*Colombo, Sri Lanka — April 2007*
The moment Ishaan stepped off the aircraft in Colombo, he was hit by the ocean-salted breeze that carried a different kind of humidity than Mumbai. It felt denser, heavier — as if the air itself was weighing expectations on his young shoulders. The welcome wasn't glamorous: a basic BCCI bus, a guide with broken Hindi, and a hotel room that smelled faintly of mothballs and bleach. But to Ishaan, this was nothing short of sacred ground.
He was representing India.
Even if it was the U-14 level, the jersey said "India" across his chest, and that alone turned his heartbeat into a drumline.
The Youth Asia Invitational was set to be a five-match limited-over tournament between India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and a joint team of UAE and Oman. The locals treated it like a serious event. Grounds were packed. School kids in uniforms cheered every delivery. Families came out with flags. And the Sri Lankan press had begun calling India's young squad "Tendulkar's Sons."
The team coach, a stocky ex-Ranji player named Mr. Keshav Rao, was strict and demanding. "Forget the jerseys and dreams," he told them on day one. "Focus on your footwork. Win the game, not the camera."
Ishaan, paired again with Rudra Singh, now had his eyes locked on consistency.
---
The first match was against Bangladesh.
It was played at the Premadasa Stadium under a blazing sun. India batted first. Ishaan opened with a cautious but effective 42 off 60 balls. He anchored while others collapsed, showing maturity beyond his years. Rudra later chipped in with a late cameo, and India posted 196.
Ishaan's confidence grew not from boundaries, but from every leave outside off stump, every call for a tight single, and every stare back at the bowler.
India won the match by 27 runs. Ishaan was awarded 'Player of the Match.'
"Don't let it get to your head," said Coach Rao after handing him the medal. "Let it get into your bat."
---
The second match brought the real test.
Sri Lanka.
The hosts were loud, agile, and aggressive. Their captain, Nuwan Perera, was a prodigy in the making — tall, fast, and famous in Colombo's cricket circles. He bowled over 130 kmph at age 14.
Before the match, while warming up, Nuwan passed by Ishaan and whispered, "Hope you brought extra gloves, Indian boy. Your hands will be sore."
Ishaan didn't react.
The stadium was packed with local students, all chanting, "Lanka! Lanka! Lanka!" with thunderclaps. It was the first time Ishaan felt truly away from home.
India lost the toss. Sri Lanka chose to bowl.
The first ball from Nuwan was short and vicious. Ishaan ducked. The second was a sharp bouncer that kissed his helmet grill.
The crowd roared.
Ishaan stood up, patted his helmet, and walked toward square leg. He whispered to himself, "Watch the ball. Not the noise."
The third ball was pitched up.
Ishaan drove it straight past the bowler. Four runs. Silence in the stands.
Over the next 10 overs, Ishaan played what Coach Rao would later call "a clinic in composure." He weathered the storm, flicked off his pads, and rotated strike with surgical calm.
He scored 71 runs before being trapped LBW by a sharp off-break.
India, however, lost by 3 wickets.
---
Back at the hotel, Ishaan lay on his bed staring at the ceiling fan.
Rudra, flipping channels on the TV, suddenly said, "You're becoming a target."
Ishaan turned. "What do you mean?"
"Some guys don't like how fast you're rising. There's talk... someone's been messing with your kit."
Ishaan frowned. "Who?"
Rudra shrugged. "No idea. Just be careful."
---
It didn't take long to find out.
During the warm-up for the third match against UAE-Oman XI, Ishaan found his inner thigh guard missing. His boots were laced in reverse, and worst of all, his bat was damp — someone had poured water into the grip sleeve.
Rudra's eyes darkened. "That's sabotage."
Ishaan looked across the dressing room. Among the suspects, one name stood out: **Kartik Sharma**, another top-order batter, who had been benched ever since Ishaan's arrival. Jealousy wasn't new in team sports — but malice was.
Coach Rao called them in.
"Ishaan, you okay to bat?"
"Yes, sir."
"You sure?"
"Yes, sir."
---
With borrowed pads and a backup bat, Ishaan opened once more.
What followed was a masterclass in defiance. Every run was a punch against doubt, every boundary a response to betrayal.
He scored 84 off 75 balls.
India won convincingly.
Back in the dressing room, Kartik avoided his gaze. Rudra, watching closely, leaned in and whispered, "He knows you know."
Ishaan replied, "Then let him know I don't care. I'll speak with runs."
---
India won the fourth match against Oman easily. Ishaan contributed a quick 36, but let others shine.
Now came the final: **India vs Sri Lanka**, once again at Premadasa. The crowd was even louder. The stakes, even higher.
Before walking out, Ishaan received a call from Meera.
"He's watching the live feed," she said. "Your father. He hasn't moved from the TV."
Ishaan closed his eyes and breathed deep.
"I'll make him proud."
---
The final was tense.
Sri Lanka batted first and posted 221.
India began poorly — 2 down for 12 runs.
Ishaan walked in at number three. The moment he stepped on the pitch, the crowd started chanting, "Helmet boy! Helmet boy!" — mocking his earlier knock.
He smiled.
Then silenced them.
A partnership with Rudra — 98 runs.
A series of sweeps, reverse pulls, and cover drives.
And then came the moment — a searing yorker from Nuwan.
Ishaan dug it out and ran.
Not just for the run. For everything — his father, his coach, his home.
He finished on 92 not out.
India lifted the trophy.
---
During the medal ceremony, as Ishaan stood holding the cup, a camera zoomed in on his face. Tears rolled down.
Rudra nudged him. "Emotional?"
Ishaan nodded. "He saw me today. That's all I wanted."