The GOAT of Cricket

**Kensington Oval, Barbados — July 2016**

The sun beat down on the famed oval like a spotlight, illuminating not just the lush green outfield but the stage for India's newest sensation. The third and final T20I between India and West Indies was technically a dead rubber — but not for those chasing greatness.

The series was already sealed. India 2, West Indies 0. But Kohli's team wanted a sweep, and for Ishaan Verma, this wasn't just a game. This was the coronation.

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### The Morning Buzz

Inside the Indian team hotel, the atmosphere was both relaxed and electric. Rohit Sharma, nursing a sore back, was sitting out. Virat Kohli had the armband.

**Team Meeting — 8:30 AM**

Virat stood at the front. "We've won the series. But champions don't stop at 2-0. We finish clean."

He turned to Ishaan with a grin. "You're opening today."

Ishaan blinked. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me. No better day."

A mix of surprise, nerves, and thrill swept through him. Kohli added, "Time to make Barbados your playground."

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### The Toss

Jason Holder won the toss. "We'll bowl first," he said, eyeing the grass patches and light cloud cover.

Kohli, smiling at the presentation: "We've got fire at the top. Let's light it up."

### India XI:

1. **Ishaan Verma**

2. Shikhar Dhawan

3. Virat Kohli (C)

4. MS Dhoni (WK)

5. Suresh Raina

6. Hardik Pandya

7. Ravindra Jadeja

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

9. Jasprit Bumrah

10. Yuzvendra Chahal

11. R. Ashwin

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### Ishaan's Ascent

**Over 1 — Samuel Badree:** Tight. Just a single.

**Over 2 — Jerome Taylor:**

* Ball 1: Short — Ishaan swivel pulls. **FOUR**

* Ball 2: Full — straight drive. **FOUR**

* Ball 3: Slower ball — lofted over mid-off. **FOUR**

Commentary — **Ian Bishop:**

> "He's timing it like a maestro. What composure from the young man."

By the 6th over, India were 59/0. Ishaan: 39 off 20.

Dhawan rotated strike smartly. Kohli in the dugout, clapping between sips of electrolyte.

**Kohli to Raina:** "He's not just hitting. He's thinking. That's special."

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### The Fifties and the Fire

In the 10th over, Ishaan danced down to Sunil Narine — lofted, majestic — **SIX** over extra cover. That brought up his **50 off 29 balls**.

No celebration. Just a glance at the sky, bat raised briefly.

**9.3 Over — Dhawan Out:** Swept Benn, caught at short fine leg. Enter Kohli.

At the non-striker's end, Ishaan grinned. "Company at last."

Kohli: "Let's break them."

Their partnership was rapid-fire artistry:

* Crisp singles.

* Wristy flicks.

* Inside-outs and ramps.

The 72-run stand off 36 balls had the crowd in a trance.

18th Over — **Carlos Brathwaite to Ishaan:**

* Ball 1: Wide — slashed. **FOUR**

* Ball 2: Slower ball — picked early. **SIX**

* Ball 3: Yorker — single.

India closed on **209/4**.

**Ishaan Verma: 89* off 49 balls*\*

**Kohli: 38 off 22**

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### The Chase

**Opening Spell:**

* Bumrah bowled Charles with a sharp in-swinger.

* Bhuvi got Gayle caught at long-off.

Pooran and Russell tried counterpunching but were stifled by Ashwin and Chahal.

**14th Over — Jadeja:**

* Brilliant direct hit to dismiss Brathwaite.

* Caught and bowled Benn two balls later.

West Indies folded for **158**.

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### Series Sweep: India Wins 3–0

The dressing room erupted. Water bottles popped like champagne. Loud chants echoed:

**"India! India! India!"**

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### Player of the Series

**Harsha Bhogle on Mic:**

> "For 235 runs in 3 matches, including two fifties and a near-century, the Player of the Series is... Ishaan Verma!"

He walked out, greeted by a roar.

Presenter: "How do you describe this week?"

**Ishaan:**

> "This isn't a dream. It's the first chapter of a new book. And the pen's in my hand."

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### Final Toast

Back at the hotel rooftop:

Kohli raised a glass. "To the boy who didn't wait his turn. He took it."

Dhoni smiled. "We've found something."

As laughter and music filled the Caribbean air, Ishaan stepped out to the edge of the balcony.

The sea shimmered below.

He called home. Meera picked up.

"Ma, we swept them."

"I know. Your father's probably up there yelling louder than all of Barbados."

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### Diary Entry That Night

> *Series won. Hearts won. Found peace in noise. Found fire in calm. This crown? It's just the first.*

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