June 15, 2017 | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Champions Trophy – Knockout: India vs Sri Lanka
Morning Light and Murmurs
Sophia Gardens was deceptively quiet at dawn. The outfield sparkled with dew, and the River Taff flowed silently past. But the Indian camp wasn't silent.
Inside the dressing room, Ishaan Verma sat with headphones on — not listening to music, but to silence. White noise. An anchor in the flood.
His last innings — a rash 11 — had prompted headlines that clawed like broken glass:
"Too young, too wild."
"One hook shot doesn't make a hero."
"The weight of blue is heavier than red."
Today, though, wasn't about proving them wrong.
It was about proving something to himself.
The Stakes
It was knockout cricket now. Win, and a spot in the final awaited. Lose, and the journey ended here.
Kohli had won the toss again. India would bat first.
The Oval might've had grandeur, but Sophia Gardens had intimacy. The crowd was packed in tighter. The Indian flags, louder.
Team Sheet
India XI:
Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli (C)
Ishaan Verma
MS Dhoni (wk)
Yuvraj Singh
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Umesh Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka XI:
Niroshan Dickwella
Danushka Gunathilaka
Kusal Mendis
Angelo Mathews (C)
Asela Gunaratne
Thisara Perera
Dinesh Chandimal
Suranga Lakmal
Nuwan Pradeep
Lasith Malinga
Akila Dananjaya
The First Blow
India started decently, but just as partnerships seemed to settle, Sri Lanka struck. Malinga had his tail up.
Over 13.5 – Malinga to Kohli
Out! Kohli chops on.
India: 79/2
Verma stood up, helmet in hand. The boo from one section of the crowd hit him first — faint, but unmistakable.
He exhaled.
Inner Monologue:
They're not booing me. They're booing what they think I am.
He stepped out into the arena.
Ishaan Verma at the Crease
14.1 – Lakmal to Verma
Good length. Ishaan lets it go.
14.2 – Lakmal to Verma
Short. He sways.
14.3 – Lakmal to Verma
Fuller. Ishaan taps to cover.
Stump Mic:
Lakmal: "Still thinking about last match, eh?"
Ishaan didn't respond.
The First Shot
16.4 – Dananjaya to Verma
Flighted on middle. Ishaan dances down, meets it on the half-volley, and lifts it over mid-off.
FOUR.
The crowd roared. A corner of the stadium began a chant:
"Ver-ma! Ver-ma!"
He didn't smile. Just tapped his bat twice and got ready.
Partnership Blooms – Dhoni Joins
With India 104/3, MS Dhoni walked in. The old lion with calm eyes.
Stump Mic (Dhoni, as he arrives):
"One ball at a time. We've got this."
Verma (quietly):
"Not rushing. Not today."
Ball-by-Ball Highlights
Over 22.2 – Perera to Verma
Back of a length. Ishaan pulls behind square.
FOUR.
23.5 – Akila to Verma
Drifting in. Ishaan reverse-sweeps!
FOUR more.
25.1 – Malinga returns
Short and sharp.
Verma hooks!
Clean. Controlled. Flat over square leg.
SIX!
🎙️ Commentary (Sanjay Manjrekar):
"That's not recklessness. That's rhythm. And more importantly — respect for the moment."
Mid-Innings
India: 198/3 in 33 overs
Verma: 64(51)
Dhoni: 38(43)
Between Overs – The Dialogue
Dhoni:
"No need to reach for the glory ball. Let it come."
Verma:
"This time I know. Pressure isn't noise."
Dhoni:
"No?"
Verma (eyes sharp):
"It's clarity."
The Crowd Turns
The earlier murmurs had now transformed.
Chants broke out across the stands:
"Ishaan! Ishaan!"
Children held up signs: "The Hook King."
Even Virat, from the balcony, nodded quietly.
The Dismissal
39.2 – Lakmal to Verma
Wide yorker. Ishaan tries to carve it past point — edges to the keeper.
Gone for 91 (72).
Helmet off. Bat raised. No roar. Just applause. Loud. Long. Earned.
India Finish Strong
Dhoni pushes on. Pandya smashes late. India posts 321/6.
Sri Lanka Collapse
Under lights, India's bowlers dominate.
Bhuvi 3 wickets.
Bumrah 2.
Jadeja 1, and a run-out from nowhere.
Sri Lanka bowled out for 237.
Post-Match Presentation
Man of the Match: Ishaan Verma
Anchor:
"From 11 to 91. What changed in four days?"
Verma (pausing, then smiling):
"Pressure is not noise. Pressure is clarity."
Later That Night – Balcony Scene
Ishaan stood alone, holding his bat upright like a staff. Below, fans waited outside the team hotel — hundreds of them, waving, singing.
His phone buzzed:
"Knew you'd answer back. Proud of you. – V"
Another message:
"Watched the whole thing. Clarity looks good on you. – E"
He smiled. The first real smile in days.
Then quietly, he tapped the balcony railing and whispered:
"For you, Dad."