*United Arab Emirates, February 2014 — ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup*
The heat of Dubai wasn't just in the sun; it pulsed from the desert below, radiating through soles and skin. For Ishaan Verma, it felt like standing on a giant spotlight, one aimed by the gods of destiny. The ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup was finally here. And Ishaan wasn't just part of the squad anymore. He was opening the batting for India.
The Indian team had arrived a week in advance, settling into a luxury hotel near the Dubai Sports City complex. The bus rides from hotel to ground were short, but for Ishaan, each one felt like a meditation. He always sat by the window, headphones on, diary in his lap. Emma Watson's voice from an old UN speech often played in his ears—her resolve reminding him that there were battles bigger than the ones on the field. But this one—this tournament—was his war.
Coach Muralidharan had drilled them all through the pre-tournament camp. "Play your roles. Don't chase fame. Win sessions, win matches," he repeated like a mantra. But Ishaan knew something else too: World Cups create legacies. And he was ready to begin his.
---
### Group Stage: Match 1 vs. Canada
The opening match was played in Abu Dhabi. India batted first. The opposition didn't seem threatening on paper, but World Cups had a way of birthing upsets. Ishaan knew it too well to be complacent.
He took guard. The Indian jersey felt heavier under the glare of the cameras. The tricolour on his helmet shimmered in the desert light. His bat felt perfectly balanced.
First ball: a wide half-volley.
Ishaan leaned in and drove it past cover for four.
With that shot, the nerves vanished.
He went on to score 78 off 91 balls, filled with square cuts, on-drives, and the occasional paddle sweep. India posted 264. The bowlers cleaned up Canada for 112.
India had started strong. Ishaan had set the tone.
---
### Match 2 vs. Zimbabwe
The next match was trickier. Played on a used pitch at Sharjah, the ball held up a little, and Zimbabwean spinners were accurate. India was chasing a modest 192.
This time, Ishaan took a different approach. No flashy shots. Just time.
He built a partnership with Karthik Iyer—45 runs off 66 balls.
Then, he switched gears. Pulled the spinner for six. Danced down the track. A reverse sweep.
He ended with 62 not out.
India won by seven wickets.
Two matches, two wins. Ishaan was now second in the tournament's batting charts. The world had begun to notice.
---
### Between Matches
Evenings were quieter. The team had access to lounges, swimming pools, and game rooms, but Ishaan often skipped them. He preferred the terrace.
He would stand alone, watching the city lights of Dubai blink like distant stars.
One night, he called home.
Meera picked up. "We saw your knock. He would've been so proud."
"He is," Ishaan replied, voice steady.
Later that night, he opened his diary:
*The world is watching. But I'm still playing for one man, in one room, from one city. Mumbai.*
---
### Match 3 vs. Pakistan
The most anticipated clash.
India vs. Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. Tens of thousands in the crowd. Flags waving. Voices roaring.
India batted first.
The Pakistani new-ball pair were lethal. Swing. Bounce. And venom in their eyes.
Ishaan faced the first ball.
It swung in. Hit him on the pad.
Huge appeal. Turned down.
The very next delivery was a bouncer.
Ishaan swayed. Then smiled.
He had studied them. Knew their lengths. Trusted his footwork.
In the 4th over, he hooked one for six. In the 7th, he drove one on the up through extra cover.
Karthik Iyer fell early. But Ishaan stayed.
He played till the 39th over. 97 runs. Missed the century but won the war.
India posted 251. Defended it narrowly.
That night, hashtags trended:
**#HelmetBoy97**
**#VermaVsVenom**
He gave no interviews. Just shook hands and returned to his room.
Rudra messaged him: "That was war. And you were the sword."
---
### Quarter-Final vs. South Africa
Toughest opposition yet. The Proteas were unbeaten. Their bowling attack, fierce. Their captain, Reece Muller, a fast-bowling all-rounder who had already signed with a franchise T20 side.
Coach Muralidharan's pep talk was simple:
"Win this, and they will remember you."
India bowled first. Restricted SA to 214.
Ishaan walked in with intent.
He took a body blow from Muller. Smiled. Then punched the next one through midwicket.
The 50 came in 55 balls. The 100 took 108.
Ishaan remained unbeaten on 114.
India reached the semi-finals.
Media called it one of the finest knocks in U-19 World Cup history.
Emma Watson tweeted: \*"Inspiring to see young Indians rising. @ishaanverma97 That was a masterclass."
He stared at the screen for a long time.
Then closed it, opened his diary, and wrote:
*One day, I will meet her. But I want her to meet someone who earned it.*
---
### Semi-Final vs. New Zealand
The game was chaos.
India bowled first. NZ scored 278.
Ishaan started fluently. But in the 12th over, on 39, he was run out.
Karthik scored 63. Rudra played a blistering cameo. India won in the 49th over.
Ishaan was gutted. Not because of the score. But because he'd wanted to finish it.
Coach Muralidharan said, "Save the perfect knock for the final."
---
### Final vs. Australia
Dubai International Stadium was a sea of colour.
India vs. Australia.
World Cup Final.
Ishaan sat quietly before the toss. Taped his fingers slowly. Stared at his bat.
He remembered every gully game. Every net session. Every loss. Every rise.
India lost the toss. Australia batted.
Scored 241.
A tricky total.
Ishaan walked in. First over. Two dots. Then a boundary through square.
He built slowly. Left balls with precision. Punished the overpitched. Wore a bouncer on his chest.
The innings moved like a heartbeat: steady, intense, alive.
Wickets fell around him. Karthik was out for 19. Rudra tried to hang on but got a rough LBW call. At 120 for 4, the game hung in the balance.
Ishaan started farming the strike. Singles turned to twos. Dots were gold.
He reached fifty off 66 balls. Quietly raised his bat.
The pressure mounted.
In the 42nd over, India needed 55. Ishaan was on 81.
He accelerated. An inside-out loft over cover. A delicate late cut. A pull behind square.
In the 47th over, he reached 96.
A searing yorker from the Aussie quick bent his toe. He winced, limped, but didn't stop.
Two overs left. 14 to win.
He punched one past mid-off. Then glanced a full toss fine for four.
Last over. India needed 6. Ishaan on 99 at non striker's end.
First ball: single.
Second: dot.
Third: 2 runs.
Fourth: single.
Fifth ball. Two needed. Ishaan on 99.
Full. Straight.
He flicked it—timing it just past square leg.
Ball raced. Fielder chased. The crowd rose.
Boundary.
India won.
Ishaan dropped to his knees.
Final score: 103 not out.
A World Cup Final century.
Man of the Match. Player of the Tournament.
The stadium erupted.
Coach Muralidharan hugged him. "Now they will never forget."
---
That night, Ishaan called home.
Meera didn't speak. She was crying.
Rudra shouted, "You're a legend already, brother!"
Emma Watson had tweeted again:
\*"From books to bats. Ishaan Verma, your journey is poetry in motion. Congratulations, champion."
Ishaan finally smiled.
Later, he opened his father's letter again.
*When you score your first century for India, look up. I'll be there.*
Ishaan looked up.
The stars in Dubai sparkled harder than ever.
He whispered, "I did it, Dada. And this is just the beginning."