The GOAT of Cricket

Harare Sports Club — July 2016 | 3rd ODI

The African sun glared down on Harare, defiant and unwavering. A warm wind rustled through the jacaranda trees beyond the pavilion. The final ODI of the series wasn't just another bilateral game now — it had become something more. Something personal. A stage for closure. A canvas for something seismic.

India led 2–0.

But for Ishaan Verma, this wasn't about sealing a whitewash.

This was about making sure the world remembered his name.

"Let's Chase This."

Inside the Indian dressing room, Coach Ravi Shastri stood before the squad, a whiteboard behind him marked with Zimbabwe's batting zones.

"We're going to chase today," he said firmly. "We've batted first twice. Time to show what we do under lights, under pressure."

He paused.

"I want fire. I want patience. I want someone to finish this like a champion."

Across the room, Ishaan looked up.

Dhoni caught the glance and gave him the faintest nod.

"You ready?"

Ishaan tightened the tape on his fingers. "Always."

Zimbabwe's Best Punch

Zimbabwe batted like they had nothing to lose.

Sean Williams was calculated — 72 off 83 balls, gliding and grafting. Craig Ervine added flare — 61 off 53, dancing down the track and thumping spinners into the stands.

India's bowlers toiled.

Chahal was tidy. Bumrah fought for rhythm. Kulkarni took wickets, but leaked runs.

By the 50th over, Zimbabwe had posted 263/8 — their best total in the series.

Inside the Indian camp, it was silent. Not tense. Just focused.

Ishaan was in his corner, gloving up.

His bat — a New Balance with a fresh sky-blue grip — sat on his thigh. His wristband had a faded scrawl on the inside:

"Get up. Take guard again." — Dada

Live from Harare: The Chase Begins

1st Over

India 4/0

Madziva to Dhawan. Gentle outswing. Four runs through point. Ishaan watches from the non-striker's end, eyes narrowed, pupils tracking wrist positions, seam angles.

2nd Over

Ishaan Takes Strike.

Chatara to Ishaan. Full.

Step. Lift.

A lofted drive straight over the sightscreen. One bounce four.

Next ball: middle and leg.

Whip through midwicket.

Boundary again.

Stump mic catches Dhawan mutter, "He's not easing into this."

Fire to Flame

10th Over

India 68/0

Ishaan 43 (25)

Commentary box:

"Everything this kid touches turns to gold. That square cut? Surgical. That pull shot? Audacious."

11th Over

Short from Jongwe.

Ishaan rocks back — pulls flat. The ball races like a bullet to deep square. SIX.

Fifty off 28 balls.

No celebration. Just a look up to the sky and a tap to the wristband.

Mid-Innings Madness

19th Over

India 129/0

Ishaan 73*

Dhawan 50*

Dhawan finally falls in the 28th — caught at cover trying to force the pace. Rahul replaces him.

Ishaan? Unmoved.

Raza brings himself on. A floater.

Ishaan dances down the track — clean as daylight — and sends it over extra cover for six.

KL Rahul walks over. "Want to slow it down?"

Ishaan smirks. "Not yet."

100 Incoming

38th Over

Ishaan 99*

Commentators holding their breath. Crowd on its feet. Even Zimbabwean fans are clapping.

Chatara runs in.

Ball on off stump.

Ishaan leans, flicks…

Wide of fine leg.

Century No. 2.

103* off 91 balls.

No roar. Just arms raised, eyes skyward. A kiss to the wristband. A deep breath.

The dressing room erupts.

Dhoni stands. Rohit claps. Kohli — watching live from Mumbai — tweets:

"This guy is different. Pure composure. That's how legends begin."

The Final Over

India need 9 off 12.

Ishaan on 118*

KL Rahul 34*

Brandon Mavuta runs in.

Ball one: good length. Rahul nudges a single.

Ball two: full.

Ishaan steps across the stumps.

Launches.

The ball sails over long-on.

Game.

Series.

Statement.

124* off 97 balls.

India win by 7 wickets.

India sweep the series 3–0.

The Dressing Room

The team surrounds him. Dhoni hugs him tight.

"That was Kohli-level chase management," he says.

Then winks.

"Maybe better."

Ishaan shakes his head, grinning. "Still learning."

Player of the Match.

Player of the Series.

The Press Conference

Microphones in his face.

Journalists snapping questions.

"You've played three ODIs. Two centuries. Are you India's next white-ball superstar?"

Ishaan takes a sip of water.

Then calmly says:

"I'm not here to be the next anyone.

I'm just making sure the door knows I'm knocking.

Arrival takes time."

The Message

That night, in his hotel room, Harare glowing outside the window, he plays a voice note from Meera.

"Beta…

I still can't believe what I saw.

I made poha during your innings.

Just like your first school match.

Dada would've cried.

I did. Twice."

He listens.

Then listens again.

A Note to Self

Before sleep, he scribbles in his notebook:

"This wasn't noise.

This was thunder.

And this storm isn't stopping."

The Harare Hurricane had announced himself.

And the cricketing world?

They were only just starting to listen.