We spend millions on security.
This is just unacceptable.
Call the commissioner.
I want heads to roll.
Mr. Sardesai!
Shinde, what do you think?
Those assholes…
why did they vent their anger on the pitch?
It takes months to prepare a pitch like this!
Calm down, Shinde.
Just tell us, can the match be played?
We've sold 55,000 tickets!
The fans have been waiting outside for hours!
Mr. Shukla, we should inform the ICB and cancel the match.
We can't cancel it, we'll become laughing stocks.
We've already become laughing stocks.
We're the headlines on news channels and papers across the world!
-So, what do I do? -Will you two shut up?
Miss Ayesha…
this is the first match of your tenure as Mumbai cricket President.
Make your decision after careful consideration.
But please do it quickly.
The leader of the opposition party, Bhalerao Patankar
has taken responsibility for this sabotage.
And he has also said he won't let any India-Pakistan match
be played anywhere in the state.
Let's talk to him about it.
Sir, what do you have to say on the matter?
What can I say?
Our soldiers have been sacrificing their lives at the border…
and these people want to play cricket?
No, that won't do.
I won't let that happen.
Morning.
You really don't have to.
One thing I've learned from my brother is…
not to give a fuck about what other people think.
Bon appetit.
Thanks.
Can I please have a moment?
I'm Ayesha Dewan, Chairperson of the Mumbai Cricket Board.
I'm sure you're aware that last night, some goons damaged the pitch very badly.
Therefore, we have to cancel the day's cricket.
However, we're looking for a different stadium,
so that the match can begin tomorrow.
We're really sorry about this and we shall update you soon.
-Thank you. -What the fuck is going on?
Yes, sir.
The match will resume tomorrow.
Sir, hold on a second.
Yes, Mr. Jaisingh?
Sir, there will be no air time for your ads today.
That's right, on a pro-rata basis.
I'll keep you updated. Thank you.
Sir!
I understand…
Sir.
It has been called off, sir.
They are organizing another venue.
How much will we lose?
All the ad inventory for the day, sir.
Almost a million dollars.
So, gentlemen, I want a full report of the security details
of all the hotels accommodating the Pakistani cricketers.
What happened in Mumbai cannot happen at other venues, please try to…
The agenda for the meeting-- Excuse me!
May I have your attention, please?
Excuse--
You can't just walk in here like this.
-We were discussing important things. -Kruger Sports.
What?
You need to cancel that contract.
Why?
Come on, Zarina, you know very well…
Bhaisaab canceled Sportel's contract and gave it to Kruger Sports so that…
Roger could have Mantra exonerated.
Well, you may be right but…
how can I simply cancel the contract?
It'll look whimsical.
Not at all, actually.
It's simple.
You, the newly appointed Chairperson of the ICB…
decided to investigate the bid and found that…
there was no rigging.
Sportel Network won it fair and square.
Look…
we can cancel it after the series is finished.
If we cancel it in the middle of the series, it'll be chaos.
All great changes are born from chaos, Zarina.
Don't you want to see things change?
I mean, you becoming the first female President of the ICB.
That's change.
Now let Monica have her moment.
It's too arbitrary.
I don't want to do this.
Okay.
What do you want to do, then?
You want to go to jail?
Or struggle in your acting career again?
Or do you want to lose your newly earned position?
It's totally your decision, President.
If you wanted to call the shots,
why didn't you become President yourself?
Why have an "election" and make me the President instead?
I really…
really enjoy power.
But this…
Power without accountability.
Man, this is something else.
Kruger Sports.
Cancel that contract.
Today.
Surprise!
-Oh, Rohit… -What are you doing here?
Well, since you're free now…
I thought we should take advantage of this unexpected holiday.
Oh my, look at this bed!
What is this, goose down?
Oh, no, this is duck down.
Where are the other cricketers?
With their wives and girlfriends?
Their "WAGs".
You know, I just hate this term.
It's so sexist.
As if we all have just one sexuality.
No! You know…
the correct term should be…
SAPs!
Spouses and Partners.
Gender-neutral, right?
What's wrong? Are you hungry?
Should we order something? Or we can go down to the restaurant.
Oh, you know what?
We could invite the boys to join us.
No, no, I really don't think that's a good idea.
What, ordering in or stepping out?
You know I skip meals on match days, so…
Really, since when?
I mean, I've been advised to.
Okay, we can order something light at least.
I know how you like chicken wings and nuggets…
Allen, I need to get to training alright?
Why don't you go ahead and order something?
Training? Now, on the ground?
Yeah.
Okay, but they're fixing the dug-up pitches, right?
I mean, with heavy security.
I don't know what the plan is, Allen…
Look…
You shouldn't have come.
I thought it would make you happy.
I am, I am!
Well, if that's your happy face, Rohit…
How do I say this to you, I just…
I can't be seen like this.
Like this?
But you've no problem being seen with ten other men thumping chests together.
But you can't be seen with me.
No, I get it, Rohit.
But I can't accept all this.
Meeting sneakily, living a life of lies…
I can't do that.
Because you're ashamed of me.
And you're ashamed of us, and you're ashamed of being gay.
I'm not ashamed of us, I'm not ashamed of anything…
I'm definitely not ashamed of being gay.
-It's just-- -No, it's over.
It's over, Rohit.
-Are you breaking up-- -Yes.
I am.
And I…
Good luck with your match.
Allen!
Fuck.
The Mumbai Cricket Board has changed the venue overnight
after yesterday's incident.
The first India-Pakistan test match
will now be played at Navi Mumbai's Patil Stadium.
I'm sure that you must have never seen the fans this excited before.
Fans have been waiting since 4:00 a.m.
for the clock to turn to 9:00 a.m. and this historic match to begin.
Which team do you think will win?
India, India!
Lunch boxes, water bottles, matchboxes, lighters.
Do not allow such objects into the stadium.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
One minute.
Hello?
There is a bomb in the stadium.
Miss Zarina, we have checked the entire stadium thoroughly.
There is no bomb.
And the call has been traced to Bhalerao Patankar's farmhouse.
More than 65,000 people will be in the stadium.
That's a serious security concern.
Sir, with all due respect…
I think you're overreacting.
A similar terrorist attack happened in Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
The cricketers had to be airlifted out of the stadium.
You're comparing political goons to terrorists?
If they carry out this threat, will the Board take responsibility?
Sir, what do you think we should do?
Cancel the match.
What?
Do you even know what you're saying?
The broadcasters will kill us.
We can't cancel the match.
Cancel the day's play.
We'll take a call on the match later.
Great.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have to cancel the day's play
due to the bomb threat and violence outside the stadium.
However, we are waiting for the agencies to secure the stadium
and hopefully, we should have a match tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Hello?
My 300 crores.
Cash or crypto, both are fine.
Look at the fucking mess, Dhawan.
The fans are pissed off, and that's an understatement.
Do you think they're going to tune in to watch the match…
when they've been returned from the stadium kicking and screaming?
Where are your manners?
Did your parents not teach you to be thankful?
No.
But business school did teach me that
when you pay for something, you demand full service.
Hey, my work ended when I got you that contract.
But I like you.
So, I'll work my magic.
You're going to pull a rabbit out of the hat?
Is that how you're going to get me views?
Shut down the protests?
You're asking for a huge favor.
Do you have any plan to return this favor?
Don't be so impatient, Mr. Patankar.
We'll settle that later.
Settle?
Later?
Alright.
I'll remember that.
Care to join me?
Looks very inviting.
But I didn't bring my swimming costume.
I'll give you one!
Don't worry.
Hey, Jagya!
Bring the costumes!
This costume will look great on you, Miss Sudha.
Mr. Patankar…
you don't give up.
I'm not used to it.
You want me to wear this now? Take it away.
Man, I come out of Kashmir and am under curfew even here?
Want to break curfew and go out somewhere?
So, do you always take new team members out on a date?
Do you always take a girl on a ride in your fancy car
right after meeting her for the first time?
No, I usually take girls in a rickshaw.
But you know, I wanted to impress the analyst of the Indian team,
so I took a little advantage of having a wealthy father.
Yeah, your dad does help fulfill your wishes quite a bit, right?
Sorry.
Well, he did help me get into the team, so…
He thinks I'm wasting my time playing cricket.
Politics is more important.
Anyway, your turn.
What about your family?
You're from Chennai, right?
It's okay if you don't want to talk about it.
My father was Vijay Subramanium.
-Wait, the batsman who fixed… -Yes.
I just found out and…
I don't know what to do.
So, you haven't told Vayu about any of this?
I mean, he'd be interested to learn about his dad too, right?
I tried.
But he doesn't understand.
He thinks we should let the past be.
Move on, look forward.
Nothing wrong with that.
Mr. Ghulam Akbar.
We taught you to swing a blade…
and you used the blade to chop our head off.
You turned out to be rather disloyal.
I voted for Bhaisaab because it looked like he would win.
So, you mean you aren't disloyal…
but unlucky.
I don't know any more Urdu, so this one is in English.
You backed the wrong man, Mr. Akbar.
-I was backing my son, he-- -He'll be back home soon.
Meet him then.
There will be no more fights in the dressing room or debates on TV.
The sport's name will not be tarnished, and that's all I really care about.
One's name retains its strength even if it is tarnished.
Well said!
You want to capitalize on your name, your son's name…
What's in it for me?
Word on the inside is that the TV channels are unhappy with their deal.
Think about it.
If this boy shows the Pakistanis their place on the cricket field…
the TV channels' declining TRPs…
and your fallen market value…
will both skyrocket.
That's why you should forget about me, and think about yourself.
Sir, I have an issue.
The Pakistani team has played just 17 tests in the last three years.
Which is hardly anything to work on.
I don't even have enough data,
and these guys keep changing their players.
We don't have an overall strategy, sir. What if we can't get them out?
We hold strong.
We wait for the intangibles.
Crowd support, condition of the pitch.
Hopefully, they'll make a mistake and collapse as usual.
Like I said, data can only take you thus far.
Coach, what the fuck is going on?
-What the hell is this? -I know what you're trying to say, Vayu.
You're the captain.
You can keep and remove anyone from the team, it is your decision.
But this decision has come straight from the top.
We have no choice.
Coach, are you fucking crazy?
This kid has no experience, it's a three-day game.
We've already chosen our playing eleven, man.
You have until the toss to decide the playing eleven.
And don't forget, the conditions have changed now.
-The conditions-- -Vayu.
Pakistan has no experience playing against him either.
-So, a three-day game-- -You're supporting this VIP quota asshole?
-Are you serious? -Vayu, he's sitting right there, stop it.
Listen, think of it as…
giving someone from my potentials list a shot to play in a PPL game.
You've seen him play, he's good!
Rohini, bowling in the nets or in a PPL game is one thing.
Playing in an India-Pakistan test match is a whole different ball game.
Even if you bowling and beat Vayu Raghavan?
Flattery is not going to get us anywhere, coach.
Look, half of these guys already hate my guts, okay?
This is going to be the final nail in the coffin for me, man.
Vayu, what's more important?
Winning this popularity contest or winning a test as captain?
Listen…
it's anyway an alternate pitch, right?
The groundsman didn't have a chance to prepare it.
No grass, uneven bounce, so…
Imaad could be our mystery bowler.
They will have no idea how to play him.
Rohini, stop fighting this case on his behalf.
I'm not speaking on his behalf, Vayu.
We have no option, Vayu.
Tell you what.
Take this punt.
If it works, you'll get the credit.
And if it fails…
I'll say I insisted on including Imaad in the team.
Sounds fair?
Whatever man, fuck this shit.
Crowds are back in full force.
All is forgiven and forgotten.
India and Pakistan, after 13 long years.
What a cracker of a series this promises to be.
Heads.
It's heads.
We'll have a bat first.
-Congratulations. -Thank you, likewise.
And we're declaring.
Pakistan declares its first innings too.
I have both the captains alongside me.
Well, that was an unusual call.
What was the reason for both teams to declare their first innings for zero?
-Yeah-- -I think…
we've already lost two days.
I suggested to Vayu that we do this for the fans.
We play for them, after all. Right?
Right. Like he said, this one is for the fans.
We declare so that there is a chance of a result.
Big sporting gesture by the teams.
The fans have been denied two days for all the wrong reasons.
And this move all but guarantees a result.
Welcome to the commentary box, Gautam.
The Indian openers take guard.
And here's the Pakistani spearhead, Babar Ahmed.
Bedi to face.
First ball of the series.
And oh, it's lethal!
He's bowled him off the very first ball.
Big wicket off the first ball for Pakistan.
Completely bamboozled by the pace.
Not what the batsman was expecting.
Not what the Indian supporters were expecting.
Everyone is stunned.
35,000 people and you can hear a pin drop.
Nico, I want you to switch places.
Come at number four.
Let Rohit come at number five.
Got it?
Why are you looking there?
Un-fucking-believable.
Well, the crowd's recovered rather quickly here.
Finding their voice for the new captain of India.
Even Vayu would not have imagined being out here so soon.
Oof, that's a nasty bouncer!
Welcome to the crease, Vayu Raghavan!
The Pakistani seamer is fired up.
Sending a well-rounded message.
And here's the stare down.
Well, he sets up the next ball nicely.
That's a cracking cover drive for four.
No one's going to stop that. You called it, Andy.
More mid-pitch banter! Just look at this.
A full-on exchange. Vayu is in the thick of it, as he so often is.
And Babar Ahmed is not shy either.
India are at 78 for the loss of three wickets.
The off-spinner is being brought in to bowl.
And that's bowled!
Tricked the batsman completely.
Nico has been sent back to the pavilion for a score of only 12 runs.
The next batsman is Rohit.
The current and erstwhile captain playing together.
Their rivalry will be worth looking out for.
No words exchanged when they came across each other on the field.
Looks tense out there, doesn't it, Atul?
Well, when playing against an opponent as difficult as Pakistan
one must forget internal rivalries and conflicts.
I'm sure these two talented batsmen
will form a good partnership for the country.
Yes!
Rohit wants the third, Vayu starts off, says "no"!
Rohit's too far down the pitch, he's scrambling back, mix up in the field.
Lucky for Rohit.
Well, well, well.
Not too many singles taken.
Both batsmen scoring mostly off boundaries.
Yeah, the calling has been dodgy in this partnership.
Vayu pushes the ball towards off, he calls for a run.
But he changes his mind!
Rohit is too far down the pitch, he's gone!
"Yes, no, maybe."
This was a mix-up waiting to happen.
Worst way to go in a test, especially when you're set as a batsman.
Rohit is absolutely livid.
And Vayu, he knows…
He knows deep down that it's his fault.
Raghavan on 98.
He has taken his chances, but with no second innings,
his approach cannot be faulted.
So, Andy, will he opt for the single or go for the boundary?
It's Vayu Raghavan, Gautam.
He missed the day in school when they talked about patience being a virtue.
Vayu smacks it. An ungainly cross-batted shot to the onside.
It's racing to the boundary but it will be cut off. No matter!
He completes two runs with a giant leap over the crease and with it
gets to his first century as captain!
Also, his first against Pakistan and sixth overall.
A stand-up knock, leading by example.
He knew he had to ensure a respectable score to chase.
And he's done exactly that.
The Pakistani team sportingly applauding the effort here as well.
And that's out!
Babar has erupted like thunder.
He bamboozled Vayu with that terrific delivery.
Even more trading of words between the players.
If these early sparks are any indication, this series is going to be a firecracker.
This was Babar's fifth wicket, and the fans applaud his performance too.
India are at 260 runs for 7 wickets.
Well played, boys!
If we play safely and get to 350 by afternoon tomorrow, game's on.
Yes, captain.
And Rohit, be more alert when you run, okay?
Really?
I should be more alert?
Who left the crease first?
I didn't give a call.
One can't rely on you, Vayu.
Half our time is spent guessing what you'll do next, or why.
What do you mean?
That I did it on purpose?
No. Not at all, man.
You don't do anything on purpose, right?
You didn't take my captaincy or my endorsements on purpose.
And you definitely didn't run me out on purpose, right?
-I didn't do this on purpose either. -Fuck!
-You know what, fuck you, man. -Fuck you, man!
You do whatever you feel like.
Let alone the opponent, your own teammates have to become mind readers around you.
No one can fucking count on you, Vayu!
Oh, fuck you, man.
What are you laughing at?
I'll do whatever I want to.
Everyone else here is. Look at this novice!
Suddenly, he's in the team. Take this, you prick!
Guys, what the fuck!
Stop!
Have you all lost it?
-Ever since the President's daughter-- -You are professional cricketers!
Not thugs on the street.
Behave yourselves!
-Sir, since the President's daughter-- -Angad, shut up!
If you keep fighting amongst yourselves, how will you win?
And Rohit.
Zaid.
Nico.
Whether you like it or not, Vayu is your, my and India's captain.
You have to listen to him.
It's your bloody national duty.
And the buck stops at him.
Now everyone, off to bed.
Sorry, sir.
Not you Vayu, Rohit.
You made this mess.
You'll clean it up too.
Pakistan are at 61 runs for the loss of 1 wicket.
They say that the pitch is best for batting on the second day.
Yes, Maninder, that's true.
And that's why India's last batsmen survived on the pitch for a while,
and took the score beyond 300.
That will be a psychological advantage for the Indian team.
But Pakistan have the advantage of time.
This match will surely have a result, that is now clear.
A fabulous on drive from captain Sultan,
and that's four off the first ball of the over.
Pakistan looking to attack, and that was a declaration of war.
I'm guessing the Pakistanis won't mind the hush here, Iftikhar.
It's music to my ears.
The batsmen have blunted the Indian seamers' attack.
And it really makes you wonder why they haven't brought the spinners on…
Especially Imaad. I mean, what's the strategy Gautam?
I assume they were keeping him under wraps like a secret weapon
much like how the Pakistanis have used the pacers in the past.
It beats me.
It was a questionable selection to begin with and it's even more so now.
The only explanation is that he's not fit.
A mistake from Rohit!
He's usually an excellent fielder, but he's dropped an easy catch.
As they say, so near yet so far.
Look's like even the Almighty is on Sultan's side after seeing his batting.
Well, the Almighty is certainly not on Rohit's side.
Everything has gone wrong for him in this match.
Leading edge and it's gone high up in the air.
No fielder underneath
but Imaad is running all the way over from deep extra cover
and that's a brilliant catch! My goodness!
Yeah, he's a hundred percent fit.
No excuse now!
First wicket for Nishikant after much toiling.
But he has the young debutante to thank for it.
Give him a bowl, captain Raghavan.
He's earned it.
Last ball of the day.
And that's six runs!
The Indian team heads to the dressing room
even before the ball is returned to the field.
They walk back with faltering hopes and a broken spirit.
A demoralizing performance.
Vayu Raghavan has displayed pretty ordinary captaincy so far.
Why he didn't bring on Imaad even after the seamers' failure.
Only Vayu or God knows.
End of Day 4, and Pakistan need 79 runs to win tomorrow.
Boss, legal's here to see you.
You've shelled out quite a bit.
The alimony, kids' maintenance…
And with all our funds wiped out,
the parent company has taken quite the hit too.
Yeah, I mean…
And then there's other outstanding too.
Your personal lawyers.
Chartered accountants.
It's not looking good.
Are you suggesting that I run away?
Or get chased out.
The board meets next week.
Yeah.
Mr. Patil.
Bhaisaab.
I did everything you asked for this contract.
And I paid the price that has cost the President of South Africa his job
and ended my marriage.
Now I'm going to lose my kids.
I beg you!
I beg you, please…
Please help me.
What happened was unfortunate, Roger.
But there's little I can do to help.
The final day of the first test.
Pakistan need 79 runs to win, and India need 6 wickets.
The first over of the day will be bowled by…
Nishikant?
I can't believe it!
What is the Indian captain thinking, Maninder?
Difficult to say!
You can see that the pitch is now ready for the spinners, and yet…
-Hey, bro! -What is it?
-What's your hotel room number? -Why?
-I want to hit a six… -Nishi, ignore him.
straight into your room.
The first over of the day hasn't even been bowled yet
and Vayu Raghavan has to step in to calm things down.
Well, a quick single.
Sultan Ali Khan on strike.
I'll show the fucker…
And that's six runs!
He hit a six on the last ball yesterday, and now six on his first ball today.
That's a rare sight in test cricket.
Sultan is establishing his sultanate on Nishikant's territory.
Century for Sultan Ali Khan!
The Pakistani captain has dominated the Indian attack.
What an inning!
Flair, panache, style.
It had it all.
I dare say he made it look easier than Vayu's effort.
It's Pakistan's game to lose now.
Fuck.
The bastard just isn't getting out. What should we do?
Imaad!
Vayu is finally doing what he should have done long ago.
Imaad will finally bowl now.
Well, good things come to those who wait.
Imaad Akbar finally has the ball after waiting for three days.
But what's the point?
Because neither the management
nor the captain have shown any faith in him.
Let's see what he can do.
It will be interesting to see what tricks he has up his sleeve.
Because nobody knows that yet, maybe not even Imaad Akbar.
But, Atul, we have often seen that this plays to a bowler's advantage.
The crowd is abuzz again, and here's Imaad's first ball.
Superb cover drive!
With this start, how will it end for Imaad?
Well, at any rate, it will be a quick end.
The boy's rattled, no doubt about it.
The poor sod's never even been in a first class game.
He's barely being able to keep it in line.
Forget about using the cracks on the pitch.
Vayu doing the right thing here. Telling Imaad to keep his chin up.
I'm sure the bowler and captain are both nervous.
Sharp turn, there's a huge appeal and it looks close.
The ball could've taken leg stump.
The Indians are not going to take no for an answer.
Yes, the finger goes up!
Imaad Akbar's first wicket is the Pakistani captain.
What a day for the young man.
Sultan's brilliant innings of 114 finally comes to a close.
But for Imaad Akbar, this is the stuff cricketing dreams are made of.
A huge scalp on debut.
But has it come too late?
Probably not enough to stop the Pakistani juggernaut.
Pakistan are running away with the game here.
They need 30 more to close this out, and have 3 wickets in hand.
Leg break wide of the wicket and that's stumped!
The batsman was expecting off-spin,
but Imaad Akbar fooled him with both his line and spin.
A raucous noise in the stadium thanks to India's comeback.
The match is now in a balance and anything could happen!
India's secret weapon Imaad Akbar has Pakistan shaking.
They'll have to build a partnership
without losing wickets to stay in the match.
Pakistan need only 4 runs to win.
Only a miracle can save India after Babar's cracking shots.
The ball is right up in the air off Babar's bat!
Imaad…
Makes a mistake, but no!
He's caught it and that's his fourth wicket!
Babar can't finish with class because Imaad has shoved it up his--
You're getting carried away, Maninder! Calm down, tiger, calm down.
So, here we are, ladies and gentlemen.
Pakistan need 4, one wicket in hand.
Here's Imaad.
He's bowled six on the trot.
For his thirty-odd runs.
What do you reckon?
Anything can happen in this game.
But the way Imaad has bowled, my money is on him
getting a wicket here for his five-for, and India to win.
I suppose they'd want to play out this over.
Take their chances in the next one.
One loose delivery, one slog, and it's game over.
Lots of tinkering with the field. India in search of that one last wicket.
Two dot balls, the batsman feeling the heat.
Is he going to play out the over, or risk going over the top?
Oh, and he's charged at it, chipping it high into the air.
Imaad's called it and turning back, this is going to be insanely difficult!
But he's taken it! India has won the first test!
A famous victory to be sure.
What a day it has been!
India outplayed most of the game,
their experienced pace attack completely ineffectual, getting nothing home.
And from nowhere comes this young Kashmiri boy
and wins it for his country!
Incredible!
By putting Imaad in the team
you have given Ghulam Akbar a chance to screw around politically.
If he wins the election because of the boy…
I will bring out my own screw.
Once it goes in, it won't come out.
Take care of it, Patil.