**Day 17 – New Delhi**
The capital wakes up with a different kind of energy.
Billboards, hoardings, and digital screens all flash the same message:
> "One Night. One Stage. Legends vs Future. LIVE from India Gate."
Yes, a cricket match — in front of **India Gate**, under the lights.
For the first time ever, the BCCI sets up a temporary stadium in the heart of the capital. Not just for cricket, but for spectacle.
---
**Broadcast Begins**
Crowds surround the barricaded arena.
Drones fly. Commentators scream over the mic.
🎙️"Tonight, it's not about victory — it's about vision. Will the next generation crumble or conquer in front of the very heroes they worshipped?"
---
**Special Line-up Announced**
Two teams.
**Legends XI**:
- MS Dhoni (Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Rohit Sharma
- Yuvraj Singh
- AB de Villiers
- Brett Lee
- Harbhajan Singh
- Irfan Pathan
- Suresh Raina
- Zaheer Khan
- Lasith Malinga
**NextGen XI**:
- Aryan Raj (Captain)
- Zayaan Sheikh
- Sai Menon
- Yuvraj Rathore
- Omkar Shinde
- Rajveer Goyal
- Iqbal Nawaz
- Tarun Dev
- Ravi Prakash
- Aman Bedi
- Vishal Rawat
The stadium roars.
---
**Before the Match – The Walkout**
Dhoni pats Aryan's shoulder.
> "It's not about beating us. It's about earning your spot in history."
Aryan nods.
Zayaan bumps fists with Virat Kohli.
> Kohli: "Remind me of me… just less beard, more drama."
Zayaan laughs, but inside, he's shaking.
---
**First Innings – Legends Bat**
Openers: Kohli and Rohit.
Aryan sets a tight off-side field.
First ball: Omkar to Kohli. A flighted off-spinner. Kohli defends.
Second over: Zayaan bowling to Rohit. Bouncer — Rohit pulls it for SIX.
Crowd explodes.
> Commentary: "The Kings still own the throne!"
But then…
Omkar traps Yuvraj Singh LBW.
Iqbal clean-bowls Raina with a yorker.
Sai takes a diving catch to dismiss AB de Villiers.
Legends finish at 164/6 in 20 overs.
---
**Second Innings – NextGen Chase**
Aryan and Zayaan open.
First over: Brett Lee to Aryan — bouncer at 148 kmph. Aryan ducks, then cover-drives the next one for FOUR.
Zayaan hits a no-look six off Irfan Pathan, crowd chants: "Zayaaaaaan!"
Midway: Score is 98/2 in 11 overs.
But then…
Harbhajan turns the match. Aryan is stumped at 49. Crowd gasps.
> Dhoni from behind the stumps: "Smart cricket wins… not silence."
Zayaan struggles for rhythm. Dot balls pile up.
Enter: Omkar Shinde.
Starts rotating strike, calming the tempo. Then launches Malinga for a massive six over mid-wicket.
Last 3 overs. 24 runs needed.
Sai joins. 4, 1, 2, dot, 4, 1 — nerves build.
Final over: 6 needed off 4 balls.
Omkar faces Brett Lee.
Fast yorker — driven straight past the bowler… FOUR.
Next ball — slower bouncer. Omkar ramps it over fine leg… TWO RUNS.
Victory.
---
**Post-Match**
Legends applaud. Kohli hugs Zayaan. Dhoni whispers something to Aryan.
> "You didn't chase fame. That's why it followed you."
Omkar is named **Player of the Match**.
The media goes crazy.
> "Aryan leads calmly. Zayaan entertains. Omkar finishes. This is the trio India didn't know it needed."
---
**Backstage – A Moment Alone**
Aryan, Zayaan, Omkar stand silently under the glowing India Gate.
Aryan: "It wasn't about beating them."
Omkar: "It was about belonging."
Zayaan: "Next time… we play *with* them."
---
**Next Up: Chapter 19 – One Must Fall: The First Big Exit**