1st ODI – The Oval, London | July 18, 2018
🌧️ Prologue: Clouds Over the Ground of Ghosts
Rain-puddled grass reflected floodlights at The Oval—the very ground where Ishaan's century had leaked into loss last year. He stood just outside the tunnel, watching the pitch gleam under lights in a hush thick with memory.
Seat 19, Row B—his spot in the stands during the Champions Trophy. He could see the glare, hear distant applause that felt hollow now.
Now, floodlights beckoned again. But he wasn't the rookie with a flash in the pan. He was here to finish the story.
🥁 Scene 1: Captain's Signal
Kohli won the toss and chose to field under cloudy skies.
England scored 283/7.
India's batting order was:
Rohit
Dhawan
Kohli
Ishaan Verma
The batting depth was their strength—but early wickets made it fragile.
⚠️ Scene 2: The Early Collapse
India 10/2 — Dhawan LBW, Kohli caught chasing. The floodlights glowed hotter somehow.
"Not again." Ishaan thought, tucking away the flash of fear that had once grown heavy.
He stepped onto the field.
🏏 Scene 3: The Walk to the Memories
He walked past the Pavilion where banners proclaimed "Champions Trophy Final". That label felt like scar tissue now—beautiful but broken.
He approached the crease with measured breaths—strong, silent, focused.
🟧 Scene 4: Ball-by-Ball Resilience
4.2 – Woakes to Verma
Length ball. Ishaan pads forward, dead-bat defensive.
No run.
5.1 – Rashid to Verma
Flighted. He danced down, flicked past square.
One run.
5.5 – Rashid
Thrown into a slog sweep—not timed well—but ran two.
🕛 Scene 5: The First Boundary
India 35/2 — Ishaan: 8*(24)
7.4 – Woakes to Verma
Back of length, angled. Ishaan guided late—through the vacant third man.
FOUR!
He didn't celebrate—but his eyes softened.
Commentary (Shastri):
"First boundary at The Oval — not fireworks. But the start of something solid."
🔁 Scene 6: Building the Foundation
11.3 – Archer to Verma
Shortish. Ishaan waited, punched to deep square.
Four.
13.2 – Rashid
Flighted. Flicked past midwicket.
FOUR.
India 95/2
Ishaan: 35(60)*
He didn't speak. Just anchored.
🌧️ Scene 7: Mid-Innings Fight
England brought back seamers.
17.1 – Broad to Verma
Full angled in. He leaned in, clipped off pads.
Two.
20.2 – Archer
Body line. He ducked and ran—warmed up call for review but umpire ruled not-out.
Schism in emotions. Relief.
🏅 Scene 8: Fifty Under Pressure
22.3 – Rashid to Verma
Flighted leg-break, tossed wide. He flicked with intent.
FIFTY! (off 82 balls)
Floodlights glowed brighter. Crowd stirred—applause rose.
He didn't raise his bat. He took guard again, sure.
🎇 Scene 9: The Art of the Chase
27.4 – Woakes
Short. Smacked through midwicket.
FOUR.
30.1 – Archer
Slower bouncer. He heaved over deep midwicket.
SIX!
Ishaan: 90 (112)*
India: 175/3 off 35 overs — in control.
⏱️ Scene 10: The Final Push
40.3 – Rashid to Verma
Flighted. He leant and drove past cover.
FOUR.
44.2 – Woakes
Back-of-length. Flick tight.
FOUR.
48.4 – Broad
Full, wide. He whipped it to deep square.
FOUR.
Ishaan: 97*(106) — with ten to win off two overs.
🧨 Scene 11: The Moment of Redemption
They sealed the win. India 284/6.
Ishaan remained 97. Bowled a final loose ball by Adil Rashid—missed by inches.
"A hundred's close, but win is closer."
Kohli hugged him mid-pitch.
"That was the night. That was the moment."
🗣️ Scene 12: A Stadium Remembers
As he walked off, chants rose:
"Ver‑ma! Ver‑ma! Ver‑ma!"
He turned, raised his bat. No helmet. Tears glistened under floodlights.
Cameras flashed. Fans cried. Broad grinned. Woakes nodded.
🗨️ Scene 13: Post-Match Reflection
In the dressing room, Kohli stood before everyone.
Kohli: "That was the long game. Not just runs. But scars healed. That's Verma."
The room applauded him.
🧭 Scene 14: After the Storm
Later, alone at the balcony, London's night glistened around him.
Floodlights reflected in his eyes. He pulled out his journal:
"97 at Oval—a hundred saved for saving the night. Tonight, the scoreboard doesn't lie."
He closed it. Heart full, whisper calm.