Hey guys 👋🏻

Thank you for choosing to read this story

I'm really glad to see that this story has got 5K+ views and over 500 votes already.

A big thank you to all the amazing readers who've been so supportive since the start of this book.

So I was thinking about updating a new chapter in about five or six days (whenever possible) instead of waiting for an entire week. Thoughts?

I was so glad after seeing this Dhoni-Jaddu moment because it was a good answer to all those rumours about a rift between the two of them

https://youtu.be/7cbGTEYinSI

Though these old ones are just as amazing

https://youtu.be/jNSotOarJ-0

Also please don't mind me because I'm still on a high from this year's IPL final #WhistlePodu

The above song is 'Zidd' from the movie 'Rashmi Rocket'

If you like this story then please vote, comment and share with your friends

~~~~~~~

So the Under-19 World Cup is approaching.

What does this mean for Siya?

~~~~~~~

Almost a year later, the team was finally ready for the Under-19 World Cup that was due to take place in February 2018.

The final squad was announced in December with Prithvi being named as the captain of the team and Shubman was announced to be his deputy.

The boys were all fired up and ready to create history by winning the tournament to make India the first country to win four Under-19 World Cups.

India had ended their last Under-19 World Cup campaign as Runners Up, after losing to West Indies in the finals.

Siya was extremely excited to watch her friends and especially her best friend play for their country in the event.

On the last day of their training camp, the kids all played football together with their coach, who couldn't say no to his kids.

Dravid smiled as he watched Siya play football just as fiercely as her older brother, who was definitely one of the best footballers in the Indian Cricket Team.

https://youtu.be/Aa30E0ChIVc

(Here are some clips of MSD playing football in a charity game. I think we can all agree that he is pretty amazing.)

Siya went back home after the boys left to New Zealand for the World Cup, after promising to watch all their matches and staying in touch with them.

Shubman promised to visit Siya after the tournament and jokingly added that he would even call her every day because his days wouldn't feel complete without listening to his best friend's chatter.

Siya punched her best friend's arm, before they hugged each other laughing because they both knew that Shubman wasn't completely wrong when he implied that Siya was a chatterbox.

~~~~~~~

The boys did well at the Under-19 World Cup with Shubman being awarded with the 'Player of the Tournament' for his excellent performance with the bat throughout the tournament.

https://youtu.be/41dRU2x6K2c

Gill's 102* (102 not out) knock against the arch rivals Pakistan in the semi-finals was praised by many great players of Indian Cricket.

https://youtu.be/QtFzxN78_ws

Siya cheered for her best friend while watching his matches and talked to him after every match, always telling him how proud she was of him.

After the Boys in Blue won their fourth title, Shubman opted to stay alone for some time, feeling a little down because he hadn't scored much in the final.

Siya had a chat with him and made her stupid best friend realise that even if he hadn't contributed much in the final match, he had done a great job in leading his team to the final.

Dravid also had a chat with the rising star of his team and explained to him that it wasn't important that he would always contribute with the bat in each and every match because sometimes even the opposition bowlers could do well.

Shubman felt much better after having a chat with his best friend and coach, so he finally joined his team for the celebrations.

~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Siya was having another fantastic season with the bat and the team's performance as a whole was also better than the previous years.

Mahi was extremely happy to see his sister play more maturely, whenever her team needed it and thanks his Jammy Bhai profusely for helping his sister.

Upon hearing this Jammy Bhai simply says, "Is Siyu not my sister? You don't have to thank me for doing my best to help my little sister."

Mahi felt blessed for having such wonderful brothers who had accepted Siya as their own little sister, just like he had.

~~~~~~~

Siya performed extremely well in the domestic season before getting ready for the comeback of CSK.

Her brother had been busy forming the perfect team with the managers and she couldn't wait to get back to the yellow army.

The team management hadn't realised that the team formed by them was full of older players and the team was jokingly dubbed to be the 'Daddy's Army' online because the average age of their squad was over 30.

Surprisingly none of the CSK members realised this, until it became viral online because they were just concentrating on making a good team with both talent and experience to ensure a good comeback season for them.

Siya had complete faith in her brother's abilities and she couldn't wait for the IPL season to start.

https://youtu.be/5WR1OC8b3Ko

(I really liked to hear Mr. Cricket talk about MSD)

https://youtu.be/OOMWAPOREa4

(Being a proud MSDian, how can I ignore this moment? BTW below is a little artwork made by me)

~~~~~~~

Shubman had been picked by KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) at the IPL auction because of his excellent performance during the Under-19 World Cup.

Siya watched all the matches of KKR and cheered for her best friend, unless his team happened to be playing against her brother's team.

Shubman scored his maiden IPL fifty in the match against CSK, while Siya constantly grumbled about how unfair it was because she couldn't even be happy for her best friend because he was scoring against her brother's team.

https://youtu.be/ecuJHNvmoeo

Sakshi couldn't help but laugh at her sister's expense because she was acting extremely childish before trying to distract her with Ziva, who once again had the sudden urge to hug her father during the match.

https://youtu.be/xwOwv_3STLs

(This was such a cute moment)

KKR won the match which puts Siya in an unpleasant mood, but after going back to the hotel she ensures that she has her regular video call with her best friend.

Shubman was quite surprised to see his best friend look so excited and says, "Are you alright? You're usually very quiet when CSK loses a match."

Siya smiles and replies, "To be honest, I am a little sad about the match result today. But there's also the fact that my best friend just smashed his maiden IPL fifty today and that's something worth celebrating. I couldn't celebrate properly during the match, but I can be super happy about it now. Shubi, you were just amazing today."

Just then Ziva comes running inside the room and excitedly jumps into Siya's lap screaming, "Bui" (Bui is just a cute wayof saying Bua which is your father's sister. PS: I used to call me Bua as Buibefore I learnt how to say it properly.)

Shubman smiles upon seeing this and says, "Hi Zivu"

Ziva then notices the laptop screen and replies, "Hi Buddy. You played very nice today. Even Papa was happy to see you play like that."

Shubman looks a bit surprised and asks, "Really?"

Siya replies, "Obviously. Bhaiya cares the most about the future of Indian Cricket."

Shubman says, "I know that, but still it's kind of surreal. Bhaiya toh has seen me play with you also during our training camp."

Siya replies, "I know and he also says that you will grow to be a calm player in the future. Bhaiya believes that you have a calming effect on the players around you, which is very helpful for a team in difficult situations."

Shubman comments, "Must be the reason why no one in his team gets really stressed as long as your brother stays in the crease."

Siya replies, "Well I don't know about his teams, but he has definitely helped me a lot by just being there."

Ziva whines, "Someone talk to me also."

Shubman chuckles and says, "I'm sorry Ziva, we didn't mean to ignore you. Tell me, have you been having fun in the stadium?"

Ziva smiles widely and replies, "I like to cheer for Papa and dance with Bui. Gracia and I run around together, when Bui goes to Papa and Sonu Chachu. Gracia also likes playing with Bui, so the three of us mostly play together."

Shubman asks, "So, is Gracia your best friend now? You forgot about us already?"

Ziva cutely replies, "You and Bui are my forever best friends. Gracia and I toh became friends now only na. You should also come to meet Gracia then all of us will play together."

Shubman says, "I'll plan something soon. I am in a different team na, so I will have to take permission from my captain first."

Ziva replies, "You just come here. Papa will handle everything else."

Siya says, "Zivu, you only say that we should always follow the rules right? Shubi needs to follow the rules set by his team."

Ziva pouts sadly but understands what her Bui was trying to explain to her.

Shubman feels bad upon seeing her expression and says, "How about I talk to my captain and come to meet you all tomorrow? I'll try to convince him to let me go out to meet my best friend."

Ziva instantly perks up, while Siya replies, "Don't tell Shivam anything otherwise he'll start teasing us again. Seriously, your teammates need to understand that a boy and a girl can be best friends."

Shubman nods and says, "I'll try my best. Okay so now good night, because I really need to sleep."

Siya and Ziva reply, "Good night and sleep tight"

Ziva also sends a flying kiss to her Buddy, before they cut the call.

~~~~~~~

The next day, Shubman talks to his captain about going out to meet his best friend, which is unfortunately heard by Shivam.

Dinesh Karthik (DK), the captain of KKR, decides to give the youngster permission to go out, when Shivam comes up to them and teasingly asks, "Wow Shub, you didn't go to meet your Siyu till now?"

DK looks confused and asks, "You also know his best friend?"

Shivam nods and replies, "Yes DK Bhai. Everyone from the Under-19 team knows his best friend. I think even you would be knowing about her."

DK looks confused and asks, "How can I possibly know his best friend?"

Shubman replies, "Bhai, my best friend's name is Siya and I'm going to the CSK team hotel to meet her."

DK finally understands and asks, "Siya, as in Mahi's younger sister?"

Shubman nods in response, while DK smiles and continues, "Well then do give Mahi my regards and come back on time."

Shubman replies, "Thank you Bhai."

Shivam continues to tease his teammate and friend, while Shubman gets ready to leave for the CSK team hotel.

Siya was waiting in the lobby for her best friend when he arrived and immediately launches herself at him the moment he enters.

Just then Ziva comes and pulls them both to the play area for all the kids, where they all play together with the other kids.

Shubman greets Sakshi and Mahi, before being pulled back by Ziva to meet her new best friend.

~~~~~~~

At the end of the IPL season, everyone was talking about CSK's fairy tale comeback after the ban of two years.

https://youtu.be/0LyAtyGRy2s

(This video was just so perfect)

Siya was the happiest to see CSK shut the mouths of all the online trollers and critics, who had claimed that the 'Daddy's Army' would not perform well against all the youngsters.

https://youtu.be/1oqKNSlpVvk

After the match, Mahi got a few pictures clicked with his team before going to his daughter, who had run onto the field screaming for him.

(This was just too cute to ignore)

After the main photo session was over, Siya also joined her brother and her niece on the field.

Mahi holds both of his girls close to his chest, feeling blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Later Sakshi also joins them for a few photos with the trophy as a family.

https://youtu.be/FAWY3a0-YJ8

(This was just the most perfect comeback for any team)

~~~~~~~

Mahi spent some quality time with his family after the IPL was over, before leaving for another tour with the Indian Team.

Siya played many local club matches in her free time, while also working hard on her academics.

Women's cricket didn't have many domestic tournaments throughout the year, so it was easier for Siya to complete her studies without many interruptions.

Ziva would also sit with her Bui sometimes to study because her mother wanted her to learn a few things before she started going to school regularly.

Siya had managed to clear her tenth standard exams at a much younger age without much hassle, something her brother was the most proud of.

Sakshi was quite surprised when her little sister insisted on taking science subjects for her further studies, despite the demanding nature of her sports related commitments.

Siya had argued that she didn't want to study something that didn't interest her, just because it would be easier to manage with her sports career.

Mahi as usual took his sister's side and agreed to help out in any way that he could to ensure that Siya would get a good education.

Sakshi had made arrangements for their little sister and the young girl was on her way to become one of the youngest students to attempt the twelfth standard board exams.

~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the selection committee of the Indian Women's Cricket Team had a meeting with both the captains of the Indian side: Mithali Raj, captain of India in ODIs (One Day Internationals) and Tests, along with Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India in T20Is (Twenty 20 Internationals).

The head of the selection committee says, "So we have brought in a new young top order batter, Shafali Verma, in the T20I format and I think that she will soon be ready to make the transition to other formats as well. We don't have a lot of middle order batters and I've noticed that many times Jhulan needs to do a lot of hitting in the last few overs for the team."

Harman replies, "I agree. Jhulan Di needs to contribute with the bat many times when the top order fails. We need to strengthen our batting line up and maybe look for a player that can take up the role of a finisher."

A member of the selection committee says, "It's a good thought but no one would want to take up the role of a finisher because of all the pressure that comes with it. Looking for a power hitter to compliment Harman would be a better idea."

The head asks, "Do any of you have a player in mind for this role?"

Mithali looks at the table thoughtfully and replies, "There is one young girl I have seen at the NCA. She was training with the Under-19 boys team, which recently won the World Cup. I saw her hit quite a few big shots with the boys bowling to her. The girl seemed to be much younger than the boys, but the way she was hitting the ball has me convinced that she is a very special player."

Harman adds, "Jhulan Di has also mentioned one young girl in the Jharkhand team that she has been seeing for a few years now. That girl wears the jersey number 7 and bats fearlessly, regardless of who is bowling to her. Di couldn't find much about her and Jharkhand has never made it past the group stage, so none of us have seen her play either."

Another member says, "We'll have a chat with the Jharkhand Cricket Board and try to find out more about the girl Jhulan has mentioned. As for the girl mentioned by Mithali, I think the senior BCCI officials must be knowing about her if you saw her training with the Under-19 boys."

The head nods and replies, "We'll find out about these players and get their credentials to you as soon as possible."

A member says, "About the player from Jharkhand, I think I've heard the state board members mentioning that they had spotted her playing at local clubs with boys. If you all don't have a problem, then some of us could take a trip down there and watch her in action."

Mithali replies, "Please go and scout for different players like this. Who knows how many players might not be getting the spotlight they deserve, just because they play from teams that don't usually make it to the later stages of the tournaments?"

Harman adds, "We have a domestic event coming up so please scout players from different teams regardless of how their team performs."

The selections committee agrees and decides to start scouting more players from all the teams that would be playing in the upcoming domestic event.

~~~~~~~

Siya is clearly making her mark in the world of cricket.

Shouldn't be long before she gets her maiden call-up.

Let me know what you guys think ✍🏻

Please vote ⭐