Shubman Gill's PoV

You could say that you develop a certain sense of ego after a victory like the Gabba. I wouldn't admit this if I didn't have to, but I certainly did develop some ego. I was in Kolkata for a bit, just visiting some good old friends. A local match was happening at the moment, and I offered to join them. There was a bit of bickering of who's team I was going to be in, which did in fact make my head swell with pride. But at last I saw a girl, she was selected onto the opposing team, but she'd been stuck as the 11th man/woman. The first ball I faced, was indeed a six.

She rolled her eyes, "Show off."

My Opening Partner, Nikhil, grinned. I gestured to her with my chin, "Who's she?". Nikhil eyed me warily, "Aratika."

I nodded slowly as though the name meant something to me, the very next day there was yet another match. I turned to Nikhil, the two of us were on break. "Does she come every match?"

"Yes," Nikhil responded quite bluntly, once again I spotted her. I looked at Nikhil, "Does she ever bowl or bat?"

Nikhil sighed, "Could you stop checking out my sister for lords sake?"

I choked on air, "Your sister?"

"Yes! Can't you just freaking take a hint?" He demanded, "Your breaking the bro code!"

I hit the next ball straight to long-on, and ran for a double. The girl, Aratika, was the umpire as usual. I heard mumble, "Sloppy,"

My anger flared, it was a decent shot. "Why don't you bowl to me then? Hm?" 

She smirked, "I wouldn't want to damage your ego."

"Fine, I'll hit at least four boundaries in your over and if I don't, well, break my favorite bat then!" I responded cooly, she grabbed the ball from the bowler, and marked an area with a rock. She ran up, and I heard a 'tock' noise as the ball connected with the bat.

I looked around trying to find the ball, she smirked and gestured behind me with her chin. I turned for the shock of my life-time.

The stumps had flown away. 

What the-

She sighed, and stepped away from the ground. I ditched the bat, and ran after her.

"Oi! Umpire!" I called out, she turned around with the same wary glance as Nikhil.

I can see the relation here.

"That was one heck of a short ball..." I panted to catch my breath, this woman doesn't walk, she runs. She shrugged, "I suppose so."

"Did you play at a international level?" I demanded, a tight smile appeared on her face.

"I wish, I got stuck at State-Level." She sighed wistfully, "It's easier for men, but for women, the selectors ask for 'favors'."

"Some ask money while others.." Her face crinkled with disgust, for some reason it made me protective.

"What?" I demanded, "Who?"

"It didn't happen to me, I just quit." She shrugged, "I have better things to do with my life,"

With that, she boarded an IT bus.

Better things to do? Become a typical software engineer?

But then after everyday, you could say I followed her around, trying to ask for a redemption or for her to finish her story. I thought about asking Nikhil, but knew that he would rather eat a rock.

One day, I found her with a little kid. "-You wanna meet him?" she was saying, and the kid nodded. "Well, it appears my stalker is here." She smiled and nudged the little boy towards me.

He seemed awe-struck, "Your famous!" He exclaimed, I nodded. "I noticed,"

"Didi said that your a really good player, can I watch you pleaaase?" He pleaded, I chuckled. 

"Are you sure she said that I'm a good player?" I frowned, Aratika rolled her eyes.

"And yes, you can watch me play in-fact, why don't you and your didi come over to KKR's practice?" I offered, his eyes were wide and filled with joy. Aratika seemed amused, "Smooth, using a kid to ask me out on a date."

I grinned, "Who said it was a date?"

She flushed, turning red. "But.. it could be a date if you want it to be," I shrugged, shoving my hands into my pockets. 

"Alright then, 5 PM. If your late, I'll consider that as a-" She started, I cut her off. "Be ready, Ms.Umpire."

I found Nikhil watching this little exchanging, he raised his finger in the world known gesture of 'out'. I grinned.

I agree, I've been bowled.