On the evening of May 10, 2024, the IPL 59th match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was underway at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

It was a high-octane clash, filled with palpable excitement, and every cricket fan had their eyes glued to the field. 

The GT fans, in particular, were buzzing with energy as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were putting on a masterclass in batting.

Naima Prushka, sitting in her hotel room, was glued to the screen. Her heart swelled with pride as she watched Shubman, her boyfriend, step up to the crease. 

She leaned forward in her seat, biting her lower lip as he faced the first ball. The hotel room was quiet except for the sound of the match commentary and the rhythmic tapping of her fingers against her phone.

Shubman had been in sublime form all season, [ well she considered it that way, despite his lows] and tonight, he was taking it up a notch. 

His timing was impeccable, his footwork sharp, and his focus unshakable. With every ball he faced, Naima's pulse quickened. 

She knew how much this century would mean to him. It wasn't just a century in a crucial IPL match—it was an affirmation of his growth, his dedication, and the grit he carried.

As the game progressed, Shubman's bat spoke volumes. The ball was flying all over the field, and he made it look so effortless, timing each shot with precision. His hundred was not just any ordinary knock. 

It was a 104 off just 60 balls, filled with boundaries—six beautiful sixes and a handful of boundaries to go along with it. He stood tall, confident, and absolutely in control.

"Fucking brilliant," Naima muttered to herself as she leaned closer to the screen, watching intently as Shubman raised his bat to the crowd. 

The cheer from the stands was deafening, and Naima couldn't help but smile, proud of the man she loved.

As Shubman reached his century, the commentary team buzzed in excitement, showering praise on his batting, "Shubman Gill has been absolutely exceptional today! A stunning knock of 104 runs, and this will go down as one of his finest innings in IPL history!"

Her heart swelled with joy as she saw Shubman pump his fist in the air, acknowledging the crowd. 

He gave a small wave to the camera, and for a fleeting moment, Naima thought he was looking right at her. 

His eyes, intense and focused on the game, flicked towards the stands, but for her, it felt personal. She knew he'd be thinking of her, even if he couldn't show it to the world.

While Shubman took the limelight, Sai Sudharsan, his batting partner, was also weaving his magic at the other end, scoring a quickfire 103. 

Together, they took Gujarat Titans to a formidable total of 231 for 3.

But it was Shubman's century that stood out. The beauty of his batting left Naima speechless. She leaned back on the couch, running a hand through her hair, her mind racing.

She had been watching him score centuries for India, but to see him do it in the IPL, in front of thousands of people, against a team like CSK... it was special.

As the match continued, Naima could sense the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The game was far from over.

CSK would need 232 to win, and though they had some heavy hitters, Naima knew the challenge was tough.

By the time the GT bowlers took to the field, Naima's fingers were still gripped around her phone, watching the action unfold with bated breath. 

Gujarat's bowlers, led by Rashid Khan and Mohit Sharma, kept things tight, picking up crucial wickets and putting pressure on CSK's batting lineup.

When CSK's Mitchell and Moeen were dismissed, Naima's heart raced. But she couldn't help the pride she felt when the match was won by Gujarat by 35 runs.

The commentary was once again full of praise for Shubman: 

"A magnificent performance by Shubman Gill—he led the charge with a powerful century, and alongside Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat Titans posted a mammoth total. He's been the game-changer here tonight, and he thoroughly deserves the plaudits."

Naima closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the emotions hit her. She couldn't wait to speak to him after the match. 

She quickly grabbed her phone and shot him a message: You were incredible. So proud of you, baby ❤️

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed, and a smile spread across her face as she read his reply: Thank you, love. Wouldn't have done it without your support. I miss you already. 😘

She sent back a heart emoji and leaned back in her chair, her mind racing with the love and pride she felt for Shubman. 

He was on top of the world, and she knew this was just one of many milestones for him. Her heart swelled with admiration for the man who was carving out his legacy in the cricket world.

As the night wore on and Gujarat Titans celebrated their victory, Naima lay on the bed, watching Shubman's century replayed on her phone. 

She couldn't help but smile, knowing that the man who had just taken the cricket world by storm was also the man she loved.

Welcome to the twenty-sixth chapter of "The Man"!
this match was so good!

what are your thoughts about the next chapter?
anyway, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!
make sure to comment on what you liked!

until then, yours truly
soup 🫶