The humid air of Dambulla hung heavy over the Rangiri Stadium as the Indian team bus rolled in for the second ODI. The euphoria of the first win had settled into a quiet, professional confidence. The 128 on debut had changed everything. He wasn't just the rookie anymore; he was the wicket they wanted.
Coach Gary Kirsten stood at the front of the bus. "One win doesn't make a series, lads. Sri Lanka is a wounded animal. Mendis will come hard. Jayasuriya will come hard. We stick to the process."
Match 2
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Toss: Sri Lanka won and elected to bat.
Dhoni gathered the team in the huddle. "Sid, you've got the new ball with Zaheer. Same plan. Attack the stumps."
The First Innings
Siddanth marked his run-up. Sanath Jayasuriya, the Matara Mauler, was on strike. He looked angry. He had failed in the first match, and he was looking to flay the young bowler.
"Here we go," Ravi Shastri's voice boomed on commentary. "Siddanth Deva, the hero of the first ODI, with the new rock. Can he replicate the magic? Jayasuriya looks like he wants to hit the cover off the ball today."
Over 1:
Siddanth ran in. 148kph.
Jayasuriya swung. He missed. The ball zipped past the off stump.
The next ball, Jayasuriya connected. A lofted cut over point for four.
Siddanth didn't panic. His mind analysed the shot. He's clearing the front leg. He wants width.
Over 3:
Siddanth came around the wicket. He bowled a 150kph heavy ball into the ribs. Jayasuriya was cramped. He tried to pull, got a top edge, and the ball flew to fine leg. Rohit Sharma took the catch.
WICKET 1.
"Pace! Raw pace!" Sunil Gavaskar exclaimed. "You cannot pull a ball that fast when it's that close to your body. Deva wins the battle against the legend!"
Sri Lanka rebuilt through Sangakkara and Kapugedera. They attacked Siddanth in his second spell. Kapugedera hit him for two boundaries. Siddanth's economy climbed. He was going for 6 an over.
But he kept coming. In the 38th over, he returned. He bowled a slower-ball yorker that deceived Thilan Thushara, cleaning him up.
WICKET 2.
And in the death, he forced a false shot from Nuwan Kulasekara, caught at long-on.
WICKET 3.
He finished with 3 for 52 in 9.4 overs. Economy: 5.4.
It wasn't the unplayable magic of the first game, but it was a wicket-taking spell. Sri Lanka posted 245 all out.
The Second Innings
Chasing 246, India stuttered. Gambhir fell early.
Siddanth walked in at 45 for 1.
The pitch was slowing down. Ajantha Mendis was turning it square.
"This is a test," Harsha Bhogle said. "The pitch is holding up. It's not a 300-run wicket. Deva needs to show his temperament."
Siddanth played a different innings. He didn't look for the scoop. He didn't look for the reverse sweep.
He used his Sleight of Hand to work Mendis into the leg side for singles. He used his Dancing Skills to smother Muralitharan.
He built a partnership with Virat Kohli. They ran hard.
Siddanth reached his 50 off 65 balls. No sixes. Just pure, technical batting.
Then, with 50 runs needed, he accelerated.
He hit Murali for a straight six. He pulled Malinga for four.
He moved to 80.
He was eyeing another century.
But on 89, facing a wide yorker from Kulasekara, he tried to slice it over point. He didn't get the elevation. The fielder jumped and plucked it out of the air.
Siddanth Deva: 89 (98 balls).
He walked off, annoyed with himself, but the job was done. Dhoni and Raina finished the chase. India won by 5 wickets.
India leads 2-0.
Match 3
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The caravan moved to Colombo. The stakes were higher. A win here meant the series was in the bag.
Dhoni won the toss and elected to field. "There's moisture. We'll use it."
The First Innings
Siddanth took the new ball. But today, the rhythm was different.
He bowled a spell of terrifying accuracy.
He didn't take a wicket in his first 6 overs. But he gave away only 12 runs.
He beat the bat. He hit the pads. He induced edges that fell short.
"Look at that control," L. Sivaramakrishnan noted. "He is tying them up in knots. Sangakkara is frustrated. He can't get him away."
In his third spell, the 42nd over, the pressure told.
Chamara Silva, suffocated by the dot balls, tried to charge Siddanth.
Siddanth saw him coming. He bowled the 145kph bouncer.
Silva couldn't handle the height. He gloved it to Dhoni.
WICKET 1.
Siddanth finished with 10 overs, 2 maidens, 38 runs, 1 wicket.
Economy: 3.8.
It was a masterclass in containment. Sri Lanka managed only 230.
The Second Innings
Chasing 231, India was cruising. Gautam smashed a quick 40.
Siddanth came in at number 4. The score was 100 for 2.
The pressure was low. The required rate was 4.
Siddanth felt good. Too good.
He hit two glorious cover drives. He sat on 35 off 25 balls.
Muralitharan was bowling.
Siddanth saw the long-on fielder back. He thought, I can clear him.
It was arrogance.
He stepped out. He didn't get to the pitch of the ball. He tried to force the lofted drive.
The bat turned.
The ball soared high... but not long. It fell straight down the throat of the long-on fielder.
Siddanth Deva: 35 (26 balls).
He stood at the crease for a second, disgusted. It was a "soft" dismissal. A gift.
He walked back to the pavilion. Dhoni was waiting at the boundary rope, padded up.
"Necessary?" Dhoni asked quietly as he passed.
"No," Siddanth replied, looking down. "Stupid."
"Learn," Dhoni said, and walked out to finish the match.
India won. The series was won 3-0. But Siddanth sat in the dressing room, staring at his bat. The 35 was a failure in his eyes. He had thrown it away.
Match 4: Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The series was won, but Sri Lanka had pride to play for. They won the toss and batted on a flat deck.
The First Innings
It was Siddanth's worst day with the ball. Sanath Jayasuriya was in a time machine. He took a liking to Siddanth's pace. He slashed him for six. He flicked him for four. Siddanth tried the yorker; it went for four. He tried the slower ball; Dilshan scooped it.
"The youngster is learning the hard way today," Danny Morrison shouted. "Pace is great, but these legends use it against you!"
Siddanth finished wicketless. 10 overs, 0 wickets, 58 runs. Economy: 5.8. Sri Lanka posted a massive 290.
The Second Innings
The dressing room was quiet. 291 was a huge chase under lights. Siddanth sat in the corner, staring at his bowling figures. 0 for 58. "Forget it," Virat said, padding up. "Pay them back now."
India lost Virat early. 50 for 1. Siddanth walked out. The crowd was buzzing. They wanted to see if the kid would crumble. He marked his guard. He wasn't just focused. He was furious.
Ball 1: Nuwan Kulasekara. Length ball. Siddanth stepped forward and punched it back past the bowler. It hit the sightscreen with a violent thud. FOUR.
It was the start of a counter-attack that would go down in history. Siddanth didn't play "cute." He played with brutal, controlled power. He pulled Thushara for a flat six over mid-wicket. He drove Mendis through the covers against the spin. He reached his 50 in 40 balls.
He was in the Zone. He was batting with Yuvraj Singh. The two left-right combinations destroyed the Sri Lankan spin attack. Siddanth reached 90. Murali came round the wicket. Siddanth stepped out. He met the ball on the half-volley. Inside-out. SIX. 96.
Next ball: Two runs. 98.
Next ball: Single. 99.
He was on strike against Malinga. Malinga bowled the yorker. Siddanth opened the face and guided it to third man. FOUR.
CENTURY. 103 runs. His second of the series. He took off his helmet. He didn't smile. He raised his bat to the dressing room, his eyes steel. I paid the debt.
"What a response!" Shastri roared. "He had a tough day with the ball, so he decides to win the match with the bat! This is character! 103 runs of the highest order!"
He was eventually out for 108 off 95 balls, accelerating at the death. India chased down 290 with 2 overs to spare. India Lead 4-0.
Match 5: Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The Whitewash loomed. Sri Lanka batted first.
The First Innings: The Demolition
Siddanth took the new ball. He was back.
Over 1: 152kph inswinging yorker. Tharanga LBW. WICKET 1.
Over 3: "Heavy Ball" to Jayasuriya. Caught behind. WICKET 2.
Over 25: Wobble Seam to Kapugedera. Bowled. WICKET 3.
Over 45: Two wickets in two balls. Bouncer and Yorker. WICKET 4 & 5.
He held the ball up. His first international 5-wicket haul. Figures: 9.2 overs, 36 runs, 5 wickets. Economy: 3.6. Sri Lanka bowled out for 210.
The Second Innings
The target was a modest 211. The floodlights were fully on, bathing the Premadasa in a cool, artificial glow. In the dressing room, the mood was light. There was no panic, no tension. Just the quiet confidence of a team that had already won the war and was now just mopping up the resistance.
Coach Gary Kirsten tapped the whiteboard. "Professional finish, boys. Don't give them a sniff. 211 on this wicket is a walk in the park if we keep our heads."
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli walked out to open the innings. Sri Lanka, demoralized after being bowled out for 210, looked flat. Their shoulders were slumped. And the Indian openers feasted.
Gambhir and Kohli didn't just bat; they raced. Gambhir was surgical, cutting Kulasekara past point, driving Thushara down the ground. Kohli was aggressive, whipping Malinga through mid-wicket with those fast wrists. The 50 came up in 8 overs. They were scoring at 6 an over without taking a single risk. The Sri Lankan spinners, Mendis and Murali, came on, but the batsmen were set. They milked the singles, punished the bad balls.
The score reached 92 for 0 in the 16th over. Gambhir, on 48, tried to paddle-sweep Ajantha Mendis. He misread the carrom ball. It dipped, took the top edge, and looped to short fine leg. WICKET 1.
The crowd cheered politely. It was a consolation wicket. India needed 119 runs. 9 wickets in hand. 34 overs left.
Siddanth Deva walked out at number 3. He had just bowled 9.2 overs. He had taken 5 wickets. He had been running around the field for 45 overs in the Colombo humidity.
He met Virat in the middle. "Tired?" Virat asked, grinning, leaning on his bat. Siddanth tapped the pitch, marking his guard. "I could bowl another 10 overs right now, Chiku. Let's finish this early. I want that trophy."
Siddanth didn't take time to settle. He didn't need to. His mind had already assessed the pitch from the bowling crease. He knew exactly how it was behaving.
Ball 1: Ajantha Mendis. The mystery spinner. Siddanth didn't probe. He read the grip. Googly. He leaned forward, high elbow, and punched it straight back past the bowler. It was a shot of pure authority. FOUR.
"He has started where he left off!" Ravi Shastri boomed. "Fresh as a daisy! He takes five wickets, walks out at number three, and hits his first ball for four. This young man is a machine!"
Virat, at the other end, decided to play the anchor. He watched as Siddanth dissected the field.
Siddanth vs. Muralitharan Murali came on. He tossed it up, trying to entice the drive. He didn't charge wildly. He glided. Quick, light steps. He met the ball on the full. He hit it inside-out, over extra cover. The ball soared into the empty stands. SIX.
He was batting with a Strike Rate of 120, yet he looked like he was playing a Test match defensive stroke. He was finding boundaries with pure timing and placement.
He reached his 50 off just 35 balls. He barely celebrated. A quick raise of the bat. The job wasn't done.
The Finish
Then Virat got out on 65, when a ball knicked his bat and the keeper caught it. But Siddanth continued to demolish Sri Lankan bowlers.
India moved past 180. 200. Siddanth was on 65.
Siddanth faced Malinga. Malinga bowled a yorker. Siddanth shuffled across and ramped the 145kph yorker over the keeper's head. FOUR.
Then, he faced Thushara. Short ball. Siddanth swivelled. He pulled it flat. It rocketed to the mid-wicket fence. FOUR.
He was on 71. India needed 2 runs to win. Yuvraj was on strike. Yuvraj pushed a single to long-on. Scores level. Siddanth on strike.
Ball: Muralitharan tossed it up. Siddanth didn't smash it. He didn't try to be a hero. He just leaned forward and caressed it through the covers. FOUR.
India Won by 8 wickets.
Siddanth Deva: 75 (52 balls).*
Siddanth pulled out the stump as the winning runs were hit. He wasn't panting. He wasn't sweating heavily. He looked like he had just gone for a light jog.
Series Result: India won 5-0. A complete, absolute whitewash. And at the centre of it, standing tall and fresh, was the Man of the Series.
---
It was 2 AM. The party in the team room was winding down. Siddanth walked back to Room 402.
Virat was already asleep, snoring softly, his Man of the Match award from the 3rd ODI on the nightstand.
Siddanth sat on the edge of his bed. The silence of the room was a stark contrast to the noise of the last two weeks.
He felt it coming. The hum in his mind.
DING.
The blue interface shimmered into existence.
[SYSTEM STATUS REPORT]
[EVENT COMPLETE: India Tour of Sri Lanka (ODI Series)]
[RESULT: 5-0 Series Win. Man of the Series.]
[PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS]
Batting: S+ (Two Centuries, Match-winning 128*, Series Avg 78).
Bowling: S (14 Wickets, 5-fer in Final Match).
Mental Resilience: S (Bounce back from poor bowling performance).
[REWARDS ISSUED]
Experience: Maximum.
Reputation: National Hero.
Template Integration Boost:
Brett Lee Template: 72%.
Siddanth felt the surge. It wasn't just power this time. It was knowledge.
72% Integration.
He felt his understanding of swing mechanics deepen. He understood the reverse swing not just as a theory, but as a physical sensation in his fingers. He knew exactly how to shine the ball, how to hide it, how to release it to make it talk at 145kph.
[SPECIAL REWARD UNLOCKED]
[Achievement: "The All-Rounder's Dominion" (Score 400+ runs and take 10+ wickets in a single series)]
[REWARD: SILVER LOTTERY TICKET (1)]
Siddanth blinked. A Silver Ticket. The last one had given him Sleight of Hand, which had revolutionized his batting and fielding.
He tapped the [SPIN] button mentally.
The silver wheel appeared, spinning silently in his vision.
Clack... clack... clack...
The options blurred past.
[Advanced Piano]... [Chess Grandmaster Theory]... [Ambidextrous Throwing]...
It slowed down.
It landed on a tile with a steering wheel icon.
[REWARD ACQUIRED: EXPERT DRIVING SKILLS]
[Description: Host possesses the instincts, reflexes, and mechanical sympathy of a professional Formula 1/Rally driver. Includes advanced defensive driving, drift control, and racing line intuition.]
Siddanth stared at the screen.
He laughed. A quiet, dry chuckle in the dark hotel room.
Driving skills?
He thought of his Maruti Swift Dzire parked in Hyderabad. He thought of the chaotic Indian traffic.
Well, he thought, at least I won't die in a car crash.
It seemed underwhelming compared to cricket skills, but the System rarely gave useless gifts. Perhaps it was just to keep him safe. Or perhaps... he'd need to get away from something fast one day.
He dismissed the screen.
He lay back on the pillow.
Man of the Series.
He closed his eyes.