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The sun had begun its descent, casting long, dramatic shadows across the Queen's Park Oval. The scoreboard was a monolith of intimidation: 360 to win. It required a record chase. It required a miracle.
Aarav Pathak, fresh from his century, gathered his team in a huddle near the boundary rope. The adrenaline was still pumping, but now he had to channel it into leadership.
"Listen up," Aarav said, his voice cutting through the noise of the DJ. "360 is a lot. But in the Caribbean, if they get a start, the crowd gets behind them, and the wind carries the ball. We don't relax. We hunt. Arsh, take the new ball from the Pavilion End. I'll take the Media End."
He looked at his debutant pacer. "Arshdeep, welcome to ODIs. Don't try to be fancy. Just swing it."
Shai Hope and Kyle Mayers walked out. They looked determined, but the weight of the target was visible in their body language.
Over 1: Aarav Pathak to Shai Hope
Ravi Shastri: "Here we go. The Captain takes the responsibility. Aarav Pathak with the new ball. He scored 118 with the bat; now he wants to finish it with the ball. Slip, gully, leg slip. Attacking fields."
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. He didn't need a sighter. 149 kmph. He angled it into Shai Hope's pads. Hope tried to flick but was rushed. Thud on the pad. Stifled appeal. Going down leg. Dot.
Ball 2: Aarav went wider. Outswinger. Hope left it alone. Dot.
Ball 3: Aarav shortened the length. A heavy ball that hit the splice of the bat. Hope defended awkwardly, the bat jarring in his hands. Aarav walked down the pitch, staring at the batsman.
Ball 4-6: Three consecutive dot balls. Aarav hit the channel relentlessly. Maiden Over.
Ian Bishop: "That is a statement. A maiden to start the defense of 360. He has set the tone immediately. No freebies."
Over 2: Arshdeep Singh to Kyle Mayers
Arshdeep, the debutant, ran in. He swung the ball both ways. Mayers managed a single, but the start was suffocating.
Over 5: Aarav Pathak to Kyle Mayers
Mayers (12) decided he couldn't block anymore. He saw Aarav run in. Ball 3: Mayers stepped out, trying to loft Aarav over covers. Aarav saw the movement. He banged it in short. 151 kmph. It got big on Mayers. He was caught in no man's land too late to pull, too committed to leave. The ball kissed the glove. Ishan Kishan jumped high to his left and plucked it.
Samuel Badree: "Got him! The pressure tells! Aarav Pathak gets the first breakthrough! Mayers tries to manufacture a shot against pace and pays the price. The Captain leads from the front!"
Kyle Mayers c Kishan b Aarav 12 (15)Score: WI 22/1
Over 9: The score was 45/1. Shai Hope and Shamarh Brooks were trying to rebuild. Aarav decided to make a change. He took himself off (Figures: 4-1-12-1) and brought on Mohammed Siraj.
Aarav: "Miyan, cross-seam. Hit the deck. The ball is stopping a bit."
Siraj nodded. He ran in with his infectious energy. Ball 4: Siraj bowled a wobble-seam delivery that nipped back in. Brooks tried to drive through the line. Inside edge. onto the stumps. BOWLED!
Ravi Shastri: "Instant impact! Siraj comes into the attack and disturbs the timber! The bowling change works like magic. Aarav Pathak has the Midas touch today!"
Shamarh Brooks b Siraj 15 (18)Score: WI 48/2
As the Powerplay ended, Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King tried to counter-attack. They hit a few boundaries, taking the score past 100. Aarav brought on Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Setup for Pooran Aarav moved slip to a wider gully. He brought long-off up. He whispered to Chahal. "Bowl wide. Make him reach. He'll slice it."
Over 18: Chahal to Nicholas Pooran Chahal tossed it up, way outside off. A floating leg-break. Pooran's eyes lit up. He went for the expansive cover drive. He reached for it. The ball turned away further. He sliced it. The ball flew to the exact position Aarav had just reinforced backward point. Shardul Thakur took a simple catch.
Ian Bishop: "Oh, that is tactically brilliant! He set the field for the slice, Chahal bowled to the field, and the West Indies captain falls into the trap! Aarav Pathak is outsmarting them!"
Nicholas Pooran c Thakur b Chahal 24 (20)
The Collapse Chahal wasn't done.
Over 22: He trapped Rovman Powell LBW with a slider.
Over 24: He had Brandon King stumped by Ishan Kishan with a classic googly.
West Indies slumped from 110/2 to 145/5. The chase was disintegrating.
West Indies was 180/6 in 32 overs. The game was drifting. Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein were digging in. Aarav decided to end the resistance. He brought himself back.
Over 33: Aarav Pathak to Jason Holder
Ball 2: Aarav ran in. 123 kmph. He aimed a yorker at the tall Jason Holder. Holder brought his bat down. The ball reversed slightly. It beat the bat. It smashed into the toe. LBW. Plumb. Holder didn't even review.
Ball 5:Akeal Hosein on strike. Aarav bowled a bouncer. Hosein hooked blindly. Top edge. Deepak Hooda at fine leg settled under it.
Aarav Pathak: 3 Wickets. Score: WI 192/8.
The end was near. Arshdeep Singh came back to bowl at the tailenders. He had gone wicketless in his first spell but bowled tight. Aarav walked up to him. "You deserve a wicket, Arsh. Yorker. Base of the stumps."
Over 41: Arshdeep Singh
Ball 1: To Alzarri Joseph. Arshdeep bowled the perfect yorker. Tailored in. Joseph missed. The leg stump was uprooted. First ODI Wicket for Arshdeep Singh! He roared, pumping his fists. Aarav hugged him.
Ball 4: Last man Jayden Seales. Arshdeep went round the wicket. Another yorker. Seales dug it but the ball connected to the edge of the bat and flew in the air and Aarav caught it.
Final Score: West Indies 205 All Out (40.4 Overs) Result: India won by 154 Runs.
The moment Aarav took the final catch, he didn't run wild. He just smiled and threw the ball to Arshdeep. "Keep it," Aarav said. "First wicket ball."
The team huddled around their young captain. Shreyas Iyer, Gill, Ishan they were all jumping. It was a comprehensive demolition. A 154-run victory in the first game of the series.
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The giant floodlights bathed the Queen's Park Oval in artificial daylight, but the energy radiating from the Indian dugout needed no illumination. It was electric. A 154-run victory in foreign conditions with a young squad was the perfect start to the Aarav Pathak Era.
Arshdeep Singh, clutching the match ball Aarav had gifted him, was walking with a grin so wide it threatened to split his face. Shubman Gill, the centurion, had his arm draped around Ishan Kishan, laughing about something.
Ian Bishop stood ready at the podium, the cool Caribbean breeze rustling his notes.
Ian Bishop: "Ladies and Gentlemen, what a start to the ODI series. A dominant display by the visitors. First, let's hear from the West Indies captain, Nicholas Pooran."
Pooran walked up, looking disappointed but composed. Pooran: "Yeah, tough day at the office. We thought chasing was the right call, but 359 is a mountain on any pitch. We leaked too many runs in the middle overs. Aarav and Gill batted us out of the game. We need to regroup for Sunday."
Ian Bishop: "I want to bring in a young man who had a special day. On debut, taking 2 wickets and closing out the game. Arshdeep Singh."
Arshdeep jogged up, looking slightly nervous in front of the microphone.
Bishop: "Arshdeep, welcome to international cricket. First game, big win. How are the nerves?" Arshdeep: "Thank you, Sir. Nerves were there in the morning, but once I got the cap from Captain, I felt ready. The seniors well, my friends backed me. I just wanted to stick to my plans."
Bishop: "That yorker to get your first wicket. Was that the plan?"
Arshdeep: "Yes. Aarav came to me and said, 'Don't try the slower one yet. Just nail the yorker at the leg stump.' It worked perfectly. I'm going to frame this ball."
Ian Bishop: "Next up, a man who played a sublime innings. His maiden ODI century, setting the platform. Shubman Gill."
Gill walked up, looking elegant even in his sweaty match kit.
Bishop: "Shubman, 102 runs. The first one is always special. Talk us through the emotions."
Gill: "It's been a long time coming, honestly. I've gotten starts but couldn't convert. Today, the wicket was good, and Ishan gave us a flyer. I just wanted to bat deep."
Bishop: "You and Aarav seem to have a telepathic connection out there. You celebrated your hundred together."
Gill (Smiling): "Yeah, we've played together since U-19 days. He's like a brother. When he walked out after Ishan's wicket, he just told me, 'It's your day, I'll play second fiddle.' Having him at the other end calms you down. Even if he is the Captain now, he's still just Aarav to me."
Ian Bishop: "And finally, the Player of the Match and the winning Captain. A century, 3 wickets, tactical brilliance, and a catch to finish it off. Aarav Pathak."
The roar from the stands was deafening. Aarav walked up, accepting the trophy with a humble nod.
Ian Bishop: "Aarav, where do I start? Captaincy debut. 118 runs. 3 wickets. A 154-run win. Did you write this script yourself?"
Aarav (Laughing): "I wish I could write scripts like this every day, Ian! But no, it's all about the team. I was nervous walking out at the toss, I won't lie. But once we started, the instincts took over."
Bishop: "Let's talk about the batting first. You came in at, 119/1, but you absorbed the pressure and then exploded."
Aarav: "Yeah, Ishan was unfortunate to get run out. Gill was batting beautifully, so my job was to rotate strike. Once I got my eye in, I realized the wicket was true. I backed my shots. The three sixes against Shepherd... that was just 'see ball, hit ball'. Needed to push the score past 350."
Bishop: "And the bowling? You opened the bowling, then came back in the middle to break partnerships, and picked up 3 wickets. Managing the workload?"
Aarav: "I love being in the game. If I see a partnership building, I want to break it. The ball was reversing a bit, so I brought myself on. Getting Holder was crucial. But credit to the spinners Chahal and Axar they choked the runs in the middle. That made my job easy."
Bishop: "You gave the new ball to Arshdeep on debut from one end. That shows a lot of trust." Aarav: "I've seen Arshdeep bowl in the IPL. I know he has the heart for the big stage. I told him, 'This is your stage, own it.' And he did. Cleaning up the tail with yorkers... that's a captain's dream."
Bishop: "Final question. Leading this young side. No Kohli, No Rohit. How does it feel to start with such a comprehensive win?"
Aarav: "It gives us belief. We know we are young, but we are hungry. We want to carry and maintain the team legacy while the senior's rest. This win is for the fans back home who stayed up late to watch us. We celebrate tonight, but the series isn't over. We go again on Sunday."
Ian Bishop: "Congratulations, Aarav. Go join your team."
Shubman Gill jumped on Aarav's back as the BCCI photographer clicked the picture. Ishan Kishan was making bunny ears behind Chahal. Siraj was roaring.
It was a perfect picture of "Young India"—vibrant, talented, and led by a Captain who led from the front in every sense of the word.
Back in the dressing room, the mood was euphoric. Rahul Dravid gave a short speech. "Clinical. That's the word. Batting, bowling, fielding. You guys were clinical. Enjoy the night."
Aarav sat in his corner, icing his shoulder. Gill sat next to him.
"You stole my award," Gill joked, nudging him. "You got the hundred, I got the metal," Aarav smirked. "Fair trade. Next time, take 3 wickets."
Arshdeep walked by, still holding the match ball. "Paaji, dinner on me?" "Dinner on you," Aarav confirmed. "But no seafood. I've had enough fish for a lifetime in England. We find Indian food."
As the team packed up, Aarav checked his phone. A message from Shradha. "Captain Fantastic. ❤️ Proud of you. Now go sleep before you collapse."
Aarav smiled. The Captaincy era had begun with a bang.
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The post-match adrenaline was slowly ebbing away, leaving behind a pleasant, humming exhaustion in Aarav's bones. He had showered, scrubbing off the sweat and the champagne (mostly sparkling water, but sticky nonetheless) of the victory celebration. He wore a fresh grey t-shirt and shorts, sitting on the balcony of his suite at the Hyatt Regency.
Below him, the Gulf of Paria shimmered under the moonlight. The Caribbean night was alive with the distant sound of steel drums and the rhythm of waves. It was 9:30 PM here.
But in Mumbai, the sun was just breaking the horizon.
Aarav propped his iPad on the table, leaning back with a bottle of water. He dialed the number that was pinned to the top of his favorites.
Connecting...
The screen flickered, pixels rearranging themselves until a face appeared. Shradha.
She was sitting on the terrace of the Tendulkar residence in Bandra. behind her, the Mumbai sky was a palette of soft pinks and oranges, the Arabian Sea waking up in the distance. The morning breeze messed with her hair, which was loose and messy. She held a steaming mug of coffee in both hands, wearing a comfortable oversized sweater against the monsoon chill.
"Good morning, Sunshine," Aarav whispered, his voice warm.
"Good night, Captain," she smiled, her eyes crinkling. The screen brightness lit up her face. "You look tired. But happy."
"I am," Aarav admitted, stretching his arms. "It was a good day. A very good day."
"A 'good day'?" Shradha raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her coffee. "Aarav, you scored a century on captaincy debut, took three wickets, and won by 150 runs. That's not a good day; that's a fairy tale."
Aarav chuckled. "Okay, fine. It was a great day. But the best part is seeing you now. How is Mumbai?"
"Wet. Windy. Beautiful," she said, turning the camera slightly to show the sea link in the distance. "I woke up early just to catch you before you crashed. Dad has been pacing the living room since 5 AM re-watching the highlights."
"Of course he is," Aarav shook his head affectionately. "Is he critiquing my cover drive?"
"No," she giggled. "He's analyzing your field placement for Pooran. He said, 'That was a chess move, not cricket'. He's very proud, Aarav."
Aarav felt a warmth spread through his chest that had nothing to do with the humid Trinidad air. "That means the world. I missed you guys today. Standing there at the toss... I looked at the VIP box instinctively, expecting to see you."
"I was there," Shradha touched her chest. "In spirit. And on the TV. We screamed so loud when you hit those three sixes that the neighbors probably called the police."
They fell into a comfortable silence, just looking at each other across the thousands of miles. The contrast was stark—Aarav in the dark Caribbean night, Shradha in the bright Indian morning—yet the connection was seamless.
"You look beautiful," Aarav said suddenly, his voice dropping an octave.
Shradha blushed, hiding her face behind the mug. "I just woke up. I have sleep lines on my face."
"Best kind of lines," he countered. "I wish I was there. To drink that coffee with you."
"Soon," she promised. "Finish the series. Bring the trophy. Then coffee."
"Shradha! Is that Aarav?"
A booming voice came from the background on Shradha's side. Shradha rolled her eyes playfully. "Busted. Dad is here."
She turned the camera. Sachin Tendulkar walked onto the terrace, wearing his morning workout gear, looking energetic. Behind him, Anjali Tendulkar followed with a tray of tea.
"Dad!" Aarav sat up straight, instinctively fixing his hair. "Good morning."
"Morning, Captain!" Sachin beamed, waving at the screen. He pulled a chair next to Shradha. "What a match, son! What a match! That knock... the pacing was perfect. You absorbed the pressure when Ishan got out, and then... boom!"
"Thank you, Dad," Aarav smiled. "The pitch was a bit tacky early on. Needed to respect it."
"And the bowling changes," Sachin continued, his cricketing brain in overdrive. "Bringing Chahal on for the middle overs was standard, but setting that trap for Pooran? Wide outside off? That was brilliant. Reminded me of how we used to plan for Lara."
"I learned from the best," Aarav said humbly. "Just trying to apply what we discuss at the dinner table."
Anjali leaned into the frame, pushing Sachin slightly aside. "Enough cricket talk, Sachin. Let me see him. Hello, Aarav beta."
"Hi Mom," Aarav's face softened. "How are you?"
"I am fine. But look at you," Anjali squinted at the screen. "You have dark circles. And you look thinner than last week. Are you eating? Are they giving you proper Indian food there?"
Aarav laughed. "Mom, I just ate a massive dinner. Chicken, rice, dal. The hotel chef is Indian. Don't worry."
"Make sure you hydrate," Anjali instructed. "It's humid there. Coconut water. Every day."
"Yes, Mom. Coconut water. Gallons of it."
"Wait," Shradha said, looking at her phone notifications. "Sara is texting me. She wants to join. Is Shubman awake?"
Aarav looked at the door of his room. "He's probably in his room playing FIFA. Let me call him."
Aarav grabbed his room phone and dialed 504. "Gill. Come to my room. Now. Family meeting."
"On my way, Skipper."
Thirty seconds later, the door chime rang. Aarav let Shubman Gill in. Gill was wearing a hoodie and shorts, looking fresh from a shower.
"Where are they?" Gill asked, looking at the iPad.
Aarav pointed. Gill squeezed onto the sofa next to Aarav. "Good morning, Dad! Good morning, Mom!"
"Congratulations, Shubman!" Sachin clapped. "Maiden Century! Finally! That back-foot punch was exquisite."
"Thank you, Dad!" Gill beamed, his chest swelling with pride. "Just trying to follow the process."
On the screen, Shradha tapped a button. "Adding Sara."
The screen split. Sara Tendulkar appeared. She was in her room, sitting on her bed, wearing pajamas.
"Shubman!" Sara squealed. "You did it! 100!"
"For you," Gill grinned, blowing a kiss to the camera, completely ignoring the fact that her father was watching in the other window.
Sachin cleared his throat loudly. "Hm-mm."
Gill froze. "Uh... and for the team! And for the country! Obviously!"
The whole group erupted in laughter.
For the next twenty minutes, the distance melted away. It was a digital breakfast table.
Sachin asked Gill about the bounce on the pitch.
Anjali scolded Gill for his run-out mix-up with Ishan ("You have to call louder, beta!").
Sara showed them the newspaper headlines from Mumbai
Shradha teased Aarav about his 'serious face' during the toss.
"Where is Arjun?" Aarav asked.
"NCA," Anjali sighed. "Bengaluru. They have a strict camp. No phones allowed after 10 PM. He texted earlier though. He said, 'Tell Aarav to stop hitting sixes out of the ground, he's making us fast bowlers look bad'."
Aarav laughed. "Tell him to bowl better yorkers then."
It was chaotic, loud, and full of love. The Tendulkar household in Mumbai and the two young stars in Trinidad. It was a family bound not just by cricket, but by genuine affection.
Eventually, the sun rose higher in Mumbai. "Okay," Sachin stood up. "I have to get ready. Aarav, Shubman... rest well. You have a series to win. Don't get complacent."
"We won't, Dad," Aarav promised.
"Bye Mom! Bye Sir!" Gill waved.
"Bye kids," Anjali waved. "Love you both."
Sachin and Anjali left the terrace. Sara lingered for a moment. "Call me later?" she asked Gill. "In ten minutes," Gill promised. "I'll go to my room."
"Okay. Bye Aarav! Good captaincy!" Sara waved and disconnected.
Shubman stood up, stretching. "Okay, Skipper. I know when I'm the third wheel. I'm leaving."
"Good choice," Aarav smirked. "Close the door on your way out."
"Enjoy the sunrise... or moon... whatever it is," Gill laughed, walking out.
And then, it was just the two of them again. Aarav on the balcony, Shradha on the terrace. The noise died down. The intimacy returned.
"They are happy," Shradha said softly, looking at the empty chair where her father sat. "Dad really loves you guys."
"We love him too," Aarav said. "It's surreal sometimes. Sitting here, talking to the God of Cricket like he's... just Dad."
"To us, he is," she smiled.
Aarav leaned closer to the screen. "I wish I could teleport."
"To Mumbai?"
"To that terrace. Right next to you."
Shradha rested her cheek on her knee. "The view is nice here. But it's missing the Captain."
"few more matches," Aarav said. "Then the T20s. Then home."
"I'll count the days," she whispered.
Aarav yawned, the fatigue finally winning the battle. "Go to sleep, Aarav," Shradha said gently. "You're fading."
"Just watching you," he mumbled, his eyes heavy. "Best view in the world."
"Flatterer," she smiled. "Sleep. I'll stay on the line until you do."
"Okay."
Aarav walked back into the room, placing the iPad on the bedside table. He crawled under the sheets, keeping the screen visible. Shradha watched him settle in. "Goodnight, my love," she whispered.
"Good morning, my life," Aarav replied, his voice trailing off.
Within moments, his breathing evened out. Shradha watched him sleep for a minute, the morning sun of Mumbai illuminating her smile, while the Caribbean moon watched over him. She blew a silent kiss and tapped the red button.
Call Ended.
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The euphoria of the first win had barely settled when the teams walked out for the second ODI. With the series on the line, Nicholas Pooran's West Indies came out swinging. They were hurt, they were cornered, and they played like it.
The West Indies Assault Batting first, the hosts put up a formidable 311/6. Shai Hope played a masterclass century (115), anchoring the innings, while Nicholas Pooran unleashed carnage in the death overs with a 70-run blitz. The Indian bowlers, usually disciplined, were put to the sword. Even Aarav Pathak went for 60 runs in his 9 overs, though he picked up two crucial wickets (Hope and Mayers).
The Chase:
Chasing 312, India stumbled. Shubman Gill fell early for 43, looking good but throwing it away. Suryakumar Yadav departed cheaply. When Aarav Pathak was trapped LBW for 25 by Alzarri Joseph, the stadium fell silent. The score was 140/4, and the required rate was climbing past 8.
Shreyas Iyer stood tall amidst the ruins. He played a responsible, gritty knock of 63, keeping India in the hunt, but when he fell in the 42nd over, India still needed 100 runs from 48 balls with only the lower order left.
Enter Axar Patel. Usually known for his tight bowling, Axar decided this was the day he would become a batting hero. He joined Deepak Hooda (who played a brilliant cameo of 54) and then took charge with the tail.
What followed was mayhem. Axar didn't just hit; he dismantled the West Indies attack. He targeted the short boundary, slog-sweeping Akeal Hosein and driving Alzarri Joseph on the up.
The Equation: 6 runs needed off 3 balls. Kyle Mayers to Axar. Axar stepped out. He hammered a full toss straight down the ground. SIX!
He roared, punching the air. He had scored 64 off just 35 balls*. A match-winning, series-defining knock. India won by 2 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Series: 2-0.
Aarav hugged Axar so hard he lifted him off the ground. "Bapu! You are a magician!" Aarav screamed. "That was the best finish I have ever seen!" Axar grinned, wiping sweat. "Just saw the ball, hit the ball, Skipper."
With the series in the bag, the pressure was off. But Aarav Pathak, the "Prince" of Indian cricket, had a rule: We don't play dead rubbers. We play for domination.
The rain threatened all day, reducing the match to 36 overs per side initially (later adjusted via DLS). Aarav won the toss and elected to bat first.
The openers, Gill and Ishan, gave a blazing start. Shubman Gill looked sublime, scoring a rapid 98* (stranded due to rain interruption).
But the cameo of the day belonged to the Captain. Aarav Pathak walked in at Number 3. He wasn't in a mood to defend. He took on Jason Holder, pulling him for two massive sixes onto the pavilion roof. He drove Jayden Seales through covers with that signature arrogant elegance.
He raced to 50 off 34 balls. He eventually fell for 58, trying to accelerate further before the rain arrived, but the damage was done. India posted a mammoth 257/3 in their allotted 36 overs.
Chasing a DLS adjusted target of 257 in 35 overs (effectively 7.3 RPO), West Indies crumbled. Mohammed Siraj swung the new ball viciously, taking two wickets in the first over. Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web, picking up 4 wickets. Aarav Pathak bowled a sharp spell , picking up Nicholas Pooran with a nasty bouncer that the WI captain gloved to the keeper.
West Indies were bowled out for 137. Result: India won by 119 runs (DLS Method). Series Result: India won 3-0.
The Queen's Park Oval was bathed in floodlights. Shubman Gill was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 98.
Then came the big one.
Ian Bishop: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Player of the Series. For leading from the front, scoring a century in the first game, a fifty in the third, and picking up 8 wickets across the series... The Captain, Aarav Pathak!"
The roar was deafening. Aarav walked up, looking calm, almost regal. The 'Prince' title wasn't just hype; he carried himself with that aura.
Ian Bishop: "Aarav, 3-0. First series as Captain. A whitewash in the Caribbean. You must be over the moon."
Aarav: "I am, Ian. This team... they are special. Look at the second game. We were down and out. But Axar stood up. Look at today. Gill missed his hundred, but he played for the team. Everyone contributed. My job was just to steer the ship. The boys provided the engine."
Ian Bishop: "You contributed plenty yourself. A hundred, a fifty, crucial wickets. You seem to enjoy the extra responsibility."
Aarav (Smiling): "I love it. Representing India is the ultimate honor. Leading it is a dream. I just want to keep winning."
Ian Bishop: "Here is the trophy. The series is yours."
Aarav took the silver cup. It was heavy with history. He walked back to his team. He didn't lift it immediately. He looked for the youngest member who hadn't held a trophy yet—Arshdeep Singh again, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
He handed the trophy to them. Then, he stepped back to the side, clapping as the team erupted.
"CHAMPIONS!"
Confetti cannons fired. Champagne (sparkling water) sprayed. Shubman Gill ran over to Aarav, hugging him. "3-0, Skipper! We did it!"
Aarav hugged him back. "We did, brother."
As the team posed for the final photo, Aarav stood slightly to the side, arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face. He wasn't just a player anymore. He was the leader. The Prince had become the King of the Caribbean.
Final Series Stats for Aarav Pathak:
Runs: 193 (Avg: 64.33)
Wickets: 8
Captaincy Record: 100% Win.
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