Chapter 185

The scoreboard read 200/5 with nine overs remaining. The task ahead for India was daunting, but not insurmountable. Nitish, walking to the crease with Ravindra Jadeja, carried the weight of a billion hopes on his shoulders. The partnership between them was crucial, not just for the innings but for setting a formidable target against a strong Australian side.

From the outset, Nitish and Jadeja were clear in their intent – to cross the 300 mark, no matter what it took. They began by focusing on rotating the strike, stealing quick singles, and converting ones into twos. Their running between the wickets was exemplary, a blend of agility and sheer determination. The Australian fielding was persistent, challenging every run, but Nitish and Jadeja's resolve was unyielding.

As the overs progressed, the duo picked their moments, scoring boundaries off loose deliveries, maintaining the pressure on the Australian bowlers. By the 45th over, India had reached a respectable 250/5, setting the stage for a final assault.

It was at this juncture that Nitish decided to up the ante. Requesting a heavier bat, a clear signal of his intentions, he took on Josh Hazlewood, one of Australia's premier fast bowlers. The over that followed was nothing short of spectacular, with Nitish smashing 22 runs, including a massive six that sent the ball sailing over the boundary. His fifty came off just 32 balls, a testament to his aggressive yet calculated approach.

The momentum had shifted, the Indian fans were back on their feet, and the Australian fielders could sense the tide turning. Nitish, now in full flow, targeted Mitchell Starc in the next over, plundering 18 runs with a display of clean hitting that left the spectators in awe. Pat Cummins, who had earlier silenced the crowd with his bowling, was not spared either, as Nitish dispatched him for 25 runs in a single over, a mix of finesse and brute force.

The crescendo of Nitish's innings came against Hazlewood once again. With each stroke, he edged closer to his century, a milestone that seemed inevitable given his form. And then, it happened – a beautifully timed shot that raced to the boundary, bringing up his first century of the World Cup 2023 in just 47 balls, the fastest ever by an Indian in the tournament's history. The stadium erupted in a thunderous ovation, a collective acknowledgment of a truly remarkable innings.

India finished their innings at 321/5, a total that was a direct challenge to Australia, reminiscent of the latter's performance against India in the 2015 semifinals. Nitish's innings, in particular, drew parallels with Steve Smith's exploit in that match, an innings that had once demoralized India but now served as inspiration for a sensational counter-attack.

As Nitish walked back to the pavilion, the applause followed him, a sound that echoed not just in the stadium but across streets and homes where millions watched. His helmet off, bat raised in acknowledgment, Nitish had not just scored a century; he had etched his name into the folklore of cricket, delivering when it mattered the most, under the brightest lights and against the toughest opponents.

The Australian team, known for their never-say-die attitude, realized the challenge that lay ahead. India, on the other hand, buoyed by Nitish's heroics and a total that seemed defendable, prepared for the second innings, knowing well that in cricket, the game is never over until the last ball is bowled.

Nitish's innings was a masterclass in aggression, strategy, and the art of seizing the moment. It was a reminder of the beautiful unpredictability of cricket, where heroes are made, legends are born, and the impossible is made possible. As the teams prepared for the second half of the final, the stage was set for a conclusion befitting the grandeur of the World Cup, a battle not just for the trophy but for a place in history.