1st T20I – Lord's, London | July 5, 2018
🎧 Prologue: The Sound Outside the Stadium
Rain drummed on the marquee outside Lord's. The Thames nearby gurgled under overcast skies.
Inside the stadium, the stands were full. Not the same quiet as Pune or Delhi. Tonight, it was rowdy. Expectant. Demanding.
Clouds rolled in off the English Channel. They warned of swing. And mystery.
India entered the pavilion with a roulette of fan voices:
"Make or break night."
"Here's your face of modern Indian cricket."
They slapped helmets on Ishaan's hands with the weight of scrutiny.
He closed his eyes.
🥁 Scene 1: Toss and Tension
Kohli won the toss and chose to bowl.
The dressing room exploded—England had lost the toss! Relief flickered. Ishaan didn't react. He stared at the white ceiling.
"Nine runs in."
"Seven balls."
Those numbers felt louder tonight.
🎯 Scene 2: The Chase Begins
India chasing 165 under light showers.
Virat and Rohit opened. Ishaan sat on the bench, hoodie over the team jersey.
Over 8.1 – Foged throws deliver to stain
Rohit fell first ball—outswinger. Bowled.
Crowd reacted with muffled delight.
Kohli looked toward the dressing room.
Kohli (calling out): "Verma. Wrap up. You're on."
The rain increased.
🌪️ Scene 3: Moments After the Walk-Out
Stadium lights brightened the damp.
Ishaan took the field, twitching in the wet mud. Sweat and rain mingled.
Fans booed. Some hissed—"NAWZ😂!"
He ignored it. Head down.
The infield chatter echoed.
"You cost me my fantasy XI."
"One mistake—pinched his tears."
He remembered Kohli's words in Mumbai:
"Stay inside the noise."
He swallowed hard.
🧩 Scene 4: Ball-by-Ball Unfolding
8.2 – Rashid to Verma
Flighted, drifting in. Ishaan lunged forward—defended on middle.
No run.
8.3 – Rashid to Verma
Shorter—outside off. Swung away but missed.
Edge and a snick—safe.
8.4 – Rashid to Verma
Full on middle. Defender closed down.
No run.
8.5 – Rashid to Verma
Slower one. Tried to flick—but top-edge.
Caught at short square.
OUT for 9 (7 balls)
Stadium roared. Jeers, chants. "Play better or go home!"
💢 Scene 5: The Dugout Fallout
He dumped gloves on the bench.
Rains pattered through a gap in the marquee.
Kohli approached, eyes grave.
Kohli: "They've been tough on you before. Now again."
Ishaan (quiet): "They want me to shine or fall?"
Kohli: "They see what they want. You see what's real."
Kohli squeezed his shoulder, then walked away.
🎙️ Scene 6: Media's Words
The post-match saw Ishaan's name in fiery headlines:
Daily Mail: "Verma Flame-Out at Lord's."
Sky Sports: "9 Runs: The New Standard?"
Social Media: #VermaGoneAgain, #BackToTheDrawingBoard
TV showed slow-motion replays—top-edge lit under lights—as harsh criticism.
🌉 Scene 7: Solitary Walk – Regent's Park
His evening continued wet. He wrapped himself in a raincoat.
He walked the park's cobbled paths beneath antique lamps, eyes unfocused.
No teammates, no cameras. Just the silent night and the gentle drone of passing vehicles.
He paused at a bridge over a lily-covered pond.
His phone buzzed once:
"Next match. New chance." — Kohli
💌 Scene 8: The Note Appears
On a wooden bench, a man sat quietly.
Ishaan identified the figure—he stood, turned to leave.
But the man stepped away, holding out a small note.
Fan: "I thought you might need this."
Ishaan took it, nodded.
He slipped the letter into his pocket, curiosity flickering.
The fan walked away into the dark.
📖 Scene 9: Rainy Revelation
Back at the hotel, Ishaan tugged off shoes, slipped into slippers.
He opened the note:
"Even silence has power. – E"
His hands shook slightly.
He closed his eyes.
A breeze swirled through the corridor.
"E."
He looked around the empty hallway.
A memory.
A whisper.
A spark.
💭 Scene 10: Internal Reckoning
He sank onto the bed. Rain traced the window frame.
Journal time.
He scribbled:
*"Nine runs in seven balls. Hellish numbers, happier memories. But the note — a puzzle, a promise.
Silence has power…
Maybe silence is just another way to be heard."*
He closed the book. Tears didn't come.
Only the storm inside, swelling secret, silent, unbroken.
🕛 Scene 11: Dawn Ahead
Late-night team room: empty chairs. Phones drained. Luggage out.
He pressed his palm to the table.
Stood.
"Tomorrow, I let the bat speak."
He walked into the corridor. Lights dimmed behind him.