A/N: Bonus Chapter! 100 PS ♦️ Milestone
🥳 "OMG! We did it! 🔥 A massive thank you to everyone who supported this novel with 100 power stones! I'm genuinely overwheld by the love for Rocky Rudra.
As promised, here is a special bonus chapter just for you..🫡
And, If you like the story, rember to give a review. It'll motivate to continue with sa passion ✌️😁
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The Rajasthan Royals' chase had been a funeral procession from the very first over.
Chasing 237, the pressure of the scoreboard, and the psychological scarring from Rocky's innings was too much.
They crumbled for 142.
Post match Presentation.
The Star Cricket presentation backdrop was set up on the lush Jaipur grass.
Ravi Shastri stood there, microphone in hand, looking like he was ready to announce a heavyweight champion.
Ravi Shastri: "First, let's have the man who led the winning side today, Rohit Sharma."
"Rohit, a clinical performance. But let's talk about that opening stand. 155 in 12 overs... did you expect that?"
Rohit Sharma replied with a grin, "To be honest, Ravi, we knew Rocky was special from the nets, in IPL he proved it, but what he did tonight was... it was sothing else. He didn't just play those amazing shots. He took the ga away in the first six overs. When you have soone batting like that, my job becos very easy. It's a great start for us."
After two three questions, Rohit left then Ravi Shastri called the RR captain.
Ravi Shastri: "And the legendary Rahul Dravid. Rahul, tough night in the office. Is there any way to bowl to a kid who is playing like that?"
Rahul Dravid with a gracious, tired smile, "You have to give credit where it's due. We had plans, we had match-ups, but Rocky just bypassed all of them. He played with a lot of freedom and, more importantly, a lot of courage. It's good for Indian cricket to see such fearless talent coming through."
A very typical Dravid response.
He was both happy and sad at the sa ti.
___
Ravi Shastri: "Now, for the main event. 135 runs from 50 balls, and a global debut that has left the world rubbing its eyes. Co here, Rocky Rudra!"
Rocky walked up, looking remarkably composed despite the sweat soaking his jersey.
He took the trophy and the cheque for $1,000, his face remained steady, but still offered a small smile for the cara.
After the click, he took the mic as Ravi Shastri was urging him.
Ravi Shastri: "Rocky, welco to the big ti! The world is talking about your 24-run over against Watson. But before you went out, the caras caught a very intense mont. Ricky Ponting had you by the shoulder, and he looked like he was ready to go out and bat himself. What was the Punter saying to you?"
Rudra took a breath before looking toward Ponting, who was watching with a smirk, he responded with a serious tone:
"He... he was challenging , Ravi. He asked why I was restraining myself. He asked if I was being a shy kid because of the dia or the nas around . He reminded to stop being that kid who refused to show myself and told to, 'Go and show yourself. Bring that fire within you to the middle. Don't play for the crowd, play for the belief, why you started playing cricket...' I just followed his advice honestly..I think I'm liking it already."
Ravi Shastri: "Well, you certainly didn't look shy out there! 9 sixes! Do you have a ssage for the fans?"
Rudra voice softened for a split second, as he added:
"I just want to say to my Sujit Sir and my Grandma... this is just starting. This is for all the nights we stayed awake. Thank you."
Ravi Shastri: "Ladies and gentlen, rember the na! Rocky Rudra! Mumbai Indians win the opener by 95 runs!"
___
As Rocky walked back to the dressing room, big boy Polly puts an arm around his shoulder, whispering a joke that made Rocky finally let out a genuine laugh.
Behind them, the Jaipur crowd was still chanting his na.
In the shadows of the dugout, Ricky Ponting crossed his arms, looking at the scoreboard one last ti.
He didn't need to say anything anymore.
His job was done. Now, it's all upto the guy himself.
The "Shy Kid" was gone. The "Rudra" had taken over.
___
The 95-run margin didn't even tell half the story.
As the fireworks erupted over the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Rajasthan Royals fans were filtering out in a daze, while the Mumbai supporters were busy hijacking the Jaipur nightlife.
Outside the stadium, a group of college students huddled around a tea stall, their faces illuminated by their phone screens as they refreshed Twitter.
A Fan, wearing a Rajasthan's Jersey:
"I'm not even mad, yaar. How do you stop that? I saw Watson's face after that third six, the man looked like he wanted to ask for an early retirent. He wasn't just hitting the ball. He was disrespecting the law of gravity!"
Another fan, wearing Mumbai jersey: "Disrespecting? He was rewriting the syllabus! Did you see that back-foot punch off Faulkner? My father used to talk about Sachin's straight drive, but this kid... he's got that Aussie 'arrogance' in his hands. He's not a debutant, he's a glitch in the matrix!"
A Neutral fan: "Everyone was talking about his 1,145 runs in red-ball, and I thought, 'Okay, he's a grinder.' But 135 off 50? Against Dravid's tactical field? It's like he was playing a video ga on 'Easy' mode while everyone else was on 'Difficult mode'."
___
Post-Match Analysis:
The caras were still rolling as Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Gavaskar walked onto the pitch to inspect the damage Rocky had done.
Sourav Ganguly: "Look at these marks on the pitch, Sunny. He was batting so far outside the crease against the fastest bowlers. That takes more than just skill. It takes a massive amount of guts. I haven't seen an Indian debutant dominate an international-quality attack like this since... well, since a very long ti."
Sunil Gavaskar: "It's the stillness, Sourav. Even when Watson was steaming in at 145 clicks, Rocky's head didn't move an inch. The Ponting influence is clear, but the finishing, that flick of the wrists, is pure Indian flair. Dravid tried everything, short balls, wide yorkers, slower ones, and the boy had an answer for every single question."
"If he keeps this up and don't fall to early fa, I think India will get another world class play-" Dada stopped jinxing imdiately.
Sunny G added, not minding his words, "It's still too early to think about. Let him play red ball first and then we'll discuss this."
___
The internet had officially transitioned from "Who is Rocky?" to "Rocky is the King."
@virender_sihwag (parody): "Rocky Rudra didn't just open the batting. He opened the floodgates. 135(50) is serious hitting. Entertainnt at its best! #CLT20"
@OdishaCricketUpdates: "Cuttack to Jaipur. From a local field to global domination. The 'Impossible Centurion' has arrived. Tears in our eyes tonight! 🇮🇳💙"
@Trendulkar: "Imagine having Sachin, Rohit, Pollard...just imagine outscoring them in IPL and now again in CLT20. Mumbai scouts deserves a raise. #RockyRudra"
@Virat_Gang: "I have decided that Rocky Rudra is going to be 2nd fav after Virat. After IPL 2013, even I thought that he will be exposed when teams take him more seriously, after all it wasn't not rare for so to have an explosive season then disappeared like they never existed. And, from what I have seen, Rudra is here stay."
___
Inside the MI dressing room, the music was deafening, Mika Singh's tracks blaring from a portable speaker.
Harbhajan Singh was leading a dance circle, but Rocky was sitting in his stall, quietly packing his kits.
Sachin Tendulkar sat down on the bench next to him, handing him a bottle of water.
"You know, Rocky," Sachin said, his voice barely audible over the music, "The hardest part isn't hitting those sixes. It's coming back tomorrow and doing it again when the whole world expects it. But tonight? Tonight, you should be proud. I haven't seen Punter that happy since he won the World Cup."
Rocky looked up, finally letting the adrenaline fade into a weary, satisfied smile.
"I just didn't want to let the team down, Paaji."
Sachin laughed, a light, musical sound.
"Let us down? You just carried us on your shoulders in IPL and doing it again now. Go get so sleep. We have a flight to Ahdabad in six hours."
As Rocky walked toward the team bus, he saw Ricky Ponting leaning against the door, holding a printout of the match stats.
As Rocky passed, Punter didn't say a word, he just gave a sharp, single nod of approval.
For Rocky, that nod was worth more than the $1,000 cheque in his kit bag.
Don't forget that Ricky Ponting was his idol.
Typical fan behaviour.
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🚨 🚨 AN IMPORTANT NOTE 🚨 🚨
[ A/N: "I've been thinking about opening a P....atreon to help support my writing and keep this story going full-ti. If I do, I'd offer perks like early access to chapters (reading 5–10 chapters ahead of the public release), and a say in future plot points through polls. Would you be interested in supporting there? Please let know in the comnts or by dropping a ❤️!
Your feedback will help decide if I should move forward with it. Thanks for being such amazing readers!" ]
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