*IPL 2016 Continued — May Madness*
The match against KKR had changed everything.
Ishaan Verma was no longer the unknown rookie quietly sitting at the edge of the dugout. He had arrived—not with a viral scoop shot or a miraculous last-ball six, but with something far more enduring: composure. And in the chaos of the Indian Premier League, that was pure gold.
The next morning, at the Ritz-Carlton gym in Bengaluru, Ishaan was on the treadmill when Kohli approached him with a towel draped around his neck.
"Nice knock yesterday," Kohli said, catching his breath. "But remember, in the IPL, you're only as good as your next innings."
Ishaan nodded. "One game at a time."
Kohli smiled. "Good. You learn quick."
---
### Match 5: RCB vs Kings XI Punjab — Chinnaswamy Stadium
**Pre-match:**
The Chinnaswamy crowd roared hours before the first ball. Banners read *"RCB Till I Die"*, *"Kohli = King"*, and now, among them, smaller, freshly printed ones: *"Ishaan is here."*
In the commentary box, Harsha Bhogle observed:
> *"This young man Ishaan Verma, he's not just scoring runs — he's doing it with authority. Reminds me a bit of a young Dravid in discipline and Kohli in intent."*
**Target:** 176 to win. Kohli and AB got RCB to 92/3 by the 11th over before Ishaan walked in.
**Crowd Reaction:** Deafening chants: "ISHAAN! ISHAAN!"
**Stump Mic:**
> Kohli (walking past Ishaan): "Time to do your thing, champ."
---
**11.1 Overs:** Mohit Sharma to Ishaan. Length ball outside off. Guided to third man. Single.
**13.4 Overs:** Facing Axar. Flighted. Ishaan dances down — lifts it straight over long-on. *SIX!*
**15.2 Overs:** Abbott back on. Full toss. Flicked over square leg — *SIX!*
**15.3 Overs:** Yorker missed. Flicked past fine leg. *FOUR!*
**Commentary:**
> Sanjay Manjrekar: \*"He's dismantling bowlers like he's been doing this for years."
> Sunil Gavaskar: *"19 balls and a fifty — this lad is special."*
**Scorecard:** 50 off 19 balls. Eventually dismissed for 54 (23).
**RCB won with 5 balls to spare.**
**Post-match:** AB de Villiers patted him on the back, grinning.
> "You remind me of me when I was 18."
---
### The Talk of the League
TV Panels:
> *"Temperament beyond years"* — Aakash Chopra
> *"Silent predator"* — Virat Kohli
Twitter exploded. #IshaanTheNextBigThing trended. Ishaan ignored the buzz.
**Hotel Room Diary:**
> *"19 balls. 50 runs. Still not enough. I haven't faced Malinga yet."*
---
### Match 6: RCB vs Mumbai Indians — Wankhede Stadium
**Stadium atmosphere:** Electric. Wankhede bathed in blue and red.
**Personal Stakes:** His first professional game in Mumbai. Meera watching from the VIP box, dabbing her eyes with her pallu.
RCB 58/3 when he walked in.
**Malinga to Ishaan:**
* Ball 1: Yorked in. Dug out.
* Ball 2: Slower bouncer. Duck.
* Ball 3: Full. Driven past mid-off. *FOUR!*
AB walked up, clapped his gloves. "That's how you answer legends."
Together, they built a 72-run stand.
**Ishaan:** 41 (28). RCB posted 172. Lost narrowly.
**Still, headlines praised:**
> *"He doesn't just survive Malinga. He thrives."*
---
### Off the Field
By mid-May, RCB was in playoff contention.
**Dressing Room Moments:**
* Sarfaraz & Ishaan — TT wars.
* Kohli — handed him a copy of *"Mindset"* by Carol Dweck.
* Gayle — taught him the "bat twirl."
**AB de Villiers:** Watched from behind the nets.
> "One day, they'll ask for your autograph before you even take guard."
Ishaan laughed. "I just want to stay in the XI."
---
### Match 10: RCB vs Delhi Daredevils — Feroz Shah Kotla
**Headline:** *The Grudge Match*
Riyan Singh vs Ishaan Verma. The rematch.
**Press Conference:**
> Riyan: *"He's improved. But I've got tricks too."*
**Innings:**
Ishaan walked in at 75/2. Riyan brought on in the 11th.
* Ball 1: Loopy leg-break. Defended.
* Ball 2: Top-spinner. Left alone.
* Ball 3: Googly. Ishaan read it. Cut behind point. *FOUR!*
Next over:
* Googly again. Ishaan steps out — lofts over midwicket. *SIX!*
**Dugout Cam:**
Kohli clapped. "Atta boy!"
**Ishaan:** 53 (35). RCB won by 7 wickets.
**Post-match:** Riyan shook his hand.
> "Alright. Game on."
---
### Headlines & Reflection
**Media:**
* *"India's Next Batting Phenomenon?"*
* *"From Shivaji Park to IPL Stardom"*
**Diary Entry:**
> *"Still haven't played a final. Still haven't batted through an innings. Long way to go."*
While the world saw a star, Ishaan saw the blueprint. And he wasn't done yet.