slot that limits our purse. The other teams... they know him, but they won't break the bank for him yet. Sunrisers might try to buy him back, but won't go too high."
I looked at Solanki.
"We let him go to the auction. We buy him there. I think we can get him for 5 or 6 Crores. It saves us a draft slot and keeps our options open."
"Risky," Nehra mused. "If a bidding war starts..."
"Then we fight," I said. "But we don't draft him. We draft the established players."
The screen changed. Now, it was a list of targets. The Scouting Report. Aashish Kapoor took the floor. "Based on your inputs, Aarav, and our domestic scouting, we have identified value picks. Underrated players. High ceiling."
1. The Finisher: Rahul Tewatia "People think he's a one-hit wonder because of that Cottrell over," I said. "But he has guts. He can win games from impossible situations. And he bowls leg-spin. We need all-rounders." Target Price: 8-9 Cr.
2. The Keeper-Finisher: Jitesh Sharma "Who?" Gary Kirsten asked. "Vidarbha player," Kapoor explained. "Strikes at 150 from ball one. He doesn't need sighters. Perfect for Number 5 or 6. MI is releasing Ishan Kishan, but he will go for 15 Crores. Jitesh will come for base price or slightly more." Target Price: 20-50 Lakhs.
3. The X-Factor: Rinku Singh "KKR might be interested," I noted. " His stock is low. But I've seen him in domestic. He is a pocket dynamo. If we can steal him, he finishes games." Target Price: 50 Lakh - 1 Cr.
4. The Mystery Spin: Sai Kishore "Tall left-arm spinner from Tamil Nadu," Kapoor said. "CSK kept him on the bench for years. He is hungry. He bowls in the Powerplay." "Get him," Nehra said. "I like tall spinners. They get bounce." Target Price: 3 Cr.
5. The Redemption Arc: Kuldeep Yadav "KKR destroyed his confidence," I said. "He was crying on the field. But the skill is there. If we give him love, if we give him confidence... he is a match-winner. And he will be cheap because everyone thinks he is finished." Target Price: 2-3 Cr.
6. The Pace Project: Umran Malik "Raw pace," Nehra's eyes lit up. "150 clicks. J&K boy. Sunrisers have him as a net bowler. If he is in the auction, we bid. Pace is pace. You can't teach 150." Target Price: 4 Cr.
7. The Left-Arm Pacer: Yash Dayal "We need a left-arm seamer to complement me and Shami (if we get him)," I said. "Dayal swings it upfront. Good domestic record." Target Price: 2-3 Cr.
8. The Gun Fielder/Finisher: Kamlesh Nagarkoti "Injury prone," Solanki noted. "But athletic," I countered. "One of the best fielders in India. And can bat. A good squad player." Target Price: 1 Cr.
9. The Overseas Core: David Miller "Killer Miller," Gary Kirsten smiled. "He hasn't fired lately." "Because they play him too low," I said. "We give him a specific role. Number 5. Finish the game. His experience is vital." Target Price: 3 Cr.
10. The Tall Option: Marco Jansen "I faced him in South Africa," I said, rubbing my ribs subconsciously. "He is awkward. Bounce, angle. He is a nightmare to face. He can be our overseas pacer." Target Price: 4 Cr.
11. The Controversial Pick: Arjun Tendulkar The room went quiet. "Nepotism?" Nehra asked bluntly. "No," I said firmly. "He's a left-arm pacer who can bat. He bowls 135+. He has a good yorker. And... he has the best cricketing brain in his house to guide him. Mumbai Indians will try to get him for the sentiment. We bid. If we get him, we develop him. No favors." Target Price: Base Price.
"What about Hardik Pandya?" Aman Mathur asked, checking the list of marquee players. "Released by Mumbai. Gujarat boy. Local hero. Should we...?"
"No," I cut him off.
"He's an asset," Solanki argued. "Proven winner."
"He wants to be Captain," I said, leaning back. "Lucknow is offering him the armband. If we go for him, there will be a power struggle. I am the Captain. I need a team that follows one vision. Hardik is a brother, but on the field... we can't have two swords in one sheath."
Nehra nodded. "Agreed. Too much alpha energy. We skip Hardik. Let Lucknow spend 15 crores on him. We use that money to build depth."
"We are building a bowling team," Nehra summarized. "Rashid, Aarav, Shami (Target), Ferguson/Josh Hazlewood (Target), Sai Kishore. If we can restrict teams to 160, our batting—Gill, Aarav, Aarav, Miller, Tewatia—can chase it."
"It's Moneyball," I said. "We aren't buying the most expensive players. We are buying the right players. Players with a point to prove. Kuldeep, Miller, Gill, Tewatia... they all have chips on their shoulders."
"And you?" Gary Kirsten asked.
"I have a title to win," I smiled.
"Okay," Solanki closed his laptop. "The Auction is in Bangalore on February 12th. We have our list. We have our budget. Let's go shopping."
I stood up. The meeting was over. The blueprint was ready. Now, we just had to execute it in the chaos of the auction room.
"Nehra ji," I said as we walked out. "One thing."
"Yeah?"
"If Mumbai Indians bid for Arjun... raise the paddle at least once. Just to annoy them."
Nehra burst out laughing. "Done."
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January 30, 2022. Mumbai.The Pathak Residence.Time: 5:00 PM IST.
The sprawling Living room of Aarav's house was usually a place of quiet luxury, but today it felt like a college dorm room that had won the lottery. The massive 85-inch television was tuned to Star Sports, the volume turned up to a level that made the crystal chandelier vibrate.
I sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa, wearing a comfortable hoodie. Shradha was sitting next to me, her fingers interlocked with mine, squeezing rhythmically. On the sofa behind us sat my parents, Rajat and Priya Pathak, looking more nervous than they did during the World Cup Final.
To my left, sprawled on bean bags, were Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, fighting over a bowl of popcorn. And sitting on the armrest of the sofa, looking elegant as always, was Sara Tendulkar Shradha's elder sister and Gill's fiancée.
It was decision day. The ICC Awards 2021.
The anchor on the screen, Jatin Sapru, was building the suspense. The graphics flashed the prestigious title: The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year.
The Nominees:
Joe Root (England): The Test colossus. 1708 runs in the calendar year. A mountain of runs.
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): The Eagle. His opening spells had terrorized the world.
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan): The T20 machine. Most runs in a calendar year in the shortest format.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand): The Captain. Leader of the WTC Finalists and T20 World Cup Finalists.
Aarav Pathak (India): The Phenomenon. WTC Winner. T20 World Cup Winner. Player of the Tournament.
"Stop eating so loud!" Sara scolded Shubman, hitting his shoulder lightly. "They are about to announce it."
"I am stress eating!" Gill protested, stuffing another handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Look at the competition. Joe Root made runs for fun. Shaheen was unplayable."
"Aarav hit Shaheen for six, hit runs in root backyard." Abhishek pointed out, stealing popcorn from Gill. "Argument over."
"Shh!" Mom hushed them.
On the screen, a montage played. It showed Root's cover drives, Shaheen's yorkers, Williamson's calm defense. And then, it showed the blue jersey. Aarav's century at Lord's.The catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell.The no-look six off Haris Rauf.The World Cup lifting moment.
The montage ended. The studio lights dimmed.
Jatin Sapru: "It has been a year of incredible individual performances. But one player has transcended formats. One player has defined the word 'Impact'. The winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for 2021 is..."
The room went dead silent. Shradha's grip tightened to the point of pain.
"...AARAV PATHAK!"
The screen exploded with graphics of me holding the World Cup.
Youngest Ever Winner: 21 Years and 152 Days.(Previous Record: Steve Smith, 26 Years).
For a split second, nobody moved. Then, the room erupted.
"YES!" Abhishek screamed, jumping up and spilling the popcorn everywhere. "That's my brother!" Gill roared, tackling me into the carpet.
Shradha hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe. "You did it! You actually did it!"
My mom was crying, hugging my dad. Sara was clapping, beaming with pride.
I lay on the floor, laughing, looking up at the ceiling. The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. The highest individual honor in the sport. And I had won it at 21.
"Get off him, you buffalo!" Shradha pulled Gill off me. "Let him breathe!"
I sat up, fixing my hair. "Did they say 'Youngest Ever'?"
"They did," Sara nodded, checking her phone. "Steve Smith is history. You are the new benchmark."
Abhishek: "Bro, you are officially the best cricketer on planet Earth. Does this mean you treat us to dinner? Or do you charge us an appearance fee now?"
I laughed, standing up and hugging my parents. "No fee. But definitely dinner."
The TV continued to blare. The announcements kept coming.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year:Aarav Pathak.ICC Test Team of the Year:Aarav Pathak (at No. 6).ICC T20I Team of the Year:Aarav Pathak (at No. 4). ICC ODI Team of the Year: Aarav Pathak (at No. 4).
It was a clean sweep. Domination.
"Okay, that's enough TV," Dad said, wiping his eyes. "This calls for a celebration. Real celebration."
I looked towards the kitchen door. Our head cook, Ramesh Kaka, was peeking out, grinning from ear to ear. He had been with the family since I was born.
"Ramesh Kaka!" I shouted.
"Ha Baba?" he came running out, wiping his hands on his apron.
"Forget the diet today," I declared, putting an arm around Shradha. "I want everything. Pav Bhaji. Butter Chicken. Biryani. And for dessert... Gajar ka Halwa. Loads of it."
"Done!" Ramesh Kaka beamed. "I knew you would win. I already soaked the carrots."
"Preparation," Gill nodded sagely. "That is why the food is always good here."
We spent the rest of the night eating, laughing, and re-watching the highlights on repeat or watching movie. There were no interviews, no media obligations, no politically correct statements. Just friends roasting each other, family sharing pride, and the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.
As the night wound down, I sat on the balcony with Shradha, watching the Mumbai lights.
"Best player in the world," she whispered, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"Second best," I corrected.
"Who's first?"
"Your dad," I smiled. "Always."
She chuckled. "Good answer. Safe answer."
The awards were done. The recognition was complete. But the hunger wasn't gone. If anything, it was stronger.
The IPL Mega Auction was 12 days away. And the Best Player in the World was about to go shopping.
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February 12-13, 2022. ITC Gardenia, Bangalore.The IPL Mega Auction.
The ballroom of the ITC Gardenia was cold, illuminated by the harsh glare of studio lights and the massive LED screens displaying player profiles. Ten tables were arranged in a semi-circle, each representing a fiefdom of the IPL.
At Table 9, the Gujarat Titans management sat ready. Unlike the other tables where owners whispered frantically Preity Zinta at Punjab, Akash Ambani at Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan's children at KKR.
Ashish Nehra (Head Coach) sat with a pen in his mouth, looking like he was solving a crossword puzzle rather than spending millions. Vikram Solanki (Director of Cricket) had the laptop open, the Excel sheets glowing. Gary Kirsten (Batting Coach) and Aashish Kapoor (Scout) flanked them.
They had a purse of ₹52 Crores (after the draft picks of Aarav, Rashid, and Gill). They had a list. And they had silence from the owner, which meant complete trust.
Day 1: The Heavy Hitters
The auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades, slammed his gavel. The chaos began.
The first major target for Gujarat was the partner for Shubman Gill. Lot: Jonny Bairstow. Nehra raised the paddle immediately. Punjab Kings countered. Delhi Capitals jumped in. The price ticked up. 3 Cr. 4 Cr. 5 Cr. Nehra didn't flinch. He kept the paddle up. At ₹6.75 Crores, the room went quiet. SOLD to Gujarat Titans. The first overseas pillar was secured.
Next came the fast bowling spearhead. Lot: Josh Hazlewood. "We need control," Solanki whispered. RCB wanted him desperately. Mumbai sniffed around. But Gujarat had the budget allocation for a premium pacer. SOLD for ₹7.75 Crores.
Then, the emotional pick. Lot: Abhishek Sharma. Sunrisers Hyderabad opened the bidding. They wanted their boy back. Punjab Kings entered the fray. Nehra looked at Solanki. "Aarav said don't lose him." The price crossed 2 Crores. 3 Crores. Sunrisers hesitated. SOLD to Gujarat Titans for ₹3.50 Crores. The childhood friend, the left-hand dynamo, was coming to Ahmedabad.
Lot: Rahul Tewatia. The bidding was fierce. Rajasthan Royals wanted to retain their miracle man. But Nehra loved the balance Tewatia offered. "Keep going," Nehra muttered. SOLD for ₹9.00 Crores. It was a high price, but it secured a finisher and a spinner in one package.
By the end of Day 1, the core was formed.
Day 2: The Moneyball Masterclass
Day 2 is where auctions are won or lost. The glamour fades, and the scouts earn their paychecks.
The Steals:
David Miller. "Killer Miller." His stocks were low after a few quiet seasons. Nehra raised the paddle at Base Price. Silence. SOLD for ₹2.00 Crores. Gary Kirsten smiled. They had just bought one of the best finishers in the world for peanuts.
Kuldeep Yadav. The chinaman bowler looked dejected on the screen. Delhi Capitals bid. Gujarat countered. SOLD for ₹3.00 Crores. Aashish Kapoor nodded. "He will win us matches."
Rinku Singh. KKR tried to buy him, but they had exhausted their purse on Shreyas Iyer. Gujarat swooped. SOLD for ₹60 Lakhs. Nehra chuckled. "That is the steal of the auction."
Umran Malik. The J&K express. 150kmph. Sunrisers tried, but Gujarat wanted speed to match their captain. SOLD for ₹4.00 Crores.
Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm death bowling specialist. Punjab fought hard, but Gujarat's purse management on Day 1 paid off. SOLD for ₹5.00 Crores.
The Overseas Power:
Tim David. The Singaporean-Australian powerhouse. Mumbai wanted him, but Gujarat outbid them early. SOLD for ₹8.25 Crores.
Heinrich Klaasen. The South African keeper-batter. Underrated destroyer of spin. SOLD for Base Price.
As the auctioneer brought the hammer down on the final player, Sai Kishore, the Gujarat Titans table relaxed. They closed their laptops. They had spent almost every rupee, but they had built a squad that covered every base.
Ashish Nehra picked up the phone. He dialed one number. "It's done, Skipper," Nehra said. "We got them."
The official list was released to the media minutes later.
GUJARAT TITANS SQUAD 2022
Batters:
Shubman Gill (Right-hand, Opener) - Draft Pick
Abhishek Sharma (Left-hand, Opener)
Aarav Pathak (C) (Right-hand, No. 3, 150kmph Pacer) - Draft Pick
Sai Sudharsan (Left-hand, Anchor) - The Scout's Pick
David Miller ✈️ (Left-hand, Finisher)
Tim David ✈️ (Right-hand, Power Hitter)
Rinku Singh (Left-hand, Finisher)
Abhinav Manohar (Right-hand, Power Hitter)
All-Rounders: 9. Rahul Tewatia (Left-hand, Leg Spin)
Wicketkeepers:
10. Jonny Bairstow ✈️ (Right-hand, Opener/WK)
11. Wriddhiman Saha (Right-hand, Opener/WK)
12. Heinrich Klaasen ✈️ (Right-hand, Middle Order/WK)
13. Jitesh Sharma (Right-hand, Finisher/WK)
Spinners:
14. Rashid Khan ✈️ (Leg Spin) - Draft Pick
15. Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm Wrist Spin)
16. Noor Ahmad ✈️ (Left-arm Wrist Spin) - The Mystery Card
17. R. Sai Kishore (Left-arm Orthodox)
Pacers:
18. Josh Hazlewood ✈️ (Right-arm Fast)
19. Arshdeep Singh (Left-arm Fast-Medium)
20. Umran Malik (Right-arm Fast, 150+ kmph)
21. Yash Dayal (Left-arm Fast-Medium)
22. Jason Behrendorff ✈️ (Left-arm Fast-Medium)
Squad Analysis:
Captain: Aarav Pathak.
The empty chair at the table had spoken louder than anyone else. The team was built. The Titans were assembled. Now, they just had to play.
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Author's Note: - 5400+ Words
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