12th Man to Cricket Legend Chapter 22 22: Stats, awards and Reactions (883 words)

A/N: If you like the story, rember to give a review. It'll motivate to continue with sa passion ✌️😁

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The Buchi Babu Invitational was supposed to be a "warm-up" for the dostic season, but by the end of August 2013, it had turned into the "Rocky Roadshow."

What Rocky did in those two weeks defied the logic of red-ball cricket.

He didn't just break records.

He shattered the glass ceiling of what a "debutant" was allowed to achieve.

After the 214* against TNCA XI, Rocky didn't slow down.

He treated every state attack like a high-school team.

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In Quarter-Final - vs Hyderabad

Rocky's score were 188 & 72*

188 in just 140 balls. Hit 12 sixes off their spinners.

A 140-ball 188 in the first innings, followed by a quick 72* to bury any hope of a coback.

In Semi-Final - vs Karnataka

312. A triple-century in a two-day ga.

Surpassed the legendary Buchi Babu record for highest individual score in the tournant history.

In The Grand Final - vs Haryana

255 & 104*.

Scored a double century in the 1st innings and then a quick-fire unbeaten 60 balls ton in the 2nd to set an impossible target.

Tournant Total: 1,145 Runs in 4 matches.

Average: 286.25.

Records Broken:

Most runs in a single Buchi Babu season (previously held by legends with half that amount).

First player to score a 200 and a 300 in the sa invitational.

Fastest triple-century in Indian dostic history (unconfird officially due to invitational status, but widely reported).

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The newspapers in Mumbai and Odisha went into a literal printing war.

The Tis of India ran the headline:

"PUNTER'S PRODIGY: Is Rocky the Heir to the Number 4 Slot?"

Mid-Day splashed a picture of his signature pull shot across the front page with the caption:

"THE CHENNAI CHOKE: Rudra plunders 1,000 runs in 15 days."

Odia Daily (Samaja) printed a bold headline, which was on the front page:

"Odisha's Pride, Mumbai's Power: Rudra Rules the South."

On Twitter, the digital world was in a ltdown under #RudraTandava

The hashtag #RudraTandava and #TheNewPunter trended for three days straight.

@CricVikas: "Stop whatever you are doing. A kid from Odisha just scored 1,145 runs in the Buchi Babu. Ashwin, Mishra, and Chawla all went for 6 an over. This isn't cricket, this is a massacre. #BuchiBabu2013 #TheNewPunter"

@MumbaiCricketFan: "Move over everyone. We found him. He's got Ponting's pull, Sachin's straight drive, and the arrogance of a King. Mumbai Indians, you better open with him in the CLT20! 🏆"

@imVkholi (parody): "Incredible consistency from young Rocky in the Buchi Babu. Making red-ball batting look like a T20. Exciting tis ahead for Indian cricket! 👏"

@HarshaDhogle (Parody/Fan Account): "I've seen so innings in Chennai, but what we are seeing from young Rocky is sothing else. He isn't just hitting the ball. He's hitting the spirit of the bowlers. Electrifying!"

@UncleBen: "Petition to rena this tournant from Buchi Babu to Rocky Rudra tournant. #RockyTandava #TheNewPunter"

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(A/N: Uncle Ben, is that you? 😂😂)

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Mumbai lifted the trophy with a dominance that felt illegal.

They won every ga by an innings or 100 runs.

As Rocky walked into the final press conference, he was flanked by Pravin Amre and Abhishek Nayar.

"Rocky," a reporter yelled, "The dia is calling you 'The Impossible Centurion.' How do you respond to the 1,145 runs?"

Rocky didn't show much smile for the cara.

"The runs are just numbers," he said, his voice was determined. "I told my Grandma I'd stay committed to the path. The path led to the boundary today. That's all."

Amre leaned into the mic, his eyes sharp.

"We didn't just find a player. In Rocky, we found a system. He doesn't play for records. He plays to end the contest. And right now, in India, there is no contest."

As Rocky boarded the bus, his phone buzzed.

It was a ssage from Rohit Sharma:

"Phenonal work in Chennai, Rock. But another test starts now. Pack your bags for the CLT20 camp in 48 hours. You're opening with the Master. Don't be late. See you. "

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A/N: Two chapters for today because this is one is short. ✌️😚)

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