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March 20, 2022. Vijay Khel Maidan, Patra City."Titans First Look" - Live on YouTube.Time: 4:00 PM IST.
The countdown clock on the giant screen hit zero. The cameras went live. In living rooms, offices, and cafes across India, millions of screens lit up with the drone shot of the new fortress. The view was spectacular—the emerald green outfield, the navy blue seats, and the Titans logo painted on the grass banks.
Jatin Sapru (Commentary): "Hello and welcome to history! For the first time ever, an IPL franchise is opening its doors before the tournament begins. 2.5 Million of you are watching live right now! This is the Gujarat Titans First Look. Team Aarav versus Team Rashid. The Blue versus the Gold."
I stood at the toss with Rashid Khan. "Heads," Rashid called. It was Tails. "We'll bat," I smiled at the camera. "We have a theory called 'Velocity'. Today, we test it."
Josh Hazlewood took the new ball for Team Rashid. He is one of the best Test bowlers in the world. He hits a line and length that suffocates batsmen.
But Abhishek Sharma had a contract. He had a License to Kill.
Over 1. Ball 1. Hazlewood ran in. Good length, just outside off. Abhishek didn't sighter. He didn't leave. He skipped down the track, turning a good ball into a half-volley. CRACK. He swatted it over mid-on. It wasn't just a hit; it was a statement. FOUR.
The YouTube chat moved so fast it became a blur of emojis. 🔥🔥🔥ABHI!!!Is this a practice match?!
Ball 2: Hazlewood shortened his length. Abhishek was waiting. He swiveled. The Pull Shot. It flew over Wriddhiman Saha's head behind the stumps. SIX.
I stood in the dugout, arms crossed, a wide grin on my face. Ashish Nehra was laughing beside me. "He actually listened. The madman."
Over 2: Arshdeep Singh. Sai Sudharsan was on strike. The 20-year-old from Tamil Nadu was a contrast to Abhishek. Arshdeep swung it away. Sai leaned into the drive. High elbow. Perfect balance. The ball raced through the covers. FOUR.
Over 3: Josh Hazlewood. Abhishek was on strike. He stepped out again. Hazlewood tried the yorker. Abhishek converted it into a full toss and whipped it over square leg. SIX.
It was carnage. Usually, practice matches are about getting a feel for the bat. This was an assault. By the end of the 6th Over, the scoreboard looked glitchy.
Team Aarav: 80/0 (6 Overs).Abhishek Sharma: 51* (20 balls). Sai Sudharsan: 27* (16 balls). Extras: 2.
Abhishek raised his bat for a 19-ball fifty. He looked at the dugout. I gave him a standing ovation. He had done exactly what was asked.
The Captain Enters
Over 7: Rashid Khan. The Magician came on to stop the bleeding. First ball. Abhishek tried to reverse-sweep him. He missed the line. The ball skidded onto the pads. "HOWZAT!" Given. Abhishek Sharma lbw b Rashid 51 (21).
He walked off to applause from both teams. The job was done. The platform was set.
I walked out at Number 3. Sai Sudharsan met me in the middle. "Good pitch?" I asked. "Beautiful, Anna," Sai smiled. "Ball coming on nicely."
I marked my guard against Rashid. My teammate. My draft pick. He grinned. "Ready, Skip?" "Don't bowl the googly first up, Rashid," I warned playfully.
He bowled the googly. I read it from the hand. I stayed back and cut it past point. FOUR.
Sai Sudharsan played the anchor perfectly, rotating strike and punishing the bad balls. He eventually fell for a classy 45, caught at long-off by Miller.
Then came the heavy artillery. Heinrich Klaasen walked in at Number 4. He faced Kuldeep Yadav. Klaasen hates spin. Or rather, he loves destroying it. He hit Kuldeep for three consecutive sixes over mid-wicket. The sound of the bat was terrifying.
Tim David joined me at the death. Over 18: Arshdeep Singh. Tim David stands 6'5" slightly taller then Aarav. He reached a wide yorker and muscled it over extra cover for six. Then I took over. I faced Josh Hazlewood in the 19th. 140 kmph. I played the Helicopter Shot. It sailed over long-on.
Team Aarav Total: 227/4 (20 Overs).
Aarav Pathak: 68 (32). Tim David: 35* (12). Heinrich Klaasen: 40 (18).
It was a monstrous score. The 'Velocity' philosophy had produced 227 runs against a world-class bowling attack.
Target: 228.
Shubman Gill and Jonny Bairstow walked out to open for Team Rashid (Gold). They needed a flyer.
Over 1: Umran Malik. This was the matchup the fans wanted to see. The Jammu Express. Umran marked his long run-up. Ball 1: He steamed in. 152.4 kmph. Gill defended. The ball hit the bat hard. Ball 2:154.1 kmph. Gill tried to pull. He was late. The ball hurried onto him. Dot.
Over 4:Yash Dayal. Jonny Bairstow decided to attack. He hit two boundaries, but then Dayal got one to nip back. Bairstow chopped it onto his stumps. Team Rashid: 35/1.
Shubman Gill played a beautiful innings. He anchored the chase, scoring a fluid 65 off 40 balls. David Miller tried to finish it. He hit Jason Behrendorff for a massive six. Abhinav Manohar showed his power, smashing Noor Ahmad into the stands.
But 227 was too much. The pressure of the scoreboard meant they had to hit every ball. Rashid Khan came in at the end and played a cameo, hitting a helicopter shot of his own, but it wasn't enough.
Team Rashid: 192/7 (20 Overs).
Team Aarav won by 35 runs.
The cameras stopped rolling. The live stream ended. We gathered in the center of the Vijay Khel Maidan. The sun had set, and the floodlights were buzzing.
"Well?" I asked, looking at the group.
"That was fun," David Miller wiped sweat from his forehead. "227? If we do that in the tournament, we won't lose many games."
Ashish Nehra was beaming. "The intent. That is what I liked. Abhishek, 50 in the Powerplay. That is the gold standard."
I looked at Shubman Gill. He had scored runs, but his team lost. "Good knock, Shubman," I said. "We were chasing ghosts," Gill laughed. "227 is a mountain. But the pitch is good."
I addressed the team. "This is who we are," I said, pointing to the scoreboard. "We don't fear getting out. We fear scoring slowly. Today, Team Aarav won, but the real winner is the philosophy. We have the firepower. We have the pace. We have the spin."
I looked at Umran Malik. "154 clicks, Umran. Keep it up." Umran blushed, smiling.
"Rest day tomorrow," I announced.
The players cheered. We walked back to the Titan's Den. The experiment was a success. The world had seen the First Look. And what they saw was a team that was ready to explode.
I checked my phone as we walked. Twitter Trending:
#TitansFirstLook
#AbhishekSharma
#GujaratTitans
#IPL2022
The hype machine was fully operational. Now, we just had to do it when the points mattered.
This trial match and everything was just for hype marketing. To tell everyone, there is a new team.
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March 27, 2022.
The air in the conference room was different tonight. For weeks, it had been filled with the noise of bonding, banter, and strategy. But tonight, on the eve of our first-ever IPL match against the Lucknow Super Giants, the air was thick with a specific kind of silence.
It was the silence of judgment.
Every player in the room knew the math. A squad of 22. Only 11 could play. For the rookies, it was a question of dreams. For the veterans, it was a question of relevance.
Ashish Nehra stood at the front. He wasn't wearing his usual training shorts. He was in the official team tracks, looking serious for the first time in a month. He held a sheet of paper in his hand—the team sheet.
"Boys," Nehra began, his voice raspier than usual. "We have worked hard. We have sweated in Surat. We have planned in Patra City. We have showed the world our intent. But tomorrow... tomorrow the cameras are real. The points are real."
He paced the room, making eye contact with everyone.
"The XI we pick tonight isn't just for one game. It is a statement. It tells the opposition how we intend to hurt them. Some of you will be disappointed. That is natural. But remember, the IPL is a marathon. Your time will come."
Nehra stopped. He looked at me. "Captain. Your floor."
I stood up. I walked to the front, standing next to the screen where the Gujarat Titans logo pulsed in gold. I didn't hold a paper. I knew the names. I had spent sleepless nights agonizing over the balance, the matchups, the gut feelings.
"Lucknow," I said. "Led by Hardik Pandya. KL Rahul. Krunal Pandya. Stoinis. They are heavy. They are strong."
I paused.
"But we are Titans. And this... this is the army we march with tomorrow."
"Openers," I said, looking at the front row.
"Shubman Gill." Shubman nodded, his face impassive, but his knuckles white as he gripped his armrest. He was the draft pick. "Shubman, you are the support. But an aggressive anchor. You bat deep. You control the game."
"Abhishek Sharma." Abhishek sat up straight. He looked at me, a grin breaking out. "The License is active, Abhi," I smiled. "First ball. Kill." "Consider it done, Captain," Abhishek replied, shooting a finger gun.
"Number 3," I pointed to myself. "Aarav Pathak." "I control the tempo. If we lose wickets, I stabilize. If we get a start, I accelerate."
"Number 4," I looked at the South African wicketkeeper. "Heinrich Klaasen." Klaasen, who had been undervalued by other franchises, looked surprised. He thought Miller might bat ahead of him. "Klaasen, you are my spin destroyer," I said firmly. "Ravi Bishnoi will bowl in the middle overs. Krunal will bowl. You take them down. You keep the gloves." "Ready, Skipper," Klaasen nodded, a steely glint in his eyes.
"Number 5," I turned to the veteran. "David Miller." "Killer Miller," I said. "The world thinks you are done. Rajasthan let you go. Prove them wrong. You finish the game. You and the next man."
"Number 6," I looked at the back of the room. At a man who had spent years carrying drinks for KKR, playing odd games, never getting a run. "Rinku Singh."
Rinku froze. He looked around, as if checking if there was another Rinku in the room. His eyes went wide. He pointed at himself. "Me, Bhai?" "You, Rinku," I smiled. "You are my finisher. You have the heart of a lion. Go out there and express yourself. No fear." Rinku didn't speak. He just pressed his palms together in a Namaste, his eyes glistening. It was the moment he had waited for his entire life.
"Number 7," I continued. "Rahul Tewatia." I nodded at him. "Batting, bowling, fielding. You are the glue. If we need 12 off 2 balls, I'm looking at you." Tewatia smirked. "Easy."
"Number 8," I looked at the magician. "Rashid Khan." "Vice-Captain for the bowling unit," I said. "You control the middle. You take the wickets. You are the best in the world. Show them why." Rashid tapped his chest. "Always."
Now came the bowlers. The area where the critics said we were weak.
"Number 9," I looked at the man who had sat on the KKR bench, crying after being hit for runs, his confidence shattered. "Kuldeep Yadav."
Kuldeep looked up, startled. He expected Sai Kishore to play. "You are a match-winner, Kuldeep," I said, my voice serious. "I don't care about the last two years. I care about the ball coming out of your hand tomorrow. You are my lead spinner alongside Rashid. Be brave. Flight the ball." Kuldeep swallowed hard, a look of fierce determination replacing the uncertainty in his eyes. "Thank you, Aarav bhai. I won't let you down."
"Number 10," I looked at the left-armer. "Arshdeep Singh." "Death bowling specialist," I said. "You bowl the tough overs. Powerplay and hopefully Death. You have the skills. Use them." Arshdeep adjusted his turban, nodding. "Hanji Paaji."
"Number 11," I looked at the tall Australian. "Josh Hazlewood." "Hoff," I said. "You lead the attack. Test match lengths. Hit the top of off. Make KL Rahul uncomfortable." "Standard procedure," Hazlewood drawled, relaxed as ever.
I projected the list on the screen.
GUJARAT TITANS XI vs LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
Abhishek Sharma (LHB)
Shubman Gill (RHB)
Aarav Pathak (C) (RHB)
Heinrich Klaasen (WK) (RHB) - ✈️
David Miller (LHB) - ✈️
Rinku Singh (LHB)
Rahul Tewatia (LHB/Leg Spin)
Rashid Khan (Leg Spin) - ✈️
Kuldeep Yadav (Chinaman)
Arshdeep Singh (Left-Arm Fast)
Josh Hazlewood (Right-Arm Fast) - ✈️
I looked at Umran Malik and Sai Sudharsan. They looked disappointed. "Umran, Sai," I addressed them. "The tournament is long. You are important players. Be ready. You might play the next game. You might play tomorrow if someone twists an ankle. Stay switched on."
The room broke into applause. It wasn't just polite clapping; it was the sound of a team coalescing. The roles were defined. The confusion was gone.
Kuldeep Yadav was sitting with Rashid Khan, discussing grip variations. The brotherhood of spin was already forming. Kuldeep looked lighter, happier. The fear of failure was being replaced by the joy of bowling.
David Miller came over. "Good team, Skip. Balanced. Rinku at 6 is a bold call. I like it." "He reminds me of a young Raina," I said. "Left-handed, fearless, great fielder." "Let's hope he hits like him," Miller grinned.
Abhishek Sharma was vibrating with energy. "Opening tomorrow. Opening tomorrow. Opening tomorrow." He kept muttering it like a mantra. "Go to sleep, Abhi," I laughed. "If you yawn in the first over, I'll fire you."
Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants.Aarav Pathak vs Hardik Pandya.The Battle of the Debutants.
I hung up. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The auctions, the logos, the meetings, the branding... it was all done. Tomorrow, there would be no scripts. No projections. No valuations. Just a bat, a ball, and eleven men trying to prove they belonged.
I closed my eyes. Play ball.
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March 28, 2022. Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.Match 4: Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants.Time: 6:30 PM IST (Pre-Match Show).
The IPL is a beast that feeds on narratives. It loves a rivalry. It loves a storyline. But rarely does it get a script as delicious as this.
Two new franchises born from the ashes of the Mega Auction. Two cities with everything to prove. And two captains who were brothers in arms just months ago, now standing on opposite sides of the territorial line.
Gujarat Titans, led by the 21-year-old billionaire wunderkind, Aarav Pathak. Lucknow Super Giants, led by the flamboyant, returning hero, Hardik Pandya.
The Ekana Stadium was a sea of cyan blue (LSG colors). The humidity was stifling, but the noise was suffocating. 50,000 fans had packed the stands to see their new team for the very first time.
High above the chaos, in the air-conditioned sanctuary of the Star Sports commentary box, the heavyweights of world cricket were settling in.
The cameras rolled. The red light blinked.
Ravi Shastri: "Hello! Namaste! And welcome to the cauldron! If you thought the El Clasico of Mumbai vs Chennai was big, wait until you see this! Two new kids on the block, ready to punch each other in the face! It's Gujarat vs Lucknow! It's Aarav vs Hardik! It is electric!"
Matthew Hayden: "It's a magnificent arena, Ravi. Look at those stands. But the talk of the town isn't the architecture; it's the leadership. You coached both these boys. One is 28, experienced, hungry. The other is 21, rich, and ridiculously talented. Who has the edge?"
Ravi Shastri: (Leaning back, grinning) "Haydos, you can't buy what Aarav has. That temperament? At 21? He just won us a World Cup single-handedly. Hardik is flair. Hardik is energy. But Aarav... Aarav is ice. And in the heat of Lucknow, ice wins."
Gautam Gambhir: (Cutting in, his voice sharp) "Ice doesn't win you games if your tactics are wrong, Ravi. I look at this Gujarat team, and I see a lot of youth. Too much youth. Aarav has picked his friends. Shubman, Abhishek. It's a bold strategy, but is it a winning one? Hardik has KL Rahul in his team. He has Marcus Stoinis. He has Quinton de Kock. That is experienced firepower. Captaincy isn't just about aura; it's about resource management. Hardik has better resources on paper."
Graeme Smith: "That's the key, GG. 'On Paper'. I captained South Africa at 22. People said I was too young. But youth brings fearlessness. Aarav doesn't know he's supposed to lose. He thinks he can win from anywhere. That 227 in the practice match? That wasn't an accident. That was a philosophy."
Ian Bishop: "And let's talk about the philosophy. 'Velocity'. We keep hearing this word from the Gujarat camp. They want to score 220 every game. In Lucknow? On this pitch? It's usually slow, it grips. If Aarav tries to hit through the line here and gets caught at long-on, the critics will be out with knives."
Ravi Shastri: "Bishop, you saw him in Dubai. He hits sixes for fun. The pitch doesn't matter to him. He takes the pitch out of the equation. But Hardik... Hardik has a point to prove. Mumbai let him go. He wants to show the world he is a Alpha. This clash... it's going to be personal."
Gautam Gambhir: "It shouldn't be personal. It should be professional. If Hardik tries to out-bowl or out-bat Aarav just to prove a point, LSG loses. He needs to use his spinners. Ravi Bishnoi vs Aarav Pathak. That is the match-up I want to see. Can the Prince play the googly on a turning track?"
Matthew Hayden: "I'm looking at the footwork. Aarav stays leg-side of the ball, opens up the off-side. Bishnoi brings it in. If he cramps him for room... GG is right. It's a chess match."
TOSS TIME
Time: 7:00 PM.
The camera cut to the center. The spider cam swooped down. Ravi Shastri stood there with the microphone, looking like the ringmaster of a circus.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! It is time for the first-ever toss in the history of this rivalry!"
The crowd roared. It was a deafening sound, amplified by the roof structure of the Ekana.
From one side walked Hardik Pandya. He was wearing the cyan jersey of LSG, gold chains glittering around his neck, sunglasses on even at 7 PM. He looked relaxed, chewing gum, swaggering with that Caribbean flair he adopted.
From the other side walked Aarav Pathak. He wasn't swaggering. He was walking with a rhythmic, predatory grace. The Viv Richards Aura was dialed down to a simmer, but the presence was undeniable. He towered over Hardik.
They met in the middle. Hardik grinned and went for a high-five. Aarav took it, pulling him into a brief, manly hug. "Ready to lose?" Hardik whispered in his ear. "Dream on, Kung Fu," Aarav whispered back.
Match Referee: Daniel Manohar.
Ravi Shastri: "Hardik, you have the coin. Spin it."
Hardik flicked the coin high. It sparkled under the floodlights. "Heads," Aarav called.
The coin hit the turf. Rolling. Settling. Daniel Manohar looked down. "It is Tails."
Shastri: "Hardik Pandya wins the first toss! The crowd loves it! What are you going to do?"
Hardik Pandya: "We are going to bat first, Ravi."
A massive cheer went up.
Hardik: "It looks like a good wicket, but it might slow down later. We want to put runs on the board. In a big game, first game, runs are pressure. We have a strong batting lineup with KL (Rahul) and QDK (de Kock). We want to express ourselves."
Shastri: "Captaincy. How does it feel? The main man."
Hardik: "Feels good. Responsibility is something I enjoy. I've learned from Mahi bhai, from Virat, and from Rohit. Now I want to implement my own style. We want to play aggressive cricket."
Shastri: "Good luck."
Shastri turned to me. "Aarav, lost the toss. Disappointed?"
Aarav: "Not really. We practiced chasing. Our philosophy works both ways. If they set 180, we chase 181. If they set 200, we chase 201. The dew might come in later, which will help us."
Shastri: "Talk about the team. A lot of young faces. Are they ready for this noise?"
Aarav: "They aren't just ready; they are hungry. We have a mix of youth and experience. Rashid is there, Miller is there. But keep an eye on the young guys. Abhishek Sharma is itching to go. We are here to play a brand of cricket that people will remember."
Shastri: "All the best to both of you."
The official photographers asked for a pose with the trophy. Hardik stood next to me. He tried to put his arm around my shoulder for the photo, but because I was taller, he just put around me. I smiled, looking down at him. Hardik laughed, punching me in the ribs playfully. The camera captured it perfectly the camaraderie and the rivalry in one frame.
The Playing XIs flashed on the giant screen and TV monitors worldwide.
LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS (LSG):
KL Rahul (RHB)
Quinton de Kock (WK/LHB) ✈️
Manish Pandey (RHB)
Marcus Stoinis (RHB/Medium) ✈️
Hardik Pandya (C) (RHB/Fast-Medium)
Deepak Hooda (RHB/Off-Spin)
Krunal Pandya (LHB/Left-Arm Spin)
Jason Holder (RHB/Fast-Medium) ✈️
Ravi Bishnoi (Leg Spin)
Avesh Khan (Fast)
Mark Wood (Fast) ✈️
GUJARAT TITANS (GT):
Abhishek Sharma (LHB)
Shubman Gill (RHB)
Aarav Pathak (C) (RHB)
Heinrich Klaasen (WK/RHB) ✈️
David Miller (LHB) ✈️
Rinku Singh (LHB)
Rahul Tewatia (LHB/Leg Spin)
Rashid Khan (Leg Spin) ✈️
Kuldeep Yadav (Left-Arm Wrist Spin)
Arshdeep Singh (Left-Arm Fast)
Josh Hazlewood (Right-Arm Fast) ✈️
Ian Bishop: "Fascinating decision to bat first. Hardik is backing his bowlers to defend, or perhaps he fears the Gujarat chase masterclass we saw in their practice match. But look at that LSG lineup. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock at the top? That is the best opening pair in the tournament on paper."
Graeme Smith: "It is formidable. But look at the Gujarat bowling. Hazlewood, Arshdeep, Rashid, Kuldeep, and Aarav himself. That is five genuine wicket-takers. No weak links. If LSG loses early wickets, that middle order of Hooda and Krunal will be tested."
Gautam Gambhir: "I am looking at the spin battle. Rashid Khan and Kuldeep Yadav vs Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. On this track, spin will win the game. Gujarat has the edge in variety. Kuldeep is a wrist spinner; he can turn it on glass. Krunal is flatter. Aarav has picked a bowling attack for all conditions."
Matthew Hayden: "I want to see Aarav bowl to Hardik. Brother vs Brother. Pace vs Power. Hardik has a fast bat speed, but Aarav... 150 clicks? If he bowls that short ball at Hardik's head, friendships will be tested."
Ravi Shastri: "It's going to be a cracker. The crowd is ready. The players are ready. The Battle of the New Blood is about to begin. Don't blink!"
7:30 PM.
The umpires walked out. I led the Gujarat Titans onto the field for the first time in an official match. We huddled. "Enjoy it," I said to the boys. "This is what we practiced for. Arshdeep with me, new ball. Swing it."
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock walked out. Two giants of the format.
The crowd counted down. 3... 2... 1...
Let's Play.
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We broke the huddle. The crowd roared as KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock walked out. Two of the most destructive openers in T20 cricket.
I took the new ball. The white ball felt smooth and hard in my hand. I handed my Cap to the umpire. I marked my run-up.
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "Here we go! The moment of truth for the Titans. Aarav Pathak has taken the responsibility upon himself. Captain, opening bowler, marquee player. Can he deliver against his former Indian teammate KL Rahul?"
Matthew Hayden (Comms): "It's a massive battle first up. Rahul is technically perfect. Aarav has pace. Watch for the swing in this humid air."
Over 0.1: Aarav Pathak to KL Rahul.
I stood at the top of my mark. I took a deep breath, centering myself. The Captain's Mind strategy overlay flickered in my head. KL plays late. He looks to feel the ball early on. Target the corridor.
I ran in. The rhythm was smooth. The crowd noise faded. 142 kmph. I didn't bowl a warm-up ball. I bowled a Test match delivery. Fullish, around the off-stump channel. It angled in initially, inviting Rahul to play. Rahul came half-forward, his bat close to the pad, looking to defend solidly. But the ball moved late. Just a fraction of movement away.
It kissed something. Click.
It flew low to the right of the wicketkeeper. Heinrich Klaasen dived. He scooped it up inches from the ground.
"HOWZAT!"
I turned and screamed. Klaasen roared. Every Titan went up. The umpire... shook his head. Not Out.
I ran down the pitch. "I heard it! Klaasen heard it!" Klaasen was nodding frantically. "Definitely, Skip! Two noises! Bat and pad maybe, but definitely bat!"
I looked at the timer. 10 seconds. I made the 'T' sign. Review.
Ian Bishop (Comms): "Drama on the very first ball! Gujarat reviews immediately! Aarav looks confident. Rahul looks unsure. Let's go upstairs."
The giant screen lit up. UltraEdge loading... The ball passed the bat. A distinct spike appeared on the waveform just as the ball passed the outside edge.
Third Umpire: "There is a spike. Clear deflection. I have enough to overturn the decision."
The screen flashed OUT.
KL Rahul c Klaasen b Aarav 0 (1)LSG: 0/1
I pumped my fist, screaming at the night sky. The Titans huddled around me. First ball in franchise history. First wicket. And it was the opposition captain.
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "UNBELIEVABLE! SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE! You cannot write a script better than this! The Prince gets the first ball wicket! It was unplayable. Full, late movement, takes the edge. Gujarat Titans have announced their arrival with a bang!"
Gautam Gambhir (Comms): "That is a technical flaw from Rahul exposed early. He pushed at it with hard hands. But credit to Aarav he hit the perfect length straight away. That is a massive blow for Lucknow."
Manish Pandey walked out at Number 3. The crowd was stunned. I went back to my mark. "Squeeze them," I shouted to the fielders. "Slip, Gully, Point stay up!"
Ball 0.2: Good length. Defended. Ball 0.3: Beaten outside off. Ball 0.4: Inswinger. Defended to mid-on. Ball 0.5: Short of length. Defended.
Five dots. The pressure was immense. Ball 0.6: I overpitched slightly, searching for another wicket. Pandey leaned into it. A crisp cover drive. The ball raced away. FOUR.
LSG: 4/1 (1 Over).
Over 2: Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep took the ball from the other end. He was nervous. Quinton de Kock (QDK) was on strike. QDK wasn't interested in rebuilding. He attacked. Ball 2.2: QDK picked the length early and flicked it over square leg for SIX. Ball 2.4: Arshdeep went wide. QDK slashed it over point for FOUR. 12 Runs off the over.
LSG: 16/1.
Over 3: Aarav Pathak. I came back. I needed to pull the length back. Ball 3.1: QDK on strike. I bowled a back-of-length delivery at 149 kmph. QDK was ready. He swiveled and pulled. It wasn't timed perfectly, but it cleared mid-wicket. FOUR.
I didn't panic. I adjusted the field. I moved fine leg back. Ball 3.2: Single to third man. Ball 3.3: Pandey defended. Ball 3.4: Pandey took a single. Ball 3.5: QDK defended. Ball 3.6: Single to cover.
LSG: 23/1.
Over 4: Josh Hazlewood. The big Australian came into the attack. "Hit the deck, Hoff," I said, tossing him the ball. "Hard lengths."
Hazlewood is a metronome. Ball 4.3: He bowled a Test match line to Quinton de Kock. Top of off stump. QDK tried to drive on the up. The ball nipped back slightly off the seam. It went through the gate. BOWLED HIM!
QDK b Hazlewood LSG: 28/2
The Lucknow crowd went silent again. Both openers were back in the hut. Marcus Stoinis walked in. The Hulk.
Over 5: Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep bounced back well. He varied his pace. Stoinis and Pandey played cautiously, rotating the strike. 6 Runs.
Over 6: Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood kept it tight. Stoinis tried to hit him over the top but mistimed it for two. Manish Pandey hit a boundary off the last ball to release some pressure.
End of Powerplay (6 Overs).LSG: 44/2.
The umpire signaled for the Strategic Timeout. I gathered the team. "Great start," I said, wiping sweat. "44 for 2 is brilliant. But Stoinis is dangerous. He hits spin well."
I looked at Rashid Khan. "Rashid, you're on after the break. Manish plays spin well, but he struggles with the googly early on. Attack him."
I looked at Kuldeep Yadav. "KD, you bowl from the other end. Keep it slow. Let the pitch do the work."
Ian Bishop (Comms): "Gujarat Titans have won the first phase. Getting Rahul and QDK inside the Powerplay is gold dust. Aarav Pathak's captaincy has been proactive. He brought Hazlewood on at the right time. Now, how does Hardik Pandya's team respond?"
Graeme Smith (Comms): "The middle overs will decide this. Stoinis and Pandey need to rebuild, but Rashid Khan is lurking. If Gujarat gets one more wicket here, they expose the lower middle order of Hooda and Krunal."
I walked back to my fielding position at mid-off. Hardik Pandya was sitting in the dugout, wearing his pads, looking intense. The battle was just heating up.
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The Powerplay was done. The field spread out like a fan opening. The humidity in Lucknow was increasing, making the ball slippery, but the pitch was starting to show its true colors. It was gripping. It was turning. A traditional Ekana surface.
I stood at mid-off, wiping sweat from my forehead. The first phase belonged to us—Rahul and De Kock back in the hut. Now, it was time to squeeze the life out of the innings.
"Rashid," I threw the ball to the magician. "Your stage. Control the pace. Don't let them breathe."
Over 7: Rashid Khan.Batters: Manish Pandey & Marcus Stoinis.
The batsmen were set, but the low score in the Powerplay had created a vacuum of pressure. They wanted to attack, but against Rashid Khan fresh into the attack, self-preservation kicked in.
Ian Bishop (Comms): "Here comes the wizard. Rashid Khan immediately after the Powerplay. Aarav wants to break the back of this innings right now."
Matthew Hayden (Comms): "Stoinis against Rashid is a fascinating matchup. Stoinis loves pace on the ball, loves to hit through the line. Rashid bowls it at 95kmph, but it spins. Look at his grip; he's holding it back slightly to get that extra bite."
Ball 1-3: Rashid bowled flat and fast. Pandey and Stoinis played him with absolute respect, pushing to long-on and deep mid-wicket for singles. They weren't taking risks. Ball 4-6: Rashid tried to tempt Stoinis with a flighted one, but Stoinis defended on the back foot. Runs: 6 (All singles). Score: 50/2.
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "That is a quiet start, but exactly what Gujarat wanted. 6 runs, no boundaries. The run rate is too low, even in the first innings. 50 on the board."
Over 8: Kuldeep Yadav. This was the moment of truth. Kuldeep Yadav, the chinaman bowler whose confidence had been shattered in previous seasons with KKR, was marking his run-up.
Aarav walked up to him. He activated the Captain's Mind. Analysis: Pitch is holding. Stoinis pushes hard at the ball early in his innings. The edges are in play.
He signaled to the slip cordon. "One slip," he shouted. "Short third man fine." he brought long-on up inside the circle. I was daring them to hit over the top against the spin.
Gautam Gambhir (Comms): "I love this field placement. Look at that slip for a spinner in the 8th over! That is aggressive captaincy. Aarav is telling Kuldeep, 'I back you to take wickets, not just save runs.' Kuldeep needs this. He was dropped by KKR, his confidence was low. He needs to feel that his captain trusts him."
Ball 1: Kuldeep started nervously. A wide down the leg side. Ball 2: Another wide outside off. Nerves. I clapped. "It's okay, KD! Spin it! Let it rip!"
Ball 3: Kuldeep found his length. Flighted, dipping on middle. Pandey stepped out but was beaten in flight. He adjusted late, pushing it to cover.
In the over, batsman rotated strike, wary of the slip fielder Aarav had placed. Stoinis looked at the gap at mid-wicket but didn't commit. Runs: 8 (including 2 wides). Score: 58/2.
Ian Bishop (Comms): "A nervous start with the wides, but he settled well. 58 for 2. Lucknow needs a big over soon. They can't just noodle it around."
Over 9: Rashid Khan. Manish Pandey decided enough was enough. He was the set batter. He needed to take the pressure off Stoinis.
Ball 2: Rashid bowled a length ball, slightly fuller. Pandey picked it early. He didn't slog; he extended his arms and lofted it high over long-on. SIX.
Matthew Hayden (Comms): "That's a release shot! High and handsome! Pandey takes the attack to the best bowler. That takes guts."
Rashid didn't flinch. He adjusted his length immediately, pulling it back, bowling faster. The rest of the over was tight singles. Runs: 10. Score: 68/2.
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "A much-needed over for LSG. 10 runs. The run rate touches 7.5. This game is balancing on a knife-edge. Aarav needs to be careful here; if these two settle, they can explode."
Over 10: Kuldeep Yadav. Stoinis, the Hulk, decided it was his turn. He saw Kuldeep flighting the ball.
Ball 1: Stoinis rocked back. He muscled a short ball through mid-wicket. FOUR.Ball 3: Kuldeep went full. Stoinis cleared his front leg and hammered it straight back past the bowler. FOUR.
Runs: 10. Score: 78/2.
Gautam Gambhir (Comms): "Stoinis is flexing his muscles now. Two boundaries in the over. Kuldeep is trying to toss it up, which is brave, but on this ground with these powerful hitters, if you miss your length, you travel. 78 for 2 at the halfway mark. Lucknow has recovered well."
LSG: 78/2 (10 Overs).
The batsmen were set. They had figured out the pace of the spinners. They were rocking back and waiting for the turn. My Captain's Mind flashed a warning. Rhythm established. Break the pattern.
Usually, you keep spinners on. But I looked at Arshdeep Singh. He was warming up.
"Arshdeep!" I called.
Matthew Hayden (Comms): "Wait a minute. Aarav is taking the spinners off? After a decent spell? He's bringing a pacer back in the 11th over? That is... unconventional. Usually, you save Arshdeep for the death overs to bowl yorkers."
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "It's a disruption tactic, Haydos. Stoinis and Pandey have adjusted their footwork for spin—playing late, waiting for the ball. Suddenly, you bring in a left-arm seamer bowling 135kmph across the angle. You mess with their rhythm. It's smart captaincy."
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Ball 1: Arshdeep bowled a length ball. Stoinis was waiting. He smashed it through covers. FOUR. "Don't worry," I shouted to Arshdeep, running to him. "He's hitting through the line. Bowl fuller. Look for the inswing. Make him drive."
Ball 2: Dot. Fuller. Stoinis mistimed to mid-off.
Ball 3: Dot. Angling across.
Ball 4: Arshdeep listened. He went full, shaping back in. Stoinis went for the booming drive again, leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball took the inside edge. Clatter. The leg stump was uprooted.
Marcus Stoinis b Arshdeep 38LSG: 84/3.
Graeme Smith (Comms): "And the move pays off! Captaincy brilliance! Arshdeep comes back and picks up the set batter immediately. The change of pace completely foxed Stoinis. Gujarat breaks the stand! That wicket belongs to Aarav Pathak as much as Arshdeep."
Deepak Hooda walked out. The new man. He looked aggressive.
Ball 5: Arshdeep missed his length. Slot ball. Hooda didn't wait. He launched it over long-on for SIX first ball.
Runs: 12. Score: 90/3.
Over 12: Rashid Khan. I brought Rashid back immediately from the other end. Batters: Pandey & Hooda.
Rashid vs two right-handers. He was impeccable. He bowled five googlies in six balls. Pandey and Hooda could only manage singles. Runs: 5. Score: 95/3.
Over 13: Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep's second last over. He was desperate for a wicket. Manish Pandey was on 48. He wanted his fifty. Ball 1: Six over mid-wicket. Pandey reached his half-century in style. Ball 3: Four through covers. Runs: 11. Score: 106/3.
Gautam Gambhir (Comms): "Kuldeep is tossing it up, which is brave, but on this ground with short square boundaries, it's risky. Pandey has read him well today. Gujarat needs a wicket or Lucknow is looking at 170."
Over 14: Rashid Khan. Rashid's last over. Deepak Hooda was looking dangerous. Ball 3: Hooda tried to attack. He stepped out to Rashid. Rashid saw him coming. He shortened the length and bowled the slider faster, skidding on. Hooda was beaten in flight. He tried to adjust, but the ball stayed low. It crashed into the middle stump.
Deepak Hooda b Rashid110/4.
Ian Bishop (Comms): "The Magician finishes with a bang! Rashid Khan gets the breakthrough! Hooda was looking to explode, but you don't step out blindly to Rashid Khan. He finishes his spell Gold dust in T20."
Hardik Pandya walked out. The Captain. The ex-Mumbai Indian. The crowd roared. But Hardik looked serious. He was walking into a crisis.
Over 15: Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep's last over. I walked up to him. "Finish strong, KD. You bowled well. The wicket is coming."
Manish Pandey was on 60. He was set. Ball 4: Pandey stepped out. He wanted to hit Kuldeep over long-on. But Kuldeep had seen this movie before. He tossed it up wider. He slowed it down significantly. 78 kmph. Pandey reached for it. He was nowhere near the pitch of the ball. He sliced it. The ball went high towards deep cover. Shubman Gill ran in, settled under it, and took a safe catch.
Manish Pandey c Gill b Kuldeep 60LSG: 118/5.
Ravi Shastri (Comms): "And there is the redemption! Kuldeep Yadav gets the big fish! He was hit for runs, but he didn't stop flighting the ball. That takes courage. Aarav kept the slip in, kept the field up, encouraged him, and now they have the set batter. Lucknow has lost their way here!"
Krunal Pandya walked out. The brothers were at the crease. Hardik and Krunal.
End of 15 Overs.LSG: 118/5.
Strategic Timeout.
The umpire signaled the break. The Gujarat Titans huddled. We were buzzing.
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I don't know why but while writing this was too difficult for me to write. If there is any error, tell me. I would improve this in future for sure, but don't know, why but writing this, I was not in rhythm.
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Tomorrow No Chapter, Sunday is a Holiday! 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
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Author's Note: - 6600+ Words
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