Awwal Number

I am Vikram Singh, better known as Vicky amongst cricket enthusiasts

I am the president of the Indian Cricket Control Board

This third one-day international being played in Bombay...

between India and Australia is of great significance

Chhaganlal, we've betted on silver, gold and cotton prices. How bout...

betting on one of these players? - I am a punter-for-life. I'm game

We lost two one-dayers in Delhi and Calcutta. We've lost the series

The Garwares have announced a gold shield for the team...

winning this last match. And for the man of the match, a Mercedes Benz

Let's bet on the man of the match. - First, let the teams be announced

The Prime Minister will come to watch the match for a while...

On his way to the international summit...

the Prime Minister will drop by to watch the match for a while

There'll be a mad rush for tickets! - All sold out, don't you know?

The blackmarket hasn't closed down

We'll take you to the stadium where a practice match is being played

The team will be selected from amongst these players

What a journey I've had

What do you want? Another sixer?

Look over there!

Out!

I would've hit a sixer, were it not for the look in your eyes, darling

Do you treat your fans this way? - Girls die for Ronnie

And here you are, just eyeballing me. - If I knew champions are like you...

I'd never have come to watch you play. - Go to bed with my kerchief. See...

you tomorrow. Tell me about tonight. - My impression about cricket stars...

is shattered

Not all stars are the same. When I make it, I'll change the way you think

My name is Sunny. No, not the great Sunil Gavaskar. He isn't a star

He was cricket's Moon. I'm nothing in comparison

I'm Aarti Rani, the Queen of hearts. You can call me Aarti, if you like

You're going to become a star!

Sunny is becoming a fantastic player. - He must be included in the team

Boundary! Again!

Was that a joke, or was it serious? - What?

You've got me stumped. - And I'm bowled over

Coming to a party this evening? - I'm booked already

So, what else do you do? - You want it all at one go?

So, when do I see you next? - Tonight

This is a great evening for great stars and thanks to the Garwares

The Indian team will be selected from amongst the players present here

Our cricket stars are being felicitated on behalf of the Garwares, by...

this beautiful, young Aarti

So you're a professional singer. - Singer yes. Not professional

to sing when I'm invited, particularly for our cricke

when they are being felicitated where I work

You work in this hotel? - Yes. In the dress department

Any comments on Sunny's performance? - Nice kid. Some good shots too

Not textbook shots. And... forget it. - Go on, say it. Please

The bowling was appalling. Anyone in Sunny's place could've hit sixers

A cartoon on such a pretty hand? - Sunny's autograph

I don't sign palms, dear. Get a silk scarf, or an autograph book

Five years ago, you scored your first century in your first test...

and I've wanted your autograph ever since. Will you give me my wish?

Why not? You played well. - Inspired by you, Mr Ronnie

That's how you scored the century?

Getting to the top is tough. It took me five years to reach the top

Anyone else would've taken ten years

May I have a photo with you please?

But I'm your fan! - Not now, later

Someone's eyes are inviting me to the dance floor

Did you have hurt her? She's your fan after all, not some beggar

Everyone knows Ronnie is temperamental. - But I thought Ronnie is different

Champions are made like this, darling. - Champion, you were. What did you...

score in the last one-day match? Zero. - So what?

In both matches, big zeros. - Watch me in this third

I'll give up cricket, if I don't take you round on the victory lap...

in that benz for the man-of-the-match. - Is that a challenge?

That's, if you have the guts to accept. - Very well

I'll give you the dance after you've won the benz

For the third match, the selection committee must decide...

whom to include in the team, between Sunny and Ronnie

We lost the first two matches, so we lost the series. And the cup

If we win this match and the Garware shield...

we might yet recover some lost glory

Throw that pompous Ronnie out, no matter his stature!

He thinks he's bigger than Sunil Gavaskar and Don Bradman!

Teach him a lesson. Throw him out! And induct that new boy, Sunny

Ronnie must quit. He isn't in form at all

He was out on the first ball! - Then he tries to hit the sixer...

off the wrong ball right into the fielder's hands at the boundary

He hit that ball because some girl was cheering, "Ronnie darling, sixer"

And he swings into action! - Granted, that his performance...

in the last two matches wasn't good. But he has a fan-following, a craze

His past can't be ignored. He has scored so many centuries...

he has broken so many records. - He might score a century again!

Forget centuries. He's so arrogant, always picking fights with the umpires

Every successful man has an ego. - In the field, he uses foul language

Occasionally. It just happened. - In Calcutta he spat at the umpire

On his way out, he said, "I'll see you outside the stadium, joker"

He's spoiling the atmosphere

You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Ronnie is Ronnie!

No one can take his place. He must be in the team

No one is indispensable. For one successful man...

there are ten others waiting in queue! - Like Sunny. Take Sunny!

Ronnie has it in him. Give him one more chance!

What do you say, Captain? - I'm neutral

For me, one good man is as good as another

2 votes for Ronnie. 2 votes for Sunny. And the Captain is out of reckoning

Had the 5th member of the selection committee been present...

a decision could've been arrived at. But here's his letter...

in which he says, he's casting in favour of the majority

And the casting vote is yours. - In your hands, Mr President...

lies the future of this third match. You decide

Ronnie, time for your practice!

Ronnie, kiss Mummy before you leave

I have always favoured change. Change for the better

I always pinned my faith in new blood. If they aren't given the chance...

where will we find tomorrow's winners, tomorrow's leaders, heroes, stars?

Ronnie, cricket's superstar, is my brother

But after hearing your arguments, I vote for the new player. Sunny

He must get a break

Dad...

Dad, I just got news. I have been included in the Indian team

Go, pay homage to God!

If you want autographs, wait

Has Ronnie come to know?

Anything new? - You tell us

The third match is next week. - The team might be announced tomorrow

Pack the team with non-players, and it'd make no difference

I'm no Ronnie unless I steamroll the opposition

Arrogant. Proud. Conceited. - Thus I am the superstar

Vain. Over-confident. Hot-air balloon. - Saw how I was mobbed?

Because I'm Ronnie

Cricket is, because Ronnie is, and Ronnie is a hitter!

And the world enjoys! - You have been removed

What kind of a joke is this? - You better hear it now

Prepare yourself for tomorrow's news. - You'll be less shocked...

when your brother tells it to you tonight

You threw me out of the team!

The selection committee. - The casting vote was yours!

That's what I'm telling you. I'm part of the selection committee

You're my brother! And you do this? - I'm the board president too

Letting that boy Sunny take my brother's place was my duty

How could you give away Ronnie's place to that upstart amateur?

Behind every great player, there's a greater player!

No one can challenge Ronnie No one ever will!

Every great is a product of his times. - I'm feted everywhere I go...

be it my own country, or be it Australia, England, West Indies

In my times, it happened to me too. Be it here...

or in England, Australia, West Indies. - In five years of my career...

I have made more runs than anyone ever! - And in the sixth year, you lose...

your middle stump to the first ball? - It happens to everyone

It's happening to you because you've lost your head

The glamour has gone to your head. You can't even imagine...

that someone might be better than you. Your fan-following has made you...

so arrogant, that you imagine that no matter what you say or do...

you'll always be cheered. - Tomorrow, when they get to know...

that a great player like Ronnie has been denied his place in the team...

they're going to spit at you and your committee

Greats are those who have mastered the sport...

and alongside, display what is known as the sporting spirit too

They will force you to bring Ronnie back

You will have to take back your decision

And that infantisimile Sunny will return to his mother's lap

You have lost the sense of decorum too, Ronnie

A gift from your friends, Sunny

A scarf. - And a cap

Great Cricketers of the World. - I want your autograph on this ball

A champagne from the bartender

And this is from me

Open it, take a look

I stitched it myself. - You will have to help me into it

Send a large whisky over

Introduce us! - Call him over

A pencil and paper, please

Tell him that Ronnie tore up his note

I sent you a note. Maybe you didn't like it. I should've come personally...

to invite you. Please join us. All my friends are your die-hard fans

They want to meet you. - They should've come here

You have no respect for elders? - I'm sorry if you feel insulted

I'll bring them over. - No

Do you presume to conclude that I'm in the mood to meet them?

Now you're part of the cricket eleven

You should learn some manners

If you've finished talking, come upstairs, Sunny

You've just begun your dalliances. Don't show off your girls

May I tell you that you should learn manners? You've no sporting spirit!

You are scum

Get out of my sight before I throw you out, you cheap whore!

How dare you call her that? - Who else would go around with you?

Were you not Ronnie, I would've hit you. - You've just walked into the team

And you think you're tops already, son?

Yes, he's top

Here's my challenge! After this match, Sunny will come out number one!

Go, wash your mouth

You take my challenge. I'm no Sunny unless I prove Aarti's every word right

Drop it, Sunny

Wait. Not boxing. To become number one in cricket, you need hitting

Let him be, Ronnie

I reckon that's the punch Ronnie packs in his sixers!

Enough, Sunny

Not enough

One sixer doesn't make a century, son. You have to go on hitting

I'm very sorry, all this happened because of me

You should see whom to let in, and whom not to

He can spend the rest of his life on the pitch...

but he won't even be able to spell Ronnie right

Wipe the blood off your lips

Who are you? - Maria