Chapter 2:Between Innings and Shadows
In the days leading up to next match, Ishan Kishan, an avid cricket fan and a civil engineer by profession, found himself engrossed in his work at the office.
Balancing the responsibilities of a civil engineer and the passion for cricket, Ishan made a decision. Reluctantly, he handed his match tickets to a colleague and expressed his disappointment.
Disappointed but determined, Ishan settled into his work, constantly refreshing the cricket score on his phone between his presentation plans and inspections. The tension of his mind seemed to mirror the anticipation building in the cricket stadium.
As Shubman Gill walked to the crease in the match, Ishan stole a moment to check the live updates. The pressure on Shubman was palpable, and Ishan couldn't help but wish he could be there to lend his vocal support.
As Shubman took his stance, Ishan muttered to himself, "Come on, Shubman, you've got this. Just like the last time."
However, fate had a different plan. The first ball of the match was a fiery delivery, and to everyone's surprise, Shubman got out early, caught behind. The stadium fell silent, and Ishan in the office let out a disappointed sigh.
In the stadium, the commentators couldn't help but mention Ishan's absence, adding a playful twist to the situation.
Ishan's colleagues and friend Dev and Avi in the office started teasing him as they witnessed Shubman's early dismissal.
Dev: "Hey Ishan, your lucky charm seems to have taken a day off today."
Avi: "Maybe you should have played hooky and joined him at the stadium, Ishan. Shubman needed you."
Back at the stadium, Shubman walked back to the pavilion, visibly frustrated. The teasing from his teammates began anew as they saw Ishan's absence affecting Shubman's performance.
Rohit Sharma, with a mischievous grin, called out, "Shubman, missing your number one fan today? Maybe we should organize a video call with that fan for the next match."
The dressing room erupted in laughter, and Shubman, trying to maintain composure, replied, "Yeah, yeah, very funny. Just wait for the next innings, and I'll show you all."
As the match progressed, Shubman's struggles continued. The opposition bowlers capitalized on his vulnerability, and he found it challenging to regain his rhythm. The TV screen in Ishan's office mirrored the disappointment on Shubman's face.
On the other side Dev and Avi also started teasing Ishan.
Dev : "Ishan, looks like your absence is really affecting Shubman's game today. Maybe you should consider taking a day off for the next match."
Avi: "Or at least send a cardboard cutout of yourself to the stadium. Shubman might need it."
As Shubman Gill got dismissed with a very poor run, Ishan Kishan, still at the office,didn't believe that his absence was affecting Shubman's game. Despite the teasing from Dev and Avi, Ishan refused to buy into the idea that he was Shubman's lucky charm.
Ishan: "Come on, guys. It's just a bad day for Shubman. I'm not some magical lucky charm."
Dev, smirking: "Well, the evidence seems to suggest otherwise. Maybe you should consider attending every match from now on."
Avi, laughing: "Ishan, you've got fans on the field as well. Shubman might need your virtual support."
In response, Ishan rolled his eyes but couldn't help but chuckle at the banter.
Undeterred by the day's events, Ishan decided to take matters into his own hands. He booked tickets for the next match, determined to prove that cricket outcomes weren't influenced by his physical presence.
On the other hand, social media platforms lit up with anticipation. Reels and memes started flooding Instagram and Twitter, depicting Ishan as Shubman's supposed lucky charm.
Some people already found out Ishan's Instagram handle and tagging him and Shubman in those post or reels.
Caption 1: "Ishan Kishan - The Unseen Lucky Charm. Can his virtual support turn the tide for Shubman in the next match?"
Caption 2: "Shubman's Struggles: Is Ishan's absence to blame? The office banter takes an unexpected turn."
People shared creative ideas for Ishan's virtual support, suggesting he wear a jersey at the office or bring a cardboard cutout of Shubman to the workplace.
The virtual banter spilled over into real-world actions as colleagues playfully encouraged Ishan to embrace his newfound role as Shubman's virtual lucky charm.
As the office banter continued, the virtual support for Shubman became a social media sensation. Fans started creating hashtags to track Ishan's influence on Shubman's performance, adding a touch of humor to the cricketing narrative.
Hashtag 1: #IshansLuckyCharm Hashtag 2: #ShubmanNeedsIshan
As the banter continued online, Shubman's PR team decided to showhim some of the reels and memes circulating on social media during the match break.
His manager, holding a phone: "Shubman, you've got to see this.This fan, Ishan and your hashtag are taking the internet by storm"
Shubman, slightly annoyed: "I don't need distractions. I need to focus on getting my form back.Do you guys really think a fan has effect on my performance!"
"No,of course not." Team replied.
Despite Shubman's reluctance, his teammates convinced him to take a moment and watch some of the lighthearted content. As they scrolled through the reels, Shubman couldn't help but crack a smile at the creative and humorous takes on his matter.
Shahneel: "Looks like you've got a fan club, Shubman that ships you with that boy,Ishan"
Shubman, rolling his eyes: "I need to perform on the field, not in some social media reels."
Meanwhile, Ishan, determined to prove that his physical presence wasn't necessary, attended the next match with Dev and Avi. As they settled into their seats, Ishan couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and skepticism.
Dev, jokingly: "Ishan, ready to unleash your virtual luck on Shubman again?"
Ishan:It's Shubman's hard work only.It was coincidence I was there for those two.
Avi, with a grin: "Well, if it works, we might have to consider a career change to become professional virtual mascots."
India decided to bowl first.
As the match progressed, Shubman, fielding near the boundary, caught a glimpse of Ishan in the stands. A subtle smile appeared on Shubman's face, but he quickly dismissed it, refusing to believe that Ishan's presence had any impact.
When it was Shubman's turn to bat, the stadium buzzed with anticipation. Shubman took his stance, determined to break free from the recent slump and prove that his performance was solely based on skill and not influenced by any lucky charm.
The first few deliveries were cautious, with Shubman carefully assessing the bowlers. Then came a moment of brilliance, as he unleashed a series of well-timed shots that sent the ball racing to the boundary. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the big screen displayed Ishan's animated reaction in the stands after each boundary.
With every milestone, whether it was a fifty or a well-timed six, the camera panned to Ishan, who seemed to be enjoying every moment of Shubman's stellar performance. Social media lit up with hashtags like #IshansLuckyCharmStrikesAgain.
As Shubman approached his century, the excitement in the stadium reached a fever pitch. The camera focused on Ishan.The cheers from the stands seemed to synchronize with Shubman's every stroke. The connection between the two, whether real or imagined, became a captivating narrative for fans.
Shubman finally reached his century with a stylish cover drive, and the stadium erupted in applause. The big screen once again featured Ishan, now a symbol of Shubman's extraordinary innings. Shubman, while acknowledging the cheers from the crowd, couldn't shake off the nagging thought about whether Ishan's presence in stadium had indeed played a role in his success.
After the match, as Shubman reflected on his performance, the doubt lingered. He couldn't ignore the uncanny coincidence of Ishan's presence in the stands during his exceptional innings. Shubman decided to share his thoughts with his teammates in the dressing room.
Shubman: "Guys, I can't shake off this feeling. Is it possible that a fan's present somehow influenced my performance?"
Rohit Sharma, with a smile: "Shubman, cricket is a game of skill and strategy. But hey, if having a lucky charm adds some fun to the game, why not enjoy it?"
The teammates, now accustomed to the banter around Ishan's influence, chimed in with playful remarks. However, Shubman couldn't completely let go of the idea that there might be something more to this unique cricketing saga.
As the team left the stadium, Shubman couldn't help but glance towards the stands where Ishan had been cheering. Ishan, Dev, and Avi were celebrating the victory, unaware of the internal debate unfolding in Shubman's mind.
In the post-match interviews, when asked about his century and the support from Ishan's presence, Shubman chose his words carefully.
Shubman: "Fans are always a great supporter, whether in the stands or virtually. It's heartwarming to have fans who genuinely care about the game."
The cricket world couldn't stop talking about Shubman's amazing innings and Ishan's virtual support. People were excited for the next match, not just for the game but to see what would happen with Shubman and Ishan.
At night unable to find peace, Shubman lay restless, placing blame on Ishan, accusing him of stealing credit for his performance and Shubman is conviced it was all for the limelight.
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