Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 94

The next day brought a nail-biting match that had everyone at the edge of their seats. Despite early breakthroughs, Travis Head was proving to be an immovable force, his fierce batting living up to his surname. At 80 and climbing, he was relentlessly sending the ball to all parts of the ground, giving the Indian players—and fans—a collective headache.

In the dugout, Rohit, Shubman,and the others were visibly restless, their impatience for Head's wicket growing with each shot. Meera, standing a little apart from the group as part of her security detail, found herself increasingly drawn to the game. While her primary focus remained on scanning the crowd for any potential issues, she couldn't help but glance at the field every now and then, her body tense with the pressure of the match.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Anushka and Sanjana were cheering for their husbands, their excitement palpable as they waved their flags and shouted encouragement. The atmosphere was electric.

Then came the moment that sent hearts racing. Head connected with a delivery, sending the ball flying toward the boundary. It wasn't too high, but it carried enough power to cross the ropes.

 The cheers were instant, but there was a shift in the energy on the field.  The next ball Bumrah delivered was pure venom—a deadly delivery that Head could only edge. The ball soared towards the slips, and Rishabh lunged forward to take an incredible catch behind the stumps.

Virat stormed towards Bumrah, roaring, his fists pumping furiously in the air. Bumrah matched him, letting out an almost primal scream, his arms spread wide as he stormed down the pitch, eyes blazing with aggression. The usually composed pacer had unleashed a side rarely seen, and it fired up the entire team.

At the slips, Rahul sprinted over, grabbing Bumrah in a tight hug. "Booms! That was insane!" he shouted, the relief and adrenaline evident on his face. Virat joined in, chest-bumping Bumrah, who responded by pounding his chest and shouting something unintelligible but full of fire. The crowd roared, feeding off the team's energy.

The match pressed on, and the Indian team's energy was electric after Travis Head's dismissal. As the match reached its final stages, the Indian team was riding high on momentum, the atmosphere was electric, the crowd roaring with anticipation. With every passing over, India's dominance over the Australian team became clearer.

Harshit Rana, the debutant, had been given the ball to bowl in the final stages, his heart racing as he took his mark. The young pacer had been quietly building his confidence throughout the game, and now, with the match nearing its end, he was given the task of sealing the deal.

On his third delivery, Harshit unleashed a ball that bowled out Alex Carrey. India had won by a massive 295 runs, a commanding victory in the first match of the series. It was a triumph not only for the team but also for a new chapter under Bumrah's captaincy. The players surged toward Harshit, their embraces and words of encouragement marking the perfect end to his stunning debut performance.

Bumrah stood at the center of it all, a mixture of relief and pride lighting up his face. His first match as captain had been nothing short of spectacular, and the joy in his teammates' eyes affirmed it. As the crowd roared, his emotions spilled over in the form of smiles and handshakes, a rare but cherished sight.

Virat and Rahul, along with the others, rushed to him, enveloping him in a massive hug that exuded camaraderie. As the huddle broke and the players began walking back to the dugout, Bumrah glanced at Virat with a knowing look. "Bhaiya, you are going to lead right?" he asked.

Virat, ever the character, laughed and gave him a playful shove. "You're the captain, Booms. Own it," he said, his voice filled with pride and sincerity.