Chapter 30: Legends Together

Yo, guys. I will try to give you 10 chapters every three weeks except for the regular two chapters on weekends. Hope you like the story. Please leave your reviews and power stones

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As I sat in the flight for the first time, I was filled with a mix of emotions. I was excited to be on my way to represent the country, but also a little nervous about what lay ahead.

As the plane took off, I gazed out the window in wonder. The view of the clouds and the ground below was breathtaking, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity. I sat back in my seat, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, letting the excitement and nerves wash over me.

Suddenly, I was jolted out of my thoughts as the flight hit turbulence. The plane shook and bounced, causing drinks to spill and overhead compartments to open. My heart started racing, and I tightly gripped the armrests, trying to calm myself.

"Don't worry, sir. This is just a little turbulence. It's perfectly normal," said the flight attendant, trying to soothe my fears.

I took a deep breath and tried to relax, knowing that turbulence was common during flights. But as the turbulence continued, I couldn't help but have a little inner monologue, 'I hope this turbulence ends soon. I didn't expect this to be such a wild ride. I hope I'm ready for everything that's coming my way on this journey.'

As the turbulence finally subsided, I let out a sigh of relief and tried to focus on the positive aspects of my journey. I started chatting with the person next to me, who turned out to be a cricket fan. We talked about our favorite players and memorable matches, and before I knew it, the flight had landed.

As I stepped off the plane and walked out of the airport, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. That's when I saw a person holding a board with my name on it. I approached him, and he was shocked to see me.

"You're Vipin Chaudhary?" he exclaimed, surprised.

I chuckled and explained that my physique was the result of my love for sports and dedication to training. The man took me to his car, and we headed towards Wankhede Stadium, the BCCI headquarters.

As we drove, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. What if I wasn't good enough for the team? What if I didn't live up to expectations? These thoughts raced through my mind, but I pushed them aside, trying to focus on the present moment.

Finally, we arrived at Wankhede Stadium. The sight of the stadium took my breath away. It was an iconic venue, and the thought of playing on its grounds was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

As I arrived at the stadium, I noticed that it was already evening, and the stadium was relatively empty. Only a few lights were on to guide the way. The person who picked me up, the team coordinator, asked me to go to a cabin to fill out a duly signed NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). I followed his instructions, feeling a little nervous about what I might have to agree to.

Once I was done with the NDA, the coordinator took me to the Oberoi Hotel, which was just 1.5 km away from the stadium. As we drove, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of the city. It was my first time in Mumbai, and everything was so new and exciting.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was greeted by a luxurious room that was fit for a king. I couldn't believe that I was here, a 16-year-old kid, playing for the Indian national cricket team. I was filled with gratitude and couldn't wait to start my journey with the team.

As I settled into my room, I couldn't help but feel a little homesick. I missed my family, but I knew that they were proud of me and that I was here because of all the hard work and sacrifices that they had made. I was determined to make them proud and to make the most of this opportunity.

After settling into my hotel room, I decided to take a warm bath. It was December, but the weather in Mumbai was milder than in Delhi. After my bath, I took a short nap for an hour.

However, soon after my nap, I received a call from the reception. I was informed that the team manager had called for me to attend a meet and greet session with the team, in a private hall. I was nervous, as I was about to meet legends, who I had only seen on television or in newspapers.

I quickly got dressed and made my way to the private hall. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and fear. I was about to meet the best cricketers in the country, and I was determined to make a good impression.

As I entered the hall, I saw the team, including the manager, all gathered around a table. They all turned to look at me, and I could feel their eyes sizing me up. I walked up to the manager and introduced myself. He smiled warmly and introduced me to the team.

"Yo man, welcome to the squad! You're a young gun, 16 years old and already playing for India, that's sick!" said Virender Sehwag with a grin.

"Thanks, I'm really excited to be here. I've been dreaming of this moment for years," I replied, still a little nervous.

"Just make sure you don't get too ahead of yourself, kiddo. We don't want you getting a big head," added Yuvraj Singh with a laugh.

"Ha ha, yeah I'll try not to," I replied, trying to shake off the nerves.

"Hey, do you have any questions for us? Ask anything, we just ordered some food" asked Sachin Tendulkar, sounding friendly.

"Uh, yeah actually I do. How do you guys pay taxes on the bat sponsorships you get?" the protagonist asked, a little embarrassed by his question.

Everyone erupted in laughter and Anil Kumble replied, "Oh boy, you have a lot to learn, don't you? That's why we have agents and managers to take care of that stuff."

"So, how's it feel to be here with the big guns?" asked Irfan Pathan with a smile, as the team sat down for dinner.

"It's crazy, I never thought I'd be here so soon. I still can't believe it," I replied, still in awe of his surroundings.

"Well, you earned it kid. You must have some serious skills to make it this far," added Zaheer Khan, as he took a bite of his food.

"Thanks, I've been working really hard and I'm grateful for the opportunity," I said, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.

"Hey, don't be so serious all the time. We like to have a good time too," said Yuvraj Singh with a mischievous grin.

"Yeah, like the time I took down Viru Paaji in a game of card," added Harbhajan Singh with a laugh.

"Hey, don't bring that up! I still haven't lived that down," Virender replied with a chuckle.

The team laughed and continued their meal, sharing stories and memories from their careers. I listened in awe, soaking up all the advice and experiences the senior players had to offer.

After dinner we all went out for a walk and soon everyone was dismissed to their rooms.

So, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. I kept replaying the conversations I had with the team members over and over in my head. I couldn't believe I was finally living my dream of playing cricket for India alongside some of the greatest players of all time.

Just then, I heard a knock on my door. I got out of bed and opened the door to see Sachin Tendulkar standing there with a smile on his face.

"Hey kid, you okay? Can't sleep?" Sachin asked.

"No, I'm just too excited. I can't believe I'm here and playing with you guys," I replied.

"I remember my first time playing for India, I was just as nervous as you are. But trust me, you'll get used to it. Just keep working hard and having fun, that's what it's all about," Sachin said, patting me on the back.

"Thanks, Unc… Sir. I really appreciate your advice. I'm just so grateful to be here," I said, feeling overwhelmed.

"Hey there, slow down my friend. Just because I'm 33, doesn't mean I'm over the hill. It's still the prime of life! And 17 years between us? That's just a blip on the radar. Let's forget about the age difference and just call me Sachin Paaji, like everyone else." Sachin ended with a cheerful grin.

"Oh, sorry Sachin Paaji. I didn't mean to offend you," I replied, a little taken aback by Sachin's sudden change in tone.

"It's all good, kid. Just kidding around. Just enjoy these moments" Sachin said with a smile, putting a hand on the protagonist's shoulder.

I smiled back, grateful for the veteran cricketer's encouragement. "Thanks, I'm really looking forward to it."

"No problem, kiddo. We're all in this together. Now go get some sleep, tomorrow is a big day," Sachin said with a chuckle before walking back to his room.

The protagonist went back to bed with a smile on his face, finally feeling a little more at ease. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of playing cricket with the legends of Indian cricket.