**Scene 1: The Living Room - Gota, Ahmedabad**
The clock struck 2:30 PM IST, and the Sharma household in Gota, Ahmedabad, was buzzing with excitement. The India vs. New Zealand ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final was about to begin. Lihas Sharma sat cross-legged on the floor of their modest but cozy living room, eyes glued to the television. His father, Sitaram Sharma, occupied his favorite spot on the worn-out sofa, leaning forward with a mix of anticipation and pride. The aroma of freshly fried *pakoras* wafted from the kitchen, where Sunanda Sharma, still recovering from her recent surgery, insisted on preparing snacks despite her son's protests.
"Ma, you should rest," Lihas had said earlier that morning, but Sunanda had waved him off with a smile. "It's not every day India plays a final. Let me do this."
The television blared with the pre-match commentary as experts debated India's chances against New Zealand. The room was alive with energy—a stark contrast to the usual quiet of their rented home in Gota.
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**Scene 2: Family Dynamics**
Lihas's younger sister, Ananya Sharma, a spirited 19-year-old college student, entered the room carrying a tray of steaming chai cups. "Bhaiya," she teased, "if India loses today, you'll have to treat me to pizza."
"Not happening," Lihas replied with mock seriousness. "India's winning this one. Rohit Sharma is in top form."
Sitaram chuckled. "Don't jinx it! Remember what happened in the 2019 World Cup semi-final?"
"Papa!" Lihas groaned. "That was years ago. This is different."
The conversation flowed effortlessly as they sipped chai and munched on *pakoras*. Despite their financial struggles—rising rents for both their home and workshop, mortgage payments for the house they owned but couldn't live in—moments like these brought them together.
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**Scene 3: The Toss**
The toss was about to happen. The camera zoomed in on Rohit Sharma and Mitchell Santner standing under the blazing Dubai sun. "Heads," Rohit called as the coin spun in the air.
"It's tails," announced the match referee. New Zealand chose to bat first.
"Good," Sitaram said, adjusting his glasses. "Chasing suits us better."
Lihas nodded but felt a twinge of nervousness. Cricket wasn't just a game for him—it was an escape from his daily grind as a welder and co-owner of a small workshop with his father.
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**Scene 4: First Innings - New Zealand Bats**
As New Zealand's openers walked onto the field, Sunanda joined them in the living room, carefully lowering herself onto a chair. Ananya handed her a cushion for support.
The first few overs were uneventful—tight bowling from Mohammad Shami and Arshdeep Singh kept New Zealand's scoring in check. But then Daryl Mitchell broke free with a series of boundaries.
"Arre yaar!" Lihas exclaimed as Mitchell smashed a six over long-on.
"Calm down," Sitaram said. "It's just one over."
But by the 15th over, New Zealand had built momentum. Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell steadied their innings after early wickets fell.
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**Scene 5: Family Banter**
During a drinks break, Ananya turned to Lihas. "Bhaiya, if you were playing for India today, what would your strategy be?"
Lihas laughed. "Simple—bowl yorkers like Bumrah used to."
"And if you were batting?" she pressed.
"Hit sixes like Dhoni," he replied with a grin.
Sunanda smiled at their banter but couldn't help worrying about her son. She knew how much pressure he was under—juggling mortgage payments for their recently purchased house while managing rent for both their home and workshop wasn't easy.
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**Scene 6: Turning Point - New Zealand Collapse**
By the 30th over, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav turned the game around with quick wickets. The Sharma family erupted in cheers as Jadeja dismissed Daryl Mitchell with a stunning catch off his own bowling.
"Jaddu!" Lihas shouted, punching the air.
New Zealand struggled to build partnerships after that and finished their innings at 251/8—a competitive but chaseable target.
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**Scene 7: Second Innings - India Chases**
As India's openers walked out to bat after the innings break, tension filled the room. Rohit Sharma started cautiously but soon found his rhythm with elegant cover drives and pull shots.
"Captain fantastic!" Sitaram exclaimed as Rohit brought up his fifty.
But just as things seemed under control, disaster struck—Rohit was stumped off Rachin Ravindra's bowling after a string of dot balls.
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**Scene 8: Personal Reflection Amidst Drama**
During a lull in the game, Lihas found himself lost in thought. Watching Rohit Sharma anchor India's innings reminded him of his own role in his family—a steady presence trying to hold everything together despite mounting challenges.
He glanced at his mother and felt a pang of guilt for not being able to afford better post-surgery care for her. He thought about his father working tirelessly at their rented workshop despite his age and about Ananya's dreams of studying abroad—dreams he wasn't sure he could help fulfill.
Cricket had always been more than just entertainment for Lihas—it was a metaphor for life itself. Every run scored felt like progress; every wicket lost felt like a setback.
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**Scene 9: Climax - Nail-Biting Finish**
As the match entered its final overs, India needed 20 runs off 12 balls with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya at the crease. The tension in the Sharma household was palpable.
"Hardik will finish it," Ananya said confidently.
"Let's hope so," Sitaram replied nervously.
When Rahul hit an unbeaten boundary to seal India's victory with six balls to spare, the room erupted in celebration. Sunanda clapped softly while Sitaram hugged Lihas tightly.
"We did it!" Lihas shouted, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy—not just for India's win but for this rare moment of unity and happiness amidst their struggles.
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**Scene 10: Post-Match Reflection**
As they cleaned up after dinner later that night, Lihas found himself smiling despite everything weighing on him—the mortgage payments, workshop rent, and family responsibilities could wait until tomorrow. For now, he allowed himself to savor this victory—not just for Team India but for his family too.
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