𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 - shubman gill ✓

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𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

The alarm clock blared in the quiet hotel room, jolting Mithra awake. She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the time—7:30 AM. Panic washed over her as she realized that Kamlesh and Shubman were still fast asleep on the couch, things of a movie night scattered around them. 

"Mithra," a groggy voice came from the tangle of blankets on the couch. Mithra turned to see Shubman, his hair disheveled, blinking against the morning light. Kamlesh was still snoring softly beside him, oblivious to the urgency of the situation.

"Shubman, wake up! You guys have practice in half an hour, and you're still in my room," Mithra exclaimed, her voice a mix of urgency and frustration. Shubman sat up, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Oh, no! What time is it?"

"7:30," Mithra replied, frantically gathering their scattered belongings. Shubman shook Kamlesh, trying to rouse him. "Kamlesh, wake up! We're late for practice!" Kamlesh stirred, opening his eyes in confusion. "Practice? What time is it?"

"Late! That's what time it is. Now get up, both of you!" Mithra urged, tossing a pair of sneakers to Shubman and a cricket kit bag to Kamlesh. The two cricketers scrambled to get dressed, still half-asleep. Mithra couldn't help but chuckle at their dazed expressions. As they hurriedly prepared, she checked her watch, the minutes ticking away relentlessly.

"Come on, we don't have time for this. Practice is waiting!" Mithra ushered them towards the door. In a flurry of activity, they exited the hotel room, leaving behind the remnants of their movie night. Mithra couldn't believe how quickly the calm atmosphere of the morning had turned into a whirlwind of urgency. She led the way down the corridor, hoping they could make it to the practice session on time.

As they rushed through the hotel lobby, Mithra couldn't help but think that this unexpected turn of events would be a story to remember—one that would be retold with laughter, recalling the day Shubman and Kamlesh nearly missed a crucial practice because of a movie night in her hotel room.

Mithra hurriedly finished packing her bags, tossing in the last few items and zipping up her suitcase. She sighed, glancing around the hotel room, thinking about the unexpected yet memorable night with Shubman and Kamlesh. As she prepared to leave, her friend Rahul entered the room, wearing a curious expression. "Mithra, I have some news for you," he said, holding a cup of coffee in his hand.

Mithra raised an eyebrow, "News? What's going on?"

Rahul took a deep breath before breaking into a grin. "Remember that call I got this morning? Well, it turns out you won't be catching your flight for the commentator session tonight."

Mithra's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean? Did something happen?"

Rahul chuckled, "Something better happened. You've been selected to travel with the Kolkata Knight Riders as their official commentator and interviewer! You'll be handling all the sessions and interviews for the team, as well as those with the teams they'll be playing against. Congratulations!"

Mithra was both thrilled and stunned by the unexpected turn of events. "That's amazing! But why the sudden change?" Rahul handed her an envelope, "This is for you. The team management sent it over. It contains all the details, your schedule, and some additional perks they wanted you to have."

Mithra took the envelope and opened it, scanning through the contents. The details were comprehensive, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement for this new opportunity. It seemed like her career was taking an unexpected yet exciting turn.

"Wow, this is incredible! I can't believe it," she exclaimed, a mix of joy and disbelief in her voice.

Rahul grinned, "Well, believe it! It looks like you'll be covering the IPL from a whole new perspective. And don't worry, I'll be with the Mumbai Indians, so we'll still be in the same league, just different teams."

Mithra chuckled, feeling a surge of gratitude for the unexpected twist in her professional journey. As she and Rahul prepared to leave the hotel, a new adventure awaited her with the Kolkata Knight Riders, and she couldn't wait to dive into the world of cricket commentary from the heart of the action.

As Mithra approached the field, she could hear the thud of cricket balls against bats and the energetic chatter of players. The Kolkata Knight Riders were in full swing, practicing under the watchful eye of their coach. Mithra pulled out her camera and microphone, ready to capture the essence of their training session.

She first approached Shubman Gill, who was engaged in a rigorous net session. "Shubman, how does it feel to be back with the Kolkata Knight Riders for another season?"

Shubman, with a sweat-soaked brow, replied with a grin, "It's always special to be a part of this team. We have a great camaraderie, and I'm looking forward to contributing to our success this year."

Mithra moved on to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who was showcasing his impressive pace on the field. "Kamlesh, you've been an exciting prospect for KKR. How do you prepare for such a high-pressure tournament like the IPL?"

Kamlesh, still catching his breath, replied, "I focus on my training and try to stay calm. We have a fantastic support system here, and I'm learning a lot from our experienced players."

Next, she approached Andre Russell, who was displaying his trademark powerful strokes. "Andre, KKR fans are always excited to see you in action. What's your mindset coming into this season?"

Russell, flashing his charismatic smile, said, "I'm here to give my best, entertain the fans, and hopefully help the team lift the trophy. We have a great mix of youth and experience."

Eoin Morgan, the captain, took a break from his batting practice to share a few words. "Mithra, every season is a new challenge, and we're ready for it. The team is in good spirits, and we're looking to build on our strengths."

Mithra then moved to the spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. "Kuldeep, Varun, how do you plan to tackle the diverse challenges posed by different teams in the IPL?"

Kuldeep responded, "We analyze each opponent thoroughly and devise strategies accordingly. It's about adapting to the situation and making an impact."

Varun added, "Our team has a good mix of spin and pace, and we complement each other well. It's all about working together for the collective success of the team."

As the day progressed, Mithra captured various moments, from intense net sessions to light-hearted banter among teammates. The camaraderie within the squad was evident, and the determination to excel in the upcoming IPL season shone through their actions and dialogues.

Before wrapping up, Mithra had a quick chat with coach Brendon McCullum. "Brendon, how do you see the team shaping up this season?"

McCullum replied, "We have a talented bunch of players, and the energy is fantastic. The goal is clear — play fearless cricket and enjoy the game. If we do that, success will follow."

As Mithra concluded her day on the field, she felt privileged to witness the dedication and passion of the Kolkata Knight Riders. The journey with the team had just begun, and she was eager to unfold the stories that the upcoming IPL season would bring.