Smriti Mandhana, India's opening southpaw, is often portrayed as shy, introverted, modest, and humble, shining brightly as one of the top batters in women's cricket. In contrast, Ellyse Perry dazzles with her bubbly, vibrant, and exuberant nature, e...
The crowd’s energy was palpable, yet Smriti’s anxiety seemed to cast a shadow over her usual composure. She stood at the crease, eyes focused on the bowler, Shruti Rana, whose presence alone was enough to send tremors through her.
Perry, sensing Smriti’s heightened nerves, walked down from her position at the non-striker's end to offer support. She gave Smriti a reassuring nod, her eyes brimming with understanding. Smriti managed a shaky smile in return, drawing strength from her friend’s presence. But as she settled into her stance, Shruti Rana flashed a vicious smile. It was as if she knew exactly how to press Smriti’s buttons.
The ball was delivered, and Smriti, still visibly rattled, managed to take a single. As she walked to the non-striker's end, Shruti approached her, leaning in with a sinister whisper. “Heard that this Aussie all-rounder is head over heels for you, baby. But I know you only love me.” Her cold smile widened, and she gave Smriti a wink. The words hit Smriti like a physical blow. Her face turned pale, and she seemed momentarily disoriented.
Perry’s heart ached at the sight of Smriti's distress. Fury bubbled up inside her, but she forced herself to focus on the game. The next few balls were dispatched with ease by the Gujarat batsmen— three consecutive boundaries and a single that Smriti had no choice but to take, given her current mental state.
The sixth ball approached, and Smriti, now visibly trembling, braced herself. Her mind was a chaotic storm of fear and confusion. In an attempt to simply get a single, she misjudged the delivery. The ball scooped awkwardly off her bat and went straight into Rana’s waiting hands. The catch was effortless, and Rana gave an aggressive send-off
Perry’s anger flared as she watched Rana’s aggressive taunt. She stormed up to Smriti, her voice fierce yet soft as she said, “Calm down, Smrits. Have some water. I’m coming back in a few minutes. Just breathe.”
As Perry walked away, her mind was consumed with thoughts of revenge. When Shruti Rana came to bowl her next over, Perry was on strike. The memory of Rana’s taunt and Smriti’s distress fueled her determination. She muttered under her breath, “You’re going to pay for this, bitch.”
The first ball was delivered, and Perry launched it over covers for a massive six. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Perry’s focus was solely on Rana. The second ball was an even bigger statement—a straight six that cut through the night sky. She continued her onslaught, sending the next four balls over the boundary, each one more emphatic than the last. The final six shattered the glass of a sponsored car parked near the boundary, eliciting a deafening roar from the crowd.
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Perry, having struck six sixes in the over, had amassed a breathtaking 77 runs. The crowd’s adulation was immense, but Perry’s mind was on Smriti. She had no time for celebrations, despite the loud cheers and congratulations from her teammates. Her sole focus was finding her friend.
In the dressing room, Sophie approached Perry, beaming with excitement. “Wow, Pez, you were on fire out there! What a performance!”
Perry managed a tight smile, her eyes scanning the room. “Thanks, Sophie. Have you seen Smriti?”
Sophie’s smile faltered. “Actually, she went to the washroom after she got out. She hasn’t come out since. I think she was upset about the way she got out.”
Without another word, Perry pushed past Sophie and headed straight for the washroom. She pushed the door open and her heart sank at the sight before her.
Smriti was huddled in a corner, her knees drawn up to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to herself. Perry’s breath caught in her throat, and she took a step forward. But before she could say anything, Smriti’s anxious voice cut through the silence.
“No, Pez, don’t come near me,” Smriti said, her voice trembling with fear. “She knows about you. She knows you’re special to me. She’ll harm you, Pez.”
Smriti’s sobs came in halting gasps. “It’s better for you to stay away from me. I’m in the darkness, Pez. And if you try to save me, you’ll end up in darkness too.”
Perry’s heart ached at the raw pain in Smriti’s voice. She wanted to comfort her, to assure her that everything would be alright. But instead of words, she took decisive action. Perry moved forward, her arms outstretched, and enveloped Smriti in a tight embrace. She held her close, the warmth of her presence a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped Smriti.
She held on until Smriti’s sobs subsided, whispering soothing words into her ear. “No one can make me stay away from you, Smrits. Not now, not ever. You won’t be fielding today. Take some rest. I’ll say you’re injured. Wait till we finish the match and come to me.”
Perry gently took Smriti’s hand in hers. “Promise me you’ll be okay and won’t talk to anyone until then.”
Smriti nodded, her grip on Perry’s hand firm yet trembling. She hugged Perry tightly, finding solace in the secure embrace. For a moment, the darkness that had enveloped her seemed to recede, replaced by the light of Perry’s unwavering support.
