The lights of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium finally turned off. The celebrations on the grass ended. The players returned to the hotel and packed their bags. Sunrisers Hyderabad had successfully defended their title. They were the champions of the 2017 Indian Premier League.
The internet did not sleep. The digital platforms stayed active through the night and into the morning. Fans across the country flooded social media with their reactions to the final match.
@SRH_Fanatic99: BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS! The Orange Army rules the IPL! No one can stop us! 🏆🧡
@CricketCrazy_Ind: Restricting Mumbai Indians to 127 runs in a final is crazy. The SRH bowling attack is a wall.
@MumbaPaltan_Blue: We fought hard, but 127 was never going to be enough. Bumrah tried his best. Next year we come back stronger. 💙
@FanGirl_Sid: 5 IPL titles. 4 as a captain. Only player to win with 2 different teams. 3 Orange caps, 3 Purple caps. Highest run scorer and wicket taker in IPL. Siddanth Deva owns the IPL. 👑
@Kane_Will_Smile: Kane Williamson hitting the winning runs with a cover drive. Pure class. The perfect end to the tournament.
@Warner_Bull: David Warner scored 57 runs off 39 balls on a tricky pitch. He set the foundation. Best opener in the league!
@Rashid_Afghan_Fan: Rashid Khan taking crucial wickets in the middle overs again. The best spinner in the world right now! 🇦🇫🔥
@Local_Hyd_Boy: The DJ playing the Baahubali song when Deva walked out to bat gave me goosebumps! The whole stadium chanted his name!
@BCCI_Insider: Two titles in two years. Sunrisers Hyderabad have built a dynasty.
@RohitSharma45_Fan: Tough luck for Rohit today. The batting just didn't click. Malinga tried, but the target was too small.
@MemeLordIndia: Mumbai Indians batsmen trying to figure out how to score runs against Bhuvi and Siraj today. [Image of a confused math guy] 😂
@Deva_Supremacy: Siddanth Deva has won four IPL titles as a captain. The man is collecting trophies like souvenirs.
@Siraj_Official_Fan: Mohammed Siraj taking early wickets on his home ground in a final! What a journey for the local boy!
@CricCrazy_Priya: The real MVP today was the cameraman cutting to Krithika jumping and screaming in the VIP box every time Sid was on screen! She is literally his number one fan! 😭🧡 #BiggestFan
@Hyd_Gossip: Krithika is definitely not going to have a voice tomorrow. The way she was screaming his name when he walked out to the Baahubali music... we love a fiercely supportive queen! 👑🧡
@VVSLaxman281_Fan: The coaching staff deserves a lot of credit. Tom Moody and VVS Laxman kept the team calm the entire season.
@KavyaMaran_FC: Kavya Maran smiling in the VIP box is all of us right now! Orange Army! 🧡
@MatchDay_Memes: Find yourself someone who cheers for you the way Krithika cheers for Siddanth Deva. The cameraman knew exactly what the internet wanted to see. [GIF of Krithika jumping with the orange flag] 🥺🏆
@Sanju_Samson_Squad: Sanju got out early today, but his middle-order batting all season is the reason SRH reached the final.
@T20_Analyst: Mumbai Indians lost the game in the powerplay. You cannot lose early wickets against a bowling attack like Hyderabad.
@Blue_Brigade: We will be back. One bad game does not define Mumbai Indians. Wait for 2018.
@IPL_Updates: The 2017 season comes to a close. Sunrisers Hyderabad lift the trophy in front of their home crowd! 🎆
---
The next morning, Siddanth woke up in his hotel room. He packed his clothes into his duffel bag. He said goodbye to his teammates in the lobby. David Warner, Kane Williamson, and the other international players were leaving for the airport to catch their flights home.
Siddanth walked to the hotel parking lot. He put his bag in the trunk of his car. He drove out of the city, heading toward Shamshabad.
He drove past the mango orchards and pulled up to the front gates of his farmhouse. The gates opened. He parked the car near the front porch.
He grabbed his bag and walked up the steps.
The front door opened before he could turn the handle. Krithika stood in the doorway. She wore a simple yellow kurti. She held a round brass plate in her hands. A small flame burned on a piece of camphor in the center of the plate, surrounded by red kumkum and turmeric water.
Siddanth stopped on the top step. He looked at her and smiled.
Krithika held the brass plate up. She moved it in three slow, wide circles in front of him, performing the traditional Aarathi to ward off the evil eye after his victory. She set the plate down on a small table near the door. She dipped her finger into the red kumkum powder and pressed it gently against his forehead, leaving a bright red dot.
Siddanth stepped inside the house. He dropped his bag on the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug.
Krithika hugged him back, resting her head against his shoulder. "Congratulations, Sid. The game last night was amazing."
"Thank you," Siddanth said. He stepped back. "Where are my parents?"
"They went to the market in the city," Krithika told him. "They will be back for lunch."
"Good," Siddanth nodded. "I need to take a shower. I have a meeting in an hour."
Krithika frowned slightly. "A meeting? The IPL just ended yesterday. You don't get a single day of rest?"
"It is a video call with the BCCI selectors," Siddanth explained, picking his bag up from the floor. "We have to finalize the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament starts in two weeks in England."
"Go freshen up," Krithika said. "I will bring you some coffee in the office."
Siddanth walked upstairs to their bedroom. He took a long shower. He changed into a clean black t-shirt and grey track pants. He rubbed his hair dry with a towel and walked down the hall to his home office.
He sat down at his desk. He opened his laptop.
Ten minutes later, Krithika walked into the office. She placed a mug of hot coffee on his desk. She patted his shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind her to give him privacy.
Siddanth took a sip of the coffee. He clicked on the meeting link on his screen.
The screen split into multiple boxes. MSK Prasad, the Chairman of Selectors, sat in an office in Mumbai, flanked by committee members Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh. In another video box, Anil Kumble, the head coach of the Indian team, sat in his home in Bengaluru.
"Good morning, Siddanth. Congratulations on the IPL victory," MSK Prasad said.
"Good morning, sir. Thank you," Siddanth replied.
He glanced at Anil Kumble's video feed. Kumble's expression remained stern, offering no congratulations. The tension from their argument during the Bangladesh Test match still lingered. They only spoke through Sanjay Bangar for team operations.
"We are here today to finalize the fifteen-man squad for the Champions Trophy," MSK Prasad began. "Before we start discussing the players, we need to make sure everyone is on the same page. Siddanth, Anil, we have a big tournament ahead. We need the team environment to be positive."
Kumble leaned toward his camera. "The team environment depends on discipline and execution. I set the plans, and I expect them to be followed. Siddanth is not adhering to my directions."
Siddanth put his coffee mug down and looked directly at the camera. "You are treating the players like school students."
Kumble frowned.
"You issue fines for being two minutes late to the team bus and set strict hotel curfews," Siddanth continued. "We are adults. We take responsibility for our actions. Policing the team creates unnecessary tension. The new players are hesitant to approach you for advice because of this rigid authority."
"I establish authority to win matches," Kumble replied stiffly.
"As for instructions on the field," Siddanth added, "I followed them when they suited the match situation. I am the captain. My input matters on the field; it cannot just be blind compliance."
MSK Prasad intervened. "Let us cool down. We understand there are differences in leadership styles, but we cannot have this conflict right now. We need to view this Champions Trophy as a warm-up for the 2019 World Cup. We have to build our core group."
Siddanth nodded in agreement. After a brief pause, Kumble nodded as well.
"Good," Prasad said. "Let us move to the squad selection. After discussing with Anil, we came up with these fifteen names."
Prasad looked at his notes. "For the top order, the choices are clear. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open. Virat Kohli will bat at number three and remain the vice-captain."
"I agree," Siddanth said.
"For the backup batsmen," Devang Gandhi added, "we are looking at Ajinkya Rahane or Manish Pandey in the middle order. MS Dhoni will be the wicket-keeper."
"Then we have the all-rounders," Prasad continued. "You, Siddanth Deva as captain, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin."
"For the pace bowlers," Sarandeep Singh said, "Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami."
"And the players on standby: Rishabh Pant, Suresh Raina, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal," Prasad finished.
Siddanth looked at his own notepad. "I agree with Rohit, Dhawan, Virat, Dhoni, Bhuvi, Bumrah, and Shami. They are automatic selections. But if we are building for the 2019 World Cup, we need to make changes. Yuvraj Singh likely won't be match-fit for a World Cup in two years."
The selectors shifted uncomfortably.
"It makes more sense to play a younger player in his place now," Siddanth suggested. "The same applies to Rahane, who is struggling with form in white-ball cricket. Kedar Jadhav is a good player, but his strike rate is low for a finisher. Furthermore, Ashwin is returning from a sports hernia and missed the entire IPL. He lacks match practice. Finally, we don't need four pace bowlers. Three is enough since I can bowl my full quota of ten overs."
"Siddanth," Prasad said carefully, "are you asking to drop Yuvraj Singh?"
"Yes."
"The media will heavily scrutinize that decision," Gandhi warned. "He is a massive fan favorite and played well against England earlier this year."
"Sometimes we have to take tough calls," Siddanth stated. "He is a legend, but can anyone guarantee he will be one hundred percent fit and in form by 2019? He needs to be able to field flawlessly and run aggressively between the wickets. He is struggling with that right now, and he can't bowl five overs without getting tired."
The selectors muted their microphones for a brief discussion. When they returned, Prasad spoke. "Let us discuss Yuvraj at the end."
Siddanth knew they were hesitant to face the media backlash of dropping Yuvraj right before a major tournament.
"Since you do not want Rahane in the main squad," Prasad moved on, "he will be on standby. We will add Manish Pandey and KL Rahul as the backup options."
"Now, about Ravichandran Ashwin," Kumble spoke up. "His experience in England is vital. He knows the conditions and how to bowl to English and Australian batsmen."
"But he hasn't played for months," Siddanth countered. "Also, Ashwin and Jadeja are both finger spinners. In modern ODIs, we need wrist spinners in the middle overs to take wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal spin the ball both ways. I would prefer to take both of them instead of Ashwin."
"Experience matters in ICC tournaments," Kumble insisted. "Ashwin can handle the pressure. A young wrist spinner might struggle on flat English pitches."
Following a lengthy debate on bowling combinations, the selectors reached a compromise. They retained Jadeja as the primary spin all-rounder but agreed with Siddanth regarding the wrist spinners. Chahal and Kuldeep were added to the main squad, while Ashwin was moved to the standby list due to match fitness.
"Okay, let us move on to Kedar Jadhav," Prasad said.
"I stand by my opinion on his strike rate," Siddanth said. "I want Rishabh Pant in the squad. He is a fearless hitter. Bringing him to the Champions Trophy gives him crucial experience for 2019. We need a left-handed aggressive option in the lower order."
The selectors agreed. Rishabh Pant was added as the backup wicket-keeper and hitter, moving Jadhav out.
"And Umesh Yadav," Prasad checked his notes. "You said we do not need four pacers."
"Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, and Shami are sufficient. I will share the fast-bowling workload," Siddanth confirmed. Umesh Yadav was moved to standby.
Finally, they returned to Yuvraj Singh. As Siddanth expected, the selectors decided to retain Yuvraj for his past ICC record and brand value. Siddanth accepted the compromise; he had successfully secured his wrist spinners and a young hitter.
Prasad read the final list aloud to ensure consensus.
ICC Champions Trophy 2017 - India Squad
Captain: Siddanth Deva
Vice-Captain: Virat Kohli
Wicket Keepers: MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant
Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul
All-Rounders: Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
Siddanth and Kumble both nodded in agreement.
"The meeting is concluded," Prasad said. "We will announce the squad to the media this evening."
That evening, the BCCI officially released the squad list on their platforms. The internet reacted immediately to the tactical shifts.
@CricketTalk_Ind: Siddanth Deva makes the big calls! Ashwin and Rahane dropped from the main squad! The captain is looking at the future! 🏏🔥
@BleedBlueArmy: Taking two wrist spinners to England is a massive gamble. Chahal and Kuldeep are going to get tested. Let's see if Deva's plan works.
@PantSmash_FC: RISHABH PANT IN THE SQUAD! The young kid gets his chance in an ICC tournament! Thank you, Siddanth Deva! 🚀
@YuviPaaji_Fan: Happy to see Yuvraj Singh in the squad! Experience is needed in England. Form is temporary, class is permanent! ❤️
@CricCrazyJohn: No Ashwin in the Champions Trophy squad. The shift from finger spin to wrist spin in white-ball cricket has officially begun in India.
@MemeLordIndia: Ajinkya Rahane looking at the squad list right now. 😿
@Kohli_King18: Kohli as Vice Captain, Deva as Captain. The two best players in the world leading us to another trophy! 🏆
@BCCI_Updates: The inclusion of KL Rahul and Manish Pandey gives the middle order much-needed stability if the openers fail. Good selections.
@MSDian_Forever: Dhoni handling the gloves, Pant learning from the master. The perfect transition plan. 🧤
@FastBowling_Fan: Bhuvi, Bumrah, Shami, and Deva. That pace attack is going to destroy batting lineups in English conditions. The swing will be unreal. 💨
@Cricket_Shitpost: Siddanth Deva in selection meetings: "I don't need another fast bowler. I am the fast bowler." 🗿
@KedarJadhav_Supporter: Unlucky for Kedar Jadhav to miss out. He played some good innings last year. But Pant's strike rate is too hard to ignore.
@EnglandCricketFans: India bringing two leg spinners to England? Very interesting tactic. Usually, teams pack their squads with fast bowlers here. 🏴
@Deva_Supremacy: Siddanth building the team for the 2019 World Cup two years in advance. A captain with a clear vision. 🐐
@Local_Hyd_Boy: Mohammed Siraj didn't make the cut, but he will get his chance soon. SRH boys Chahal and Bhuvi are going!
@Stat_Nerd_Cric: India's fielding will be much better with Pant and Pandey in the squad. Agility in the outfield is crucial in big grounds.
@AshwinRavi_FC: Sad to see Ashwin miss out, but coming back from a hernia injury straight into a Champions Trophy is risky. Hope he recovers well for the Test season.
@SitaSearchParty: I hope Krithika is ready to travel to England! We need some cute stadium pictures of her cheering for Siddanth! 🥺❤️
@VirenderSehwag: Bold squad by the skipper! Young blood and experienced legends. Go get the cup, boys! 🇮🇳
@Gauti_Gambhir: Happy to see Kuldeep Yadav get his chance. Wrist spin is a wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
@MemeCentral_IND: English batsmen trying to read Kuldeep's chinaman bowling. 😵💫
@IndianSports_Fanatic: The batting looks solid, but the bowling looks deadly. Siddanth Deva has built a complete team.
@RohitSharma45_Fan: Rohit and Dhawan opening in England again! 2013 Champions Trophy vibes! Let's repeat history! 🔥
@Cricket_Analyst_Pro: Keeping Yuvraj is a double-edged sword. He can win matches on his day, but his fielding might be a liability. The captain will have to hide him in the field.
@CricBuzz: Breaking: Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal named in India's 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
@HarshaBhogle: It is a squad looking at the present and the future simultaneously. Siddanth Deva has made his preferences clear. Pace and wrist spin.
@DesiMomDaily: My son is complaining about the squad selections on Twitter instead of studying for his exams. I am hiding the wifi router. 😡
@ViratGang: We are coming for that trophy! #TeamIndia #ChampionsTrophy2017 🏆🇮🇳
The squad was set. The team was balanced. The road to the 2019 World Cup had officially begun.