Chapter 131: Promotion (3372 words)
Author’s Note:🏆
Hey everyone! Before we jump into today’s chapter, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for reading. Your votes, comments, and support mean the world to me. Happy reading! 💖
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If you like the story, remember to give a review. It’ll motivate me to continue with same passion ✌️😁
And, Extra love to some readers who are supporting me ❤️
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The Twitter:
#PlayBold #TheWolf
The digital world was struggling to keep up with the RCB juggernaut.
@CricLife24: “Can we talk about Rudra’s strike rate? It’s not even cricket anymore. It’s like EA cricket games. 261.53 vs Punjab? Stop it. 💀 #IPL2014”
@RCB_Fanatic: “ABD finishes it, Bhuvi defends it, but Rudra sets the house on fire. This team is unfathomable right now. 8 wins! #PlayBold”
@M_Starc: “Another win for the boys. @BhuviOfficial that last over was pure filth. 🎯 And @IAmRockyRudra ✅… stop hitting the ball so hard, the kit man is running out of spares!”
@Gita_Quotes: “RCB is looking scary. It’s the first time I’ve seen their bowling (Bhuvi/Starc) actually match their batting energy.”
@RajasthanRoyals_diehard: “12 from 6 and Bhuvi bowls 4 yorkers? That’s not fair. I’m going to bed. 😭 #RRvRCB”
@IndiaCricketHub: “Rudra’s last three scores: 138*, 68, 83. Total runs: 289. Average: 144.5. This is prime Don Bradman territory in a mullet.”
@TheRealKP: “Watching Rocky Rudra bat is like watching a highlights reel in real-time. The balance at the crease is 10/10.”
@MumbaiIndians_10 “Missing Rudra tonight. We really let a generational talent walk away for a bowl of pasta. Sigh.
@StatGuru_IPL: “RCB’s NRR is +3.412. FCK!To put that in perspective, they could lose their next three games by 100 runs and still be top.
@Cuttack_Express: “From Odisha with love! Rudra is making 1.2 billion people realize that Cuttack produces more than just silver—it produces GOLD. 💎
@HarshaBhogle_Fans: “The Wolf has become the shepherd, and the rest of the IPL is just the flock.” Harsha is peaking on commentary just like RCB!
@DesiABD_360: Masterclass from the Alien tonight, but how good is Rudra at the other end? He takes all the pressure off AB. Best duo in the world.
@Swing_King: “4 yorkers. 3 runs. That’s why he’s the best death bowler in India right now. Silence in the stadium was beautiful. #LastOverThriller”
@IPL_Insiders: “Scared for whoever faces RCB in the playoffs. If Rudra doesn’t get you, ABD will. If they don’t, Kohli will. And if you bat, Bhuvi and Starc are waiting. 💀”
___
There was no longer a nervous energy when RCB bowls.
Instead, there was a quiet confidence that they could achieve that long lasting dream.
The smell of victory was as thick as the humidity in the air, and at the center of it all was a 19-year-old prodigy who bat like peak Punter.
The playoffs were calling, and the Wolf was ready to answer.
___
The air in the Extra Innings T20 studio was thick with the scent of high-grade hairspray, expensive cologne, and the faint, ozone-heavy hum of dozens of LED monitors.
Outside the glass-walled studio, the Mumbai humidity was a palpable weight, but inside, the air conditioning was cranked down to a crisp 18°C.
Sameer Kochhar, looking sharp in a tailored charcoal suit, adjusted his earpiece as the floor manager counted down with his fingers.
Five… four… three…
The iconic IPL theme music—that frantic, high-octane trumpet fanfare—blasted through the studio speakers, vibrating in the chests of everyone present.
“Namaste, India! Welcome back to Extra Innings T20!” Sameer shouted into the camera, his voice carrying that familiar, polished electricity.
“Tonight, we aren’t just talking about a game. We are talking about a phenomenon. A storm that started in Cuttack, brewed in the maidans of Mumbai, and is now obliterating every record in the IPL book. We are talking about the man they call, the Wolf.”
Beside him, Gaurav Kapur, wearing a quirky patterned shirt and a grin that stretched from ear to ear, leaned into the frame.
“Sameer, let’s be honest. At this point, we shouldn’t be showing scorecards for Rocky Rudra. We should be showing crime scenes. What he is doing to bowlers is technically illegal in most countries!”
___
The Statistical Carnage: 671 Runs of Fury
“Let’s look at the numbers, Gaurav,” Sameer said, gesturing to the massive digital screen behind them.
The screen flickered, and a graphic of Rocky Rudra…lean, wiry, with that razor-sharp jawline and damp mullet, appeared, looking every bit the predator.
The studio lights dimmed to a deep crimson as the “Wolf’s Hunt” segment began, flashing the scorecard of the first nine matches.
Match 1 vs. DD: The Lightning Strike
“It started with a massacre,” Gaurav narrated over the clip of Rudra’s 12-ball fifty. “A 50 off 12 balls. The fastest in IPL history. He ended with 86 off 39 balls. Poor Delhi didn’t know what hit them. The strike rate was 220.51.”
Match 4 vs. RR: The Masterpiece
The screen showed Rudra carving the Rajasthan attack for a massive 132 off 52 balls.
“11 Fours, 10 Sixes,” Sameer noted. “The technicality of his pull shot—it’s pure Ricky Ponting, no, it’s beyond the legendary. He’s leaning into the ball, transferring weight, and then… boom. SR of 253.85. He made professional bowlers look like they were bowling with a wet tennis ball.”
Match 7 vs. MI: The Homecoming
The studio fell silent for a moment as the 138* clip played.
“This was the one,” Gaurav said, his voice hushed. “The Wankhede. Against his old team. 138* off 46. A strike rate of exactly 300.00. I was there, Sameer. The sound of that reverse scoop against Bumrah… it didn’t sound like a bat. It sounded like a gunshot.”
…
“Look at that, Gaurav,” Sameer pointed at the bottom line. “671 runs in 8 matches. He missed one game with a niggle, and yet he’s sitting on top of the Orange Cap leaderboard like it’s his personal throne. The next best isn’t even in the same zip code.”
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The Expert Panel: 2013 vs 2014
The camera panned to the expert panel where Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu were seated.
“Sunny Paaji,” Gaurav asked, “we keep seeing these numbers, but take us back to last year. We all remember how he arrived in 2013 for MI. People think he’s a one-season wonder, but the data says otherwise.”
Gavaskar leaned forward, his eyes bright behind his glasses. “Gaurav, what we saw in 2013 was the foundation. He led Mumbai Indians to their first-ever title as a debutant. 644 runs in 10 matches. An average of 92.00 because he remained not out three times in high-pressure chases. And a strike rate of 187.00.”
Sidhu chimed in, his voice booming.
“Guru! Last year he was a spark, this year he is a forest fire! In 2013, he was a silent assassin. This year, he’s a loud, brazen warrior. His impact on the field… you can’t measure it in runs. When Rocky Rudra is at the crease, the bowler’s heart rate is at 180 bpm. The captain’s field settings become useless. He hits the ball where the fielders aren’t, and even if they are there, the ball is traveling so fast they can only pray it doesn’t hit them!”
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Enter the Villains: The Ek Villain Promotion
“Speaking of high-octane drama,” Sameer said, turning toward the entrance of the studio, “We have guests who know a thing or two about dark characters and intense narratives. Please welcome the stars of the upcoming film Ek Villain—Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor!”
The studio floodlights shifted into a moody blend of deep purple and crimson.
The iconic, haunting whistle theme from the film’s soundtrack echoed crisp and clear through the studio speakers.
Stepping onto the set came Sidharth Malhotra, wearing a sharp dark jacket over an unbuttoned collar, alongside Shraddha Kapoor, who brought a bright, infectious energy to the stage in an elegant summer dress.
The live studio audience erupted.
“Sidharth, Shraddha, welcome to Extra Innings!” Gaurav beamed, stepping forward to greet them with warm handshakes. “We were literally just discussing a different kind of ‘villain’—a man who has been terrorizing bowling attacks all across the country. Have you guys been keeping up with the Rocky Rudra storm?”
Sidharth Malhotra chuckled, adjusting his jacket as he leaned into his microphone with his characteristic, laid-back Delhi warmth.
Sidharth Malhotra: “Honestly Gaurav, I think the entire country is hooked right now, ya… I was actually catching the match against Punjab the other night—that 68 off 26 was just mental. As an actor, you know, you try to project intensity on screen, you prep for it… but what Rocky brings onto that field? That’s just pure, unfiltered energy. You can’t fake that kind of presence. It comes from a very real, driven place.”
Shraddha Kapoor leaned forward, her hands clasped lightly over her knee, her face lighting up with genuine enthusiasm.
“Oh, I’m a massive fan! Seriously, my brother and I literally pause whatever we’re doing when he comes out to bat. But you know what I love the most? It’s how completely effortless he makes it look. He’ll launch a ball clean out of the stadium, into the top tier, and then just casually tap his bat and adjust his gloves like it’s no big deal. It’s just… so effortlessly cool!”
Sameer Kocchar: “That actually ties in so well with your film’s theme. In Ek Villain, the antagonist drives the whole narrative edge. Looking at the IPL right now, has Rocky essentially become the ultimate ‘villain’ for every bowler in the league?”
Sidharth grinned, nodding in agreement.
Sidharth Malhotra: “Interesting thought, Sameer… but yeah, 100%. He’s definitely the guy bowling attacks are losing sleep over right now. I mean, watching that 138 against Mumbai at the Wankhede? He was taking on Malinga and Zaheer Khan like it was a casual net session. That precise, uncompromising edge—that’s the exact flavor of intensity we’ve tapped into for Ek Villain.”
“That ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ vibe.”
____
The broadcast monitors flashed the high-resolution photo from the post-match presentation at Wankhede—the exact image currently melting the global internet.
Rocky Rudra stood on the podium, his iconic red-and-gold RCB jersey heavily caked in wet Wankhede soil, his dark hair clinging to his forehead with sweat, and a razor-sharp jawline catching the harsh stadium floodlights. His face remained completely unsmiling—serious, intensely focused, and strikingly handsome.
The live studio audience, packed with young women, erupted into a deafening wall of cheers.
“Look at that shot,” Gaurav Kapoor teased, leaning back in his chair with a grin. “The ‘Wolf’ captured right in his natural habitat.”
Shraddha Kapoor had been quiet for a moment, her eyes fixed on the secondary monitor displaying a slow-motion highlights package—Rocky leaning back to crush a pull shot against Malinga, the dirt smeared across his shoulder, and that calm, cold look he cast toward the roaring stands.
“Shraddha,” Gaurav nudged, “The digital world is going nuts. We saw that live reaction picture you posted during the final over. What’s your take on the Wolf?”
Shraddha turned toward her microphone, her expression shifting from pure fandom into quiet awe.
She held a soft, playful smile, her posture relaxed yet captivated.
“I think… honestly, I think I speak for every single girl in India right now. Just look at him! The raw grit, the dirt on that jersey, that deadpan expression… he’s stepped far beyond just being an elite cricketer. After this match, Rocky Rudra has officially become the National Crush of India 🥰.”
The studio exploded instantly, a wave of loud cheers and laughter rippling through the stands.
Sidharth Malhotra chuckled, nodding along as he adjusted his dark jacket with effortless Delhi charm.
Sidharth Malhotra: “He’s nailed the whole ‘Villain’ aesthetic perfectly—that dark, intense energy. Honestly, if we weren’t sitting here promoting our own film, I’d admit he’s the real box-office star of this summer.”
“No, really!”
Shraddha continued, her tone softening into genuine, heartfelt admiration. “It’s so much more than just his looks, though. It’s the entire journey. When you read about him coming up from Cuttack, grinding through those grueling sessions at Azad Maidan, staying so humble with the local groundsmen… it instantly makes you want to root for him. He feels like a fictional hero who somehow walked straight out of a novel and into real life. He’s authentic.”
Sidharth Malhotra: “100%, ya… He’s got that classic ‘Hero’ presence, but backed by a ‘Villain’s’ ruthless edge. That combination is absolute gold.”
The studio audience roared in complete agreement, the energy in the room reaching a fever pitch.
____
Gaurav Kapur then looked at the camera, his expression turning mock-serious.
“Wait, we have another special footage. This is from the RCB dugout just after the Mumbai game. Look at the sweat on his face.”
The screen showed a high-definition close-up of Rocky. You could see the individual droplets of sweat rolling down his chiselled jaw, the red dust of the pitch embedded in the pores of his skin.
He was drinking water, his Adam’s apple moving rhythmically, his eyes fixed on the field.
“You can almost smell the tension,” Sameer whispered. “The smell of the grass, the heat of the lights, the roar of the crowd. This is what 138* (46) looks like up close.”
“It’s the eyes for me,” Shraddha added, leaning closer to the monitor. “He looks so focused, but if you look closely, there’s a little bit of a cheeky gleam there. Like he knows exactly what he’s doing to everyone’s heartbeats.”
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Expert Final Thoughts (From Sony Six)
As the segment drew to a close, Harsha turned back to the experts.
“So, Sanjay, Shoaib… we have the ‘National Crush’ endorsement. We have the stats of a god. Where does Rocky Rudra go from here?”
“He goes to the trophy,” Shoaib said firmly. “He missed out on the title with MI last year? No, he won it with them. Now he wants to give Bangalore their first. He is playing with a chip on his shoulder.”
“Technically,” Sanjay concluded, “He is in a zone where the ball looks like a football. My only advice to him? Stay hungry. Don’t let the ‘National Crush’ title distract you, Rocky. Keep that ‘Khadoos’ Mumbai spirit alive, even in the Bangalore red.”
The show faded to a commercial break with the Ek Villain whistle playing over a montage of Rudra’s sixes—each shot more audacious than the last, the “Wolf” carving his name into the history of the game one thunderous strike at a time.
___
Scene shifted to Sony Max, Extraaa Innings T20.
“Before we let you go, Sidharth, Shraddha,” Sameer said, “Give us one word to describe Rocky Rudra’s season so far.”
Sidharth didn’t hesitate.
“Unstoppable.”
Shraddha looked at the screen one last time, where Rocky was seen lifting his helmet to acknowledge the crowd.
“Incredible.” She paused, then added with a mischievous grin, “And maybe… a little bit addictive.”
“There you have it!” Gaurav shouted as the music started to swell again.
“The Wolf is on the prowl, the Villains are in the house, and the IPL has never looked better! 671 runs, a National Crush title, and a date with destiny in the playoffs.”
As the cameras cut to a break, the studio was a whirlwind of activity.
Shraddha and Sidharth stayed back for a few minutes, looking at a printed photo of Rocky’s 138* celebration.
Shraddha traced the soil-stained jersey in the photo with her finger, her expression thoughtful, perfectly capturing the emotional gravity of a season that had turned a cricketer into a legend.
The lights dimmed slightly for the commercial, but the buzz in the room and the nation—remained at a fever pitch.
The Wolf wasn’t just winning games, outside the field, he was winning hearts, already becoming a heartthrob.
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