Emperor Of Cricket

The floodlights at Chinnaswamy Stadium shone down brightly as the noise from the stands reached deafening levels. It was May 7, 2019, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Qualifier 1 of the IPL playoffs—Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Mumbai Indians. A place in the final awaited the winner, while the loser would have to fight their way through Qualifier 2.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stood in the middle for the toss, the match referee flipping the coin into the night sky. The entire stadium watched as it landed.

"Tails," Rohit called.

The referee checked and confirmed. "It's tails."

Virat smirked slightly before turning to the broadcaster. "We'll bowl first."

The crowd erupted, the sea of red in the stands waving flags wildly. RCB had been brilliant while chasing this season, and with dew expected later, it was a tactical decision. Rohit adjusted his gloves and nodded. "We would've bowled too, but we'll put the runs on the board and see what happens."

The players shook hands, and both teams walked back to their dugouts. In the RCB huddle, Virat's voice was sharp and firm. "Boys, this is our moment. Stay aggressive, stay smart. Let's finish this tonight!"

The eleven men in red dispersed across the field as Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock strode out to open for Mumbai. At the top of his mark, Navdeep Saini stood ready with the new ball.

The umpire signaled, the crowd held its breath, and Saini charged in.

First ball, a perfect outswinger at 143 kmph, shaping away. Rohit poked at it uncertainly, and the edge flew straight into AB de Villiers' gloves.

"GONE! FIRST BALL!" Harsha Bhogle's voice rang through the stadium as Chinnaswamy erupted in absolute chaos. Rohit stood frozen for a second before shaking his head and walking back.

Mumbai 0/1 after 1 ball.

Matthew Hayden chuckled in the commentary box. "What a start! That's the perfect delivery for this kind of match!"

De Kock, unbothered, flicked the next ball over midwicket for four, showing intent. In the third over, he leaned into a full delivery from Umesh Yadav, driving it elegantly through cover. The ball raced across the turf, beating the fielder to the boundary. Suryakumar Yadav, walking in at No. 3, took a different approach. In the fifth over, when Mohammed Siraj pitched one short, he stood tall and pulled it over deep square leg for six.

By the end of the powerplay, Mumbai had recovered to 48/1.

Virat turned to the boundary, raising a hand. Advay Rai took off his cap, tossed it toward the umpire, and took the ball in his hands.

The chants of "RAI! RAI! RAI!" rang through the stadium as he marked his run-up.

Quinton de Kock was on strike. Advay ran in, fluid and effortless, and fired a 144 kmph off-cutter into the pitch. It stayed low. De Kock, expecting extra bounce, played for it—but the ball skidded under his bat and clattered into the stumps!

Harsha Bhogle's voice boomed through the speakers. "BOWLED HIM! Advay Rai with a beauty!"

De Kock stared at the broken stumps before sighing and walking off, shaking his head. The RCB players rushed toward Advay, Virat clapping him on the back.

Mumbai 56/2 in 7.3 overs.

Suryakumar, now settled, flicked a half-volley from Siraj over midwicket for another boundary, his wristwork impeccable. He followed it up in the next over, stepping out to Washington Sundar and lifting him inside-out over extra cover for six. Mumbai was rebuilding well, but with the run rate still under control, Virat tossed the ball back to Advay in the 12th over.

Krunal Pandya had just walked in, looking to accelerate.

Advay's second ball to him was a sharp 145 kmph bouncer into the body. Krunal tried to pull but got it high on the bat—the ball ballooned straight to deep square leg! Easy catch.

Mumbai 89/3 in 11.2 overs.

Sunil Gavaskar chuckled in the commentary box. "This guy is just too good. He's reading batsmen like a book."

With five overs to go, Mumbai sat at 124/3, setting up for a big finish.

Suryakumar, on 58(42), was Mumbai's biggest hope. Advay returned for his final over in the 17th over.

The first ball was a brutal 147 kmph yorker, angling into the base of off-stump. Suryakumar shuffled across, trying to scoop it, but the ball zipped past his bat and crashed into the stumps.

"BOWLED HIM! RAI STRIKES AGAIN!"

The RCB players swarmed Advay, and the crowd was on its feet.

Mumbai 125/4 in 16.1 overs.

Advay turned away calmly, his face unreadable as he jogged back to his fielding position.

His final figures: 4 overs – 3 wickets – 26 runs.

Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya swung hard in the last few overs, smashing quick runs to push Mumbai to 167/6 in 20 overs.

As Advay walked back toward the dugout, Virat patted him on the shoulder. "Well bowled, brother. Now, let's finish this."

The stadium rose to its feet as Virat and Advay picked up their bats, stepping onto the field.

167 to win. A place in the IPL Final on the line.

As the players walked back onto the field, the noise inside Chinnaswamy Stadium reached new heights. The RCB openers—Virat Kohli and Advay Rai—strode out with purpose, their eyes locked onto the target: 168 runs to book a place in the IPL Final.

At the top of his mark, Jasprit Bumrah stood ready with the new ball, rolling it in his hands as he stared down the two men in red. He knew this would be no easy task—Virat Kohli, the chase master, and Advay Rai, the most dominant batter of the season.

The umpire signaled. The crowd held its breath.

Bumrah steamed in, first ball—a full delivery just outside off stump.

Virat leaned forward and drove it crisply through covers for four.

The stadium erupted, fans waving RCB flags furiously as Virat held his pose for a second before jogging to the non-striker's end.

From the other end, Lasith Malinga took the ball for the second over. His first ball was a slower one outside off, and Advay watched it closely before leaning into an elegant cover drive, threading it perfectly through the infield for four.

RCB 13/0 after 2 overs.

Bumrah, back for his second, went for the short ball next, angling it into the body. Advay read it early, rolling his wrists and pulling it flat over deep square leg for six!

The RCB dugout stood up in appreciation as the ball landed in the stands.

Harsha Bhogle's voice crackled through the commentary box. "Oh, that is pure class! Look at the control on that pull shot—Advay Rai is making this look easy!"

Virat, watching from the non-striker's end, smirked slightly before walking over to tap gloves with Advay.

RCB 32/0 after 4 overs.

Mumbai needed a breakthrough, and Hardik Pandya was brought into the attack. His third ball was a full-length delivery, and Virat stepped forward and flicked it effortlessly over midwicket for four.

The next ball, slightly short—Virat rocked back and cut it behind point for another boundary.

"Kohli is in the mood tonight!" shouted Matthew Hayden in commentary as the Mumbai fielders started looking restless.

RCB 52/0 after 6 overs.

The powerplay belonged completely to Bangalore.

Advay, on 26 off 18, was seeing the ball well, while Virat, on 22 off 18, looked as composed as ever.

Krunal Pandya was introduced in the 8th over, hoping to break the stand. His first ball to Advay was tossed up beautifully. Advay stepped out, got to the pitch, and lofted it cleanly over extra cover for six!

The next ball was short and wide, and Advay didn't hold back—cutting it ferociously past point for four!

RCB 78/0 after 9 overs.

The required run rate had dropped below 7 per over, and the Mumbai Indians bowlers were running out of ideas.

In the 11th over, Rahul Chahar got a rare chance to bowl at Virat. His first ball was full on middle stump—Virat danced down the track and whipped it over long-on for six!

RCB 98/0 after 11 overs.

The partnership was closing in on a hundred, and Mumbai's desperation was visible. Bumrah was brought back for one final breakthrough attempt in the 13th over. His second ball was a well-directed yorker at 147 kmph.

Advay, showing incredible reflexes, opened the face of the bat and squeezed it past backward point for four!

The next ball, slightly overpitched—Advay played a perfect straight drive, sending the ball crashing into the boundary cushion.

"This is a masterclass in chasing!" Sunil Gavaskar exclaimed as the camera panned to the RCB dugout, where the players were already smiling.

RCB 124/0 after 14 overs.

With only 44 runs needed in 6 overs, the result was all but decided.

Lasith Malinga returned for the 16th over, trying to salvage some pride. His third ball was a slower one on the pads—Virat glanced it fine, using the pace to guide it to the boundary.

Two balls later, a rare short ball—Virat pulled it savagely over deep midwicket for six!

RCB 149/0 after 16 overs.

The required runs were now in single digits.

Advay, on 79 off 50, had the chance to finish it in style. He stepped up in the 18th over, facing Krunal Pandya. The first ball was slightly full, and Advay didn't hesitate—launching it high over long-off for six!

The next ball, a quicker one, but Advay rocked back and cut it fiercely behind point.

Four more.

SCORES LEVEL.

With one run needed, Krunal fired in a faster one at the stumps. Advay simply leaned forward and pushed it into the gap, jogging the single as the stadium erupted in pure euphoria!

RCB WINS BY 10 WICKETS!

Virat raised his arms, taking in the deafening chants of "RCB! RCB!" Advay walked up, grinning, as Virat wrapped an arm around his shoulder, both men looking up at the scoreboard.

Final Scores:

Advay Rai: 90(54) [12 fours, 3 sixes]*Virat Kohli: 76(52) [9 fours, 2 sixes]*

Chinnaswamy Stadium was shaking. RCB was going to the IPL Final.

As the fireworks lit up the Bengaluru sky, the chants of "RCB! RCB!" echoed through Chinnaswamy. The players shook hands, the Mumbai Indians camp looking dejected, while the RCB dugout was all smiles. Virat and Advay walked off the field together, the latter raising his bat toward the roaring crowd.

At the post-match presentation, Harsha Bhogle stood with the microphone, smiling as he read out the award announcements.

"And now, for the Player of the Match award. With figures of 3/26 with the ball and an unbeaten 90 off 54 deliveries with the bat, the Man of the Match goes to… Advay Rai!"

The crowd exploded once again as Advay walked up to the stage, shaking hands with Harsha before receiving the trophy. He looked at it for a moment before setting it down beside him.

Harsha grinned. "Advay, yet another dominant performance from you. Three wickets with the ball, a match-winning 90 with the bat, and RCB storms into the final. How are you feeling right now?"

Advay took a deep breath, adjusting the mic slightly. "It feels amazing. This is what we've been working for the entire season. To come out here, in front of this incredible crowd, and get the job done—it's special."

Harsha nodded. "You've been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, and today, you made an impact with both bat and ball. Let's talk about your bowling first. Three wickets, including that crucial one of Suryakumar Yadav. What was the plan when you came in?"

Advay smirked slightly. "The plan was simple—hit the hard lengths, keep it tight, and make them work for their runs. The pitch had something for the bowlers early on, and I wanted to make sure I took advantage of it."

Harsha smiled. "Well, you certainly did. Now, let's talk about that chase. You and Virat made 167 look like a walk in the park. Was there a clear strategy when you walked out?"

Advay glanced toward the RCB dugout, where Virat was watching with a grin. He chuckled slightly. "The strategy was simple—don't lose wickets, play good cricket shots, and make it count in the powerplay. Having Virat at the other end makes everything easier. We just backed ourselves, and the runs came naturally."

Harsha raised an eyebrow. "You were on 90. No thoughts of getting the hundred?"

Advay smirked. "I'll take the win over the hundred any day."

Harsha chuckled. "Well, I'm sure the RCB fans will take it too. One final question—RCB is in the IPL final for the first time since 2016. How much does this mean to you and the team?"

Advay took a second before answering. "It means everything. The fans have waited so long for this moment, and we've worked so hard for it. But the job isn't done yet. One more to go."

The crowd cheered loudly, the belief stronger than ever.

Harsha smiled. "Spoken like a true match-winner. Congratulations, Advay, and best of luck for the final!"

Advay shook his hand, grabbed his trophy, and stepped off the stage, his eyes already set on the bigger prize—the IPL trophy.

As the final run was scored, the entire Chinnaswamy Stadium shook with the deafening roar of RCB fans. Flags waved furiously, people jumped onto their seats, and the chants of "RCB! RCB!" drowned out every other sound in the city.

In the stands, a group of die-hard RCB fans couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.

One fan, wearing a Kohli jersey, had his hands on his head, his voice shaking with excitement. "Bhai, we just chased 167 without losing a single wicket. WITHOUT LOSING A WICKET!"

His friend, still jumping in place, grabbed his shoulders. "This is not just a win, this is a statement! RCB is going to the FINAL!"

A couple of rows behind them, a teenager wrapped in an RCB flag was on a video call with his friend, screaming into the phone. "I told you! I TOLD YOU! Advay Rai is not human, bro! Three wickets, 90 runs—this guy is a cheat code!"

An elderly man, probably in his 60s, who had been watching with a calm smile the whole time, finally broke his silence. "In all my years of watching cricket, I have never seen an RCB team this dominant. This is our year."

Near the front rows, a small kid wearing an oversized RCB cap pulled at his father's arm. "Papa, I want to play cricket like Advay Rai!"

His father laughed, ruffling his son's hair. "Beta, if you play like him, I'll build you a cricket ground myself!"

A group of college students, their faces painted red and black, lifted one of their friends into the air, chanting: "ADVAY RAI! ADVAY RAI!"

One of them, still out of breath, shook his head in disbelief. "This guy is built different. You don't chase 167 in a playoff game without even breaking a sweat. You just don't!"

His friend, still recording the celebrations on his phone, grinned. "Bro, the headlines tomorrow? 'THE CROWN PRINCE OF INDIAN CRICKET SENDS RCB TO THE FINAL!'"

The entire stadium continued buzzing, fans hugging, laughing, and celebrating like they had already won the IPL trophy.

But they all knew the truth—there was still one more match to go.

And for the first time in years, they believed that this time, RCB wouldn't let it slip away.