June 4, 2019 — Delhi, India
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
Event: India vs. Lebanon — FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, 2nd Round
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The sun set like an ember over Delhi, dragging with it the last breath of summer heat. The sky burned orange and violet as thousands made their way into the capital's grand stadium — flags in hand, voices rising, hope ignited.
India vs. Lebanon.
But for many in that crowd, there was only one name on their lips.
Arjun Dev.
Eighteen years. One ISL title. One AFC Champions League trophy.
And now, standing on the pitch in the blue of his country — again.
But for the first time, not as a boy.
As India's hope.
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✦ The National Camp
The training camp had been relentless.
Arjun arrived three days earlier, duffel over his shoulder, greeted with hugs, nods — and stares.
Many of his national teammates had watched him conquer Asia with Kerala Blasters. They knew his rise wasn't accidental. Still, in that quiet tension of elite competition, admiration often blurred with challenge.
Sunil Chhetri approached him first.
"You're not the boy from last year," the captain said, half-smiling. "You walk different now."
Arjun gave a small bow. "Because I carry more now."
Chhetri nodded, impressed. "Good. Let's see if your feet still listen to your heart."
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✦ Match Day — Under the Floodlights
Shaiju Damodaran's voice broke through the Malayalam commentary booth:
> "ഇന്ന് ഈ കോമ്പിനേഷൻ — അര്ജുൻ, സഹാൽ, ചെട്രി — ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഹൃദയമാകുന്നു.
(Today, this combination — Arjun, Sahal, Chhetri — becomes India's heart.)"
In the English box, the late Novy Kapadia's voice had been replaced by a younger protégé, but Novy's words lived on in tribute, echoing over the speakers:
> "If India ever had a footballing renaissance, it started in Kerala. And that boy there — #11 — was the first page."
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✦ Starting Lineup – India vs. Lebanon (Realistic)
India XI:
GK: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
RB: Rahul Bheke
CB: Sandesh Jhingan
CB: Anwar Ali
LB: Akash Mishra
CM: Jeakson Singh
CM: Sahal Abdul Samad
CAM: Arjun Dev
RW: Udanta Singh
LW: Lallianzuala Chhangte
ST: Sunil Chhetri (C)
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Coach: Igor Štimac
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✦ The Walk to the Anthem
The teams walked out.
Chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" and "Arjun! Arjun!" shook the stadium as the players lined up for the anthem.
Arjun stood between Sahal and Chhetri. His lips trembled slightly as the music swelled.
> "जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे…"
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people...
He sang it. But his mind drifted — not to the stadium, but to his mother watching from the stands.
To his father's photo tucked in his locker.
To Kalyani, who had sent him a message earlier that morning:
> "Wherever you go next… don't forget why you started."
And to a fan video sent from Thrissur that ended with the line:
> "Oru paadam, oru veeran…"
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✦ The Match
From the whistle, India pressed high.
Jeakson was a wall. Sahal sprayed passes with elegance. And Arjun — Arjun was everywhere.
His turn in the 16th minute left two Lebanese midfielders scrambling. His through-ball to Udanta nearly cracked the game open.
But it wasn't until the 38th minute that the stadium erupted.
Chhetri dropped deep, passed wide to Sahal, who danced past his marker and laid it off to Arjun.
25 yards out. No hesitation.
He curled it.
Top corner.
1–0.
> Shaiju Damodaran:
"ആദ്യവട്ടം ഒരു കളിക്കാരൻ തങ്ങളുടെ ആവേശം ആകാശം വരെയെത്തിക്കുന്നു! അര്ജുൻ ദേവ് — ഇന്ത്യയുടെ സ്വപ്നത്തിന്റെ ശബ്ദമാണ്!
(For the first time, a player takes their passion skyward! Arjun Dev — is the voice of India's dreams!)"
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✦ At Halftime
Inside the locker room, Coach Štimac grinned.
"Chhetri once told me he was waiting for someone who could carry the weight after him."
He looked at Arjun.
"I think we've found him."
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✦ The Second Half
India controlled the game. Lebanon threatened in patches, but Gurpreet held firm.
In the 76th minute, Arjun was fouled hard. The crowd gasped. He got up — limping but unbroken.
Then came his final play of the night.
A long pass from Jeakson. Arjun controlled it mid-sprint, turned, and flicked a no-look assist to Chhetri.
2–0.
Game sealed.
Arjun was subbed off in the 85th minute to a standing ovation.
Even the opposition clapped.
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✦ After the Match
Reporters swarmed.
"Arjun, rumors are swirling. Hannover? Bundesliga 2?"
He just smiled. "Tonight was blue. Tomorrow… we'll see."
Chhetri walked over, put an arm around him.
"Whatever you do — just remember: don't ever lose the boy who played barefoot in Thrissur."
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✦ Final Scene — Airport Lounge, Next Morning
Arjun sat alone at Gate 7, international terminal, Delhi.
A one-way ticket in hand.
Destination: Germany.
His phone buzzed.
Kalyani had sent a photo of her next film's script. The caption read:
> "You carry India on your back. I just carry a camera."
He smiled. Then replied:
> "We both tell stories. Mine just happens to be with a ball."
The gate agent called boarding.
He stood up, one bag slung over his shoulder.
India behind him.
Europe ahead.
The journey had only begun.
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