**Day 16 – Kolkata, Next Morning**
Eden Gardens is quiet again, but the world outside isn't.
TV channels, cricket podcasts, YouTube thumbnails — all screaming the same question:
> "Who is India's next cricketing poster boy?"
---
**Cricbuzz LIVE Panel**
Host: "Aryan Raj – calm under chaos, or just lucky?"
Analyst 1: "His match sense is unreal. That chase yesterday? Vintage Dravid vibes."
Analyst 2: "But let's not ignore Zayaan's charisma. He's fire on the field. Crowd loves that."
---
**Social Media Trends**
#NextWallAryan
#ZayaanTheShowman
#BatAndBallEra
Thousands of reels cut to Aryan's silent cover drives. But just as many zoom into Zayaan's helicopter shot, posted with captions like:
> "This is what India's future looks like."
---
**BCCI Monitoring Room**
Inside the HQ in Mumbai, the media team sits with files — psychological graphs, fan engagement metrics, brand appeal heatmaps.
One intern quietly says:
> "We're not just shaping cricketers anymore. We're shaping narratives."
---
**Meanwhile – Aryan's Dorm Room**
Aryan scrolls through his phone. Headlines, praise, memes — his face everywhere.
But his expression? Flat.
Omkar walks in.
Omkar: "You don't like attention?"
Aryan: "I didn't play for them to write stories. I played because I had one."
He puts his phone down. Picks up his bat. Begins shadow practicing.
---
**Contrast – Zayaan's Room**
Zayaan watches the same clips — but smiles.
He records a story: "We're just getting started. India, hope you're watching."
In the next frame, he's training again — shirt off, hitting bouncers with raw anger. The comments blow up.
> "What a beast."
> "Captain material."
> "MS meets Kohli."
---
**Evening – BCCI Mental Conditioning Room**
Dr. Ishani Mehra, sports psychologist, speaks to the group.
> "We've studied your body language, media response, and team dynamics. Next test: media interaction and controlled provocation."
Everyone stares.
> "You will face a panel of journalists. Some questions will be uncomfortable. We'll see how you respond."
---
**Media Simulation Test**
Aryan enters first. Faces tough ones.
Journalist: "Aryan, are you just Dhoni without the sixes?"
Aryan: "Maybe I'm just Aryan without the noise."
Journalist 2: "Zayaan's attitude excites fans more. Thoughts?"
Aryan: *smiles slightly* "Excitement burns fast. Firewood lasts longer."
The room goes silent.
---
**Zayaan's Turn**
Journalist: "Do you think Aryan's overrated?"
Zayaan: "No. But I think I'm underrated."
Laughter. Zayaan owns the room.
Another question: "Some say you're emotional, not strategic. Response?"
Zayaan: "Passion without direction is chaos. I'm learning."
---
**Others – Mixed Reactions**
Sai – composed but avoids eye contact.
Yuvraj – aggressive, nearly snaps.
Rajveer – witty and sharp, gains followers instantly.
---
**Post-Evaluation Rankings (Public Persona Index)**
1. Aryan Raj – "Composed Minimalist"
2. Zayaan Sheikh – "Magnetic Disruptor"
3. Rajveer Goyal – "Street Smart"
4. Yuvraj Rathore – "Rough Diamond"
5. Sai Menon – "Silent Depths"
---
**Night – Balcony Conversations**
Aryan and Omkar lean over the rail.
Omkar: "They want you to become a product."
Aryan: "Then I'll be the one they can't market. A player they have to understand first."
Zayaan stands on the other side of the dorm rooftop — alone, looking at the full moon.
Whispers: "If they want a hero… I'll give them a storm."
---
**Next: Chapter 18 – The India Gate Exhibition Match – Legends Return**