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The tearful goodbye at Farnborough Airport still lingered in Aarav's mind, but the relentless, unapologetic calendar of international cricket demanded his absolute focus. From the cold, romantic drizzle of London, Aarav had flown straight into the sweltering, rhythmic heat of the Caribbean.
The tour was a multi-format grind, structured uniquely due to the impending 2023 ODI World Cup.
The two-match Test series had started with a surprise. Virat Kohli, managing his workload after a grueling European summer, had taken a breather for the first Test in Dominica, leaving the leadership to Vice-Captain Aarav Pathak and the senior pros. But the King had returned for the second Test in Trinidad, scoring a majestic 121 to help India seal the red-ball series 2-0.
Then came the ODI series. With the World Cup just months away, the BCCI took no chances. Every single senior player—Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami—flew in. It was a full-strength dress rehearsal. India was clinical, sweeping the ODIs 3-0, with Aarav and Rohit absolutely dominating the West Indian pace attack.
But as the white-ball focus shifted to the five-match T20I series, the mass exodus began. Rohit, Virat, Bumrah, and Shami packed their bags, heading back to India for a customized conditioning camp.
The reins of the T20I squad were officially handed to the 22-year-old Vice-Captain. Aarav Pathak was now the Captain of a vibrant, aggressive, and incredibly youthful 'Team India'.
The T20I Squad: Aarav Pathak (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and a raw, terrifying new addition—Umran Malik.
After wrapping up the first three T20Is in the Caribbean with a 2-1 lead, the teams boarded a short charter flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
Their destination: Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida.
For decades, the United States of America had been the final frontier for cricket—a massive, untapped commercial and sporting goldmine. With the ICC aggressively pushing for global expansion and the 2024 T20 World Cup slated to be co-hosted by the USA, these final two T20Is in Florida were more than just bilateral matches. They were a statement of intent.
As the Indian team bus pulled up to the stadium in Lauderhill, the players peered out the windows in surprise.
"Look at that," Ishan Kishan pointed at the open grass banks and bleachers. "It actually looks like a proper cricket stadium. I thought we'd be playing in a baseball park."
Suryakumar Yadav chuckled, putting on his sunglasses. "The heat is the same as Mumbai, though. Ninety percent humidity. The ball is going to fly here."
Aarav, sitting in the front, was looking at the fans gathering outside the perimeter. Thanks to the aggressive, multi-million dollar global marketing campaigns run by his own streaming platform, VEO, cricket wasn't entirely alien to the American youth anymore. The viral 'Wickets & Wankers' reality show and the aggressive push of IPL highlights had created a buzz.
While the stadium wasn't a 100,000-seater coliseum, it held about 20,000 people. And today, it was 70% packed. It was a fascinating demographic mix. There were Indian NRIs draped in blue, Caribbean expats waving maroon flags, but surprisingly, there was a healthy contingent of curious, neutral American locals who had bought tickets just to see the spectacle.
And the man they had come to see was plastered on VEO billboards across Miami: Aarav Pathak. To the American audience, obsessed with fastballs and home runs, a 22-year-old billionaire who threw a rock-hard leather ball at 95 mph and hit the ball out of the stadium was the ultimate sporting attraction.
Match 4: The Debut of the Jammu Express
Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere was relaxed but focused. Aarav stood in the center, holding a pristine blue India cap.
Standing in front of him, looking incredibly nervous and vibrating with excess energy, was Umran Malik.
"Listen to me, Umran," Aarav said, his voice calm, ensuring the entire dressing room could hear. "You are not here to bowl maidens. You are not here to bowl off-cutters. You are here because you bowl faster than anyone else in this country well, I could be the exception though."
Aarav handed the cap to the young Kashmiri pacer. "I don't care if you get hit for a boundary," Aarav continued, clapping him firmly on the shoulder. "If Nicholas Pooran hits you for a four, your next ball shouldn't be slower. It should be 155 kmph aimed at his throat. We back your pace. Go out there and scare them."
Umran grinned, his nerves melting into sheer, aggressive adrenaline. "Yes, Captain."
Aarav won the toss against Rovman Powell and elected to bat first.
Ravi Shastri (On Commentary): "Welcome to Florida! The sun is beating down on Lauderhill. It is a fantastic atmosphere here. The crowd is buzzing, a great mix of cultures, and cricket is officially growing in the USA! Aarav Pathak has won the toss and India will bat. It looks like a belter of a pitch."
The Indian innings started with a stutter. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad fell early inside the Powerplay, undone by the spongy bounce of the Florida pitch. At 35/2, Aarav Pathak walked out to the middle.
The moment his name was announced, a loud, distinct chant erupted from the bleachers. Aarav Aarav.
Aarav took guard against Alzarri Joseph. He didn't take time to settle. The pitch was flat, the boundaries were reasonably sized, and Aarav was in a ruthless mood. He combined forces with Sanju Samson to rebuild the innings.
But from the 12th over onwards, Aarav exploded. He treated the American crowd to a display of pure, unadulterated power-hitting. He launched Jason Holder onto the grass banks twice. He played a ridiculous reverse-scoop off Obed McCoy that went for six over third man, drawing gasps from the American locals who were trying to figure out the physics of the shot.
Ian Bishop: "Oh, that is absolutely outrageous! Aarav Pathak is putting on a show for the Florida crowd! He has raced into the 80s! He is striking at over 200, and he is making this look like a video game!"
Aarav eventually fell in the 19th over, trying to clear long-off, but the damage was astronomical. Aarav Pathak c Powell b Joseph 82 (41 balls, 6 Fours, 7 Sixes).
With a late flourish from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, India posted a massive 205/5.
Defending 206, Aarav decided to give the Florida crowd exactly what they paid for. He didn't open the bowling with Arshdeep. He opened with himself and Umran Malik.
It was a terrifying exhibition of fast bowling. Aarav, consistently hitting 150 kmph, kept the West Indies openers pinned to the crease. He picked up the crucial wicket of Kyle Mayers in his second over with a searing inswinger. (Aarav's Figures: 4-0-28-1).
But the star of the show was the debutant. Umran Malik ran in like a man possessed. He clocked 153 kmph, 154 kmph, and hit a peak of 156 kmph. The West Indies middle order, usually so adept at clearing the ropes, was rushed by the sheer, raw heat of the Jammu Express.
Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh bowled brilliantly at the death, utilizing their wide yorkers, while Ravindra Jadeja strangled the middle overs.
West Indies folded for 160. Result: India won by 45 runs. Series: India leads 3-1.
Match 5: The American Finale
With the series already secured, the final match in Florida was a dead rubber, but for Aarav's young squad, it was a chance to make a statement of utter dominance.
This time, India batted first again, and the crowd was treated to the most destructive partnership in modern T20 cricket. After Ishan Kishan provided a blistering 30-run cameo, Suryakumar Yadav and Aarav Pathak joined forces in the middle.
What followed was a 360-degree nightmare for the West Indies bowlers. If Aarav hit a 105-meter straight six into the sightscreen, SKY would go down on one knee and scoop a 145 kmph delivery over the fine-leg boundary. It was impossible to set a field for them.
Ravi Shastri: "This is absolute torture for the bowlers! You bowl wide, Aarav slices you. You bowl straight, Surya scoops you! The American crowd is getting a crash course in T20 batting at its absolute peak! They are putting on a clinic in Lauderhill!"
Aarav reached his half-century in just 24 balls. He looked destined for a hundred, but he sacrificed his wicket in the 18th over, trying to steal a non-existent double to keep SKY on strike. Aarav Pathak run out 63 (28 balls, 5 Fours, 4 Sixes).
SKY went on to score a breathtaking 88* off 45 balls, pushing India to a colossal 218/4.
In the second innings, the West Indies came out swinging, knowing they had nothing to lose. Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell hit some massive sixes off Umran Malik, utilizing the pace of the ball.
But Captain Aarav stepped up when it mattered. In the 14th over, with the partnership threatening to take the game deep, Aarav brought himself back into the attack.
Ball 3: A beautifully disguised 125 kmph off-cutter. Pooran went for the slog sweep, was completely deceived by the lack of pace, and skied it to Sanju Samson at long-on.
Ball 6: A 152 kmph toe-crushing yorker to Romario Shepherd. Trapped dead plumb in front of middle stump.
Aarav Pathak Figures: 4-0-24-2.
The double-strike broke the spine of the chase. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh expertly cleaned up the tail. West Indies finished at 185/8.
The post-match presentation was set up on the Florida outfield. The stadium was still 50% full, the fans eager to see the trophy lift.
Ian Bishop: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Player of the Series, for scoring 245 runs at a strike rate of over 190, and picking up 6 wickets across the five matches... The Captain, Aarav Pathak!"
Aarav walked up to the podium, looking exhausted but incredibly satisfied. He accepted the trophy from the local dignitaries.
Ian Bishop: "Aarav, 4-1 series victory. You took over a very young squad, played in the Caribbean, and finished here in the USA. How would you summarize the last three weeks?"
Aarav: "It's been a phenomenal tour, Ian. The boys showed immense character. Losing a game early on could have derailed a young squad, but the way guys like Gill, SKY, and Arshdeep bounced back was brilliant. Umran's debut was fantastic to watch. We played fearless cricket, and that was the mandate."
Ian Bishop: "The crowd here in Florida has been amazing. Cricket in America... what are your thoughts?"
Aarav (Smiling): "It's brilliant. You look at the stands, and it's not just expats; there are local Americans trying to understand the game, cheering for boundaries. The facilities are great. With the T20 World Cup coming here next year, I think the sport is going to explode in this country. We loved playing here."
Ian Bishop: "Well played, Aarav. Come and get your series trophy."
Aarav took the heavy, silver T20I series trophy. He didn't lift it immediately. He walked back to his young, vibrant team.
He found Mukesh Kumar and Umran Malik, the newest members of the squad, and shoved the trophy into their hands.
"CHAMPIONS!" Aarav roared.
The champagne popped. The blue confetti rained down on the American soil. Aarav stepped back, clapping as Ishan and SKY hoisted Umran onto their shoulders.
The Caribbean and American frontier had been conquered. The young squad had proven their mettle. But as Aarav looked at his phone later in the dressing room, seeing a congratulatory text from Rohit Sharma, he knew the real test was looming.
The Asia Cup was next. And then... the ultimate prize. The 2023 ODI World Cup in India. The warmup was officially over.
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Date: 28th September 2023
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There had never been a player like him. In the sprawling, century-and-a-half-long history of professional cricket, no single individual had ever monopolized the sport so absolutely, so terrifyingly, as Aarav Pathak did on the morning of September 28, 2023.
When the International Cricket Council (ICC) released its updated global rankings, the graphics department at Star Sports essentially had to design a new template just for him.
ICC Men's Rankings :
Test Batting: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
Test Bowling: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
Test All-Rounder: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
ODI Batting: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
ODI Bowling: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
ODI All-Rounder: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
T20I Batting: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
T20I Bowling: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
T20I All-Rounder: #1 (Aarav Pathak)
It was a clean sweep. A statistical anomaly that defied logic, biomechanics, and human fatigue. He was a 22-year-old billionaire who averaged over 100 in Test matches, struck at 190 in T20Is, and dismantled batting lineups with 155 kmph thunderbolts in ODIs.
But as Aarav sat on the balcony of his Mumbai penthouse, looking out at the grey Arabian Sea, the numbers meant absolutely nothing to him.
The T20 World Cups, the World Test Championship Mace, the Border-Gavaskar Trophies, the consecutive IPL titles—they were all stepping stones. They were side quests.
Aarav closed his eyes, leaning his head against the glass pane.
He was a man living a second life. He had been sent back in time with a singular, burning purpose. And that purpose was now less than two months away.
The 2023 ODI World Cup.
In his original timeline, the memory of November 19, 2023, was a scar that refused to heal. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 130,000 fans wearing blue, silenced into a horrifying, funereal quiet by Travis Head and Pat Cummins. The tears of Rohit Sharma. The blank, devastated stare of Virat Kohli. The shattered heart of a billion people.
Not this time, Aarav thought, his jaw clenching so hard his teeth ached. I didn't come back to lose that night. I came back to slaughter them.
To change destiny, the foundation had to be flawless. And that foundation had been laid a few weeks ago, across the ocean, amidst the torrential rains of Sri Lanka during Asia Cup.
FLASHBACK: 4th September 2023
Location: Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka Context: Asia Cup 2023
The monsoon rains were lashing against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Presidential Suite at the Taj Samudra. The Asia Cup was in full swing, but the weather was wreaking havoc. The highly anticipated group stage clash between India and Pakistan had been unceremoniously abandoned due to the rain, leaving both teams sharing points. India's next fixture was scheduled for the 10th of September in the Super 4s.
But for the brain trust of Indian Cricket, the Asia Cup was just a warm-up tournament. The real agenda for today was infinitely more monumental.
Today was the day they finalized the 15 men who would carry the nation's hopes in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Aarav walked down the plush, carpeted hallway of the hotel. He wore the blue India training polo, a smartwatch on his wrist, and a face completely devoid of emotion.
He reached the heavy double doors of the suite. Two BCCI security personnel nodded respectfully and opened the doors for him.
Aarav stepped into the room.
The atmosphere was a strange mix of relaxed banter and high-stakes tension.
Sitting at the head of the massive, polished wooden conference table was Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary. To his right sat Ajit Agarkar (the Chief Selector). At the other end of the table sat the leadership core: Head Coach Rahul Dravid, Captain Rohit Sharma, and former captain Virat Kohli.
"Ah, Pathak has arrived," Rohit Sharma grinned, leaning back in his chair with a plate of fresh pineapple slices in front of him. "Come, come, Vice-Captain. We were just debating whether Virat needs to stop eating boiled broccoli and try a Vada Pav to improve his strike rate against spin."
Virat Kohli rolled his eyes, taking a sip of black coffee. "My strike rate is perfectly fine, Ro. And if I eat what you eat, I won't be able to run twos in the 40th over."
"I hit sixes so I don't have to run twos, Cheeku," Rohit retorted smoothly, making Jay Shah chuckle.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Aarav said, pulling up a chair between Rohit and Virat. He nodded to the administrators. "Jay, Ajit, Rahul sir."
"Welcome, Aarav," Rahul Dravid smiled, adjusting his glasses. The Head Coach looked exceptionally focused. "Let's get down to business, gentlemen. We have a World Cup to win at home. The deadline to submit the final 15-man squad to the ICC is approaching. We have our core group, but we need to finalize the specific roles and the backups. The conditions in October and November in India will vary wildly from Dharamshala to Chennai. We need a squad that can conquer all terrains."
Ajit Agarkar, the Chief Selector, opened a thick leather-bound folder.
"Let's start with the easy part," Agarkar said, uncapping his pen. "The absolute locks. The players whose names are written in permanent ink."
He looked at the whiteboard behind him and began to write.
Rohit Sharma (C)
Virat Kohli
Aarav Pathak (VC)
Jasprit Bumrah
Hardik Pandya
"No debates here, I assume?" Agarkar asked.
"If there's a debate about those five, we might as well forfeit the tournament," Virat stated flatly.
"Jassi is bowling beautifully in the nets," Rohit added, looking relieved. Bumrah had returned from a long injury layoff, and his fitness was the biggest boost to the Indian camp. "And having Hardik and Aarav means we have two guys who can bowl 140 and 150+ and bat in the top six. It's the best engine room in world cricket."
"Agreed," Dravid nodded. "Now, let's move to the complexities. The Wicket-Keeper slot."
A heavy silence descended over the table. The absence of Rishabh Pant hung in the room like a dark cloud. Despite Aarav's best medical interventions and blank-check expenditures, the horrific car crash in December had shattered Pant's knee. He was walking again, but he was nowhere near match-fitness for a World Cup.
"We miss Rishabh," Rohit sighed softly, staring at his plate. "His left-handed aggression in the middle order is irreplaceable. But we have to work with what we have."
Agarkar wrote three names on the board under the 'Wicket-Keeper' heading:
Sanju Samson
Ishan Kishan
KL Rahul
"We can carry a maximum of two keepers in a 15-man squad," Agarkar stated. "Let's discuss."
"Sanju is incredibly talented," Dravid started, his analytical mind at work. "He plays spin beautifully, and he averages over 50 in ODIs recently. But his natural game is suited for the top 3 or 4. We don't have a vacancy there. Rohit, Shubman, Virat, and Aarav have those spots locked."
"Exactly," Kohli agreed. "We need a keeper who can bat at Number 5 or 6, absorb pressure if we are 30/3, and finish the game if we are 250/3. That brings it down to KL and Ishan."
Aarav leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
"KL Rahul has to be the primary keeper-batsman," Aarav said, his voice carrying the authority of a man who knew the future. "His numbers at Number 5 in ODIs as per our experiments are phenomenal. He knows how to build an innings, he has the experience of handling Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult with the moving ball, and he brings a sense of calm to the middle order."
"But he's just returning from injury," Jay Shah pointed out cautiously. "Is his keeping up to the mark for 50 overs?"
"I've watched him in the NCA," Aarav replied instantly. "His lateral movement is fine. KL gives us the solidity we need if the top order fails in a knockout game."
"I agree with Aarav," Rohit nodded. "KL is our guy for Number 5. So he is Keeper Number 1. What about the backup? Ishan or Sanju?"
"It has to be Ishan Kishan," Dravid said firmly.
"Why?" Agarkar asked, playing devil's advocate.
"Two reasons," Aarav chimed in, knowing exactly what Dravid was going to say. "First, he is a left-hander. We are a heavily right-handed top order. If we face a team with a dangerous left-arm spinner or a leg-spinner turning it away from us, we can float Ishan up the order to disrupt their lengths. Second, the double century."
Rohit smiled at that. Ishan Kishan had recently smashed a breathtaking 210 against Bangladesh in an ODI.
"The boy hit a double hundred opening the batting," Rohit emphasized. "If God forbid, Shubman Gill or I get injured or fall sick during the tournament, Ishan is a ready-made, explosive opener who can seamlessly walk into the Powerplay. Sanju can't open in an ODI World Cup and had not played any match on our new template of playing the game."
"Done," Agarkar said, drawing a line through Samson's name. "It's harsh on Sanju, but team balance dictates it. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are our two keepers."
"Now, the fast bowlers," Agarkar moved to the next section.
He wrote down:
Jasprit Bumrah
Aarav Pathak
Hardik Pandya
"We have three genuine seamers here already," Agarkar noted. "Usually, a team plays three pacers and two spinners in India. We only need one more specialist fast bowler in the playing XI, and perhaps one as a backup. Who do we pick? Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami?"
In the original timeline, the management had heavily debated playing Shami or Siraj, often sacrificing Shami to play Shardul Thakur at Number 8 for batting depth. Aarav was not going to let that historical blunder happen. He knew that when India played the World Cup, Shami was going to be the most terrifying bowler on the planet.
Aarav sat up straight. His dark eyes locked onto the Chief Selector.
"Both," Aarav said, his voice cold and absolute.
Agarkar frowned. "Both? Aarav, if we select Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, plus you and Hardik, that's five fast bowlers in a 15-man squad for a World Cup in India. That leaves very little room for spin backups or extra batters."
"I don't care," Aarav stated, leaning back, projecting the terrifying 'Vivan Richards' aura that made opposition captains sweat. "With all due respect, Ajit, we are not leaving either of them behind. And more importantly, we are not choosing between them for the Squad."
Dravid looked at Aarav, intrigued. "You want to play Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, yourself, and Hardik in the same XI? That's five pace options on Indian pitches."
"The pitches in Dharamshala, Wankhede, and Eden Gardens will have pace and bounce under lights," Aarav explained methodically. "But it's not about the pitch. It's about fear. If you have Bumrah bowling yorkers from one end, and me bowling 155 kmph from the other... who does the batsman target?"
"The first change bowler," Kohli answered immediately.
"Exactly," Aarav smiled a predatory smile. "And if that first change bowler is Mohammed Shami, coming in with a perfectly upright seam, bowling 142 kmph nip-backers? The opposition has nowhere to hide. They will suffocate. Siraj gives us relentless aggression and swing with the new ball. Shami bhai gives us middle-over breakthroughs. Jassi and I handle the death."
Rohit Sharma, who had been listening quietly, nodded slowly. He saw the vision.
"It's a terrifying attack," Rohit agreed, looking at Dravid. "If we have Aarav, Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj all firing... we don't even need a deep batting lineup, because we will bowl teams out for 150-200. I back my Vice-Captain. We take both Shami and Siraj."
Jay Shah nodded from the head of the table. "Pace wins tournaments. Done. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are locked."
"Spinners," Agarkar continued. "This is India. Spin is crucial."
"Ravindra Jadeja is a lock at Number 7 or 8," Kohli said. "He gives us 10 overs, gun fielding, and finishing ability."
"And we need a wrist spinner to pick wickets in the middle overs," Dravid added. "Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav?"
"Kuldeep Yadav," Rohit and Aarav said in perfect unison.
"Kuldeep has been reinvented," Aarav elaborated. "He is bowling quicker through the air. He has that dipping wrong'un that left-handers can't pick. Chahal is great, but Kuldeep is an attacking option. We need wickets in overs 15 to 40."
"And the backup spinning all-rounder?" Agarkar asked. "Axar Patel?"
"Yes," Dravid confirmed. "Axar is a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. If Jaddu gets a niggle, Axar walks in. He's batting beautifully right now too."
"That leaves the Number 5 batter and a backup all-rounder," Agarkar noted, looking at the board.
"Shreyas Iyer plays at Number 5," Rohit stated firmly. "He had a back issue, but he is looking fit now. There is nobody better at dismantling spin in the middle overs than Shreyas. When teams bring on their spinners to choke us, Shreyas steps out and hits them into the stands. He is the perfect bridge between Aarav/Virat and the finishers like KL and Hardik."
"Locked," Agarkar wrote Iyer's name down. "Now, we have one spot for a pace-bowling all-rounder backup. In case Hardik or Aarav gets injured."
"Shardul Thakur," Virat suggested. "Lord Shardul. He has a knack for picking up wickets out of nowhere. The 'golden arm'. And he can hit a long ball at Number 8 if we find ourselves in a collapse."
The room hummed in agreement. Shardul was a proven match-winner.
"Okay," Agarkar stepped back. "We have 15 names."
He read them out: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Aarav Pathak, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel.
Ajit Agarkar wrote the final name on the board. He stepped back, looking at the 15 names.
It was a terrifying assemblage of cricketing talent.
THE SQUAD:
Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Aarav Pathak (VC)
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (WK)
Ishan Kishan (WK)
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Shardul Thakur
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Vice-Captain: Aarav Pathak
Jay Shah stood up, looking at the board with a satisfied, powerful smirk. "Gentlemen, this is a team capable of beating the World XI. The entire nation expects nothing less than the trophy. The PR machinery will be activated tomorrow. The campaign begins now."
Rahul Dravid looked at his captain and vice-captain. "The pressure will be immense," Dravid warned softly. "Home World Cup. The noise will be deafening. 2011 is a long time ago. We are the champion, we won 2019 and would win the next too. They want a repeat."
Rohit Sharma stood up, buttoning his jacket. He looked incredibly calm, but his eyes carried a lethal focus. "Let them make noise, Rahul bhai," Rohit smiled. "We are ready."
Aarav stood up beside him. He looked at the names on the whiteboard. Bumrah. Shami. Kohli. Rohit. It was an army of absolute monsters.
"We don't just want to win," Aarav said, looking at Dravid and Jay Shah, his voice vibrating with a terrifying, unyielding promise. "We want to dominate. We want to crush every team that steps foot in our country. By the time November 19th comes around, I want the opposition to be praying for rain."
Virat Kohli, walking to the door, let out a loud, approving laugh, slapping Aarav on the back. "That's my boy. Let's go to war."
Aarav opened his eyes, the memory of that Sri Lankan hotel room fading away, replaced by the cool sea breeze of his Mumbai penthouse.
It was September 28th. The squad had been announced precisely as they had planned. The warm-up matches were just days away. The country was wrapped in a fever pitch of blue jerseys, television promos, and skyrocketing expectations.
Aarav picked up his phone. He looked at the wallpaper—a picture of him and Shradha laughing in London.
He stood up, looking out over the vast, glittering expanse of Mumbai.
Travis Head, Aarav thought, the name tasting like ash in his mouth. Pat Cummins. Mitchell Starc.
The ghosts of November 19th from his past life were screaming in his head. The haunting silence of Ahmedabad. The shattered dreams.
Aarav gripped the balcony railing, the metal groaning slightly under his strength. "Not this time," he whispered to the roaring Arabian Sea. "This time, the King and the Prince are waiting for you. And we are bringing hell with us."
The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 was here. The final chapter of redemption was about to begin.
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