“I’m sorry, bhai,” Akshit whispered. “I didn’t know you were saving it.”

He had stopped posting training videos. The last story on his feed was a picture of his old Pro Kabaddi League trophy, captioned simply: “Wait.” Three weeks ago, his manager had called. “Bengaluru Bulls. They want you. Not as a captain. Not as a lead raider. They want you for… experience.”

The story wasn't about the points anymore. It was about the silence. Just six months prior, Pardeep had been released by the UP Yoddhas after his most lackluster season ever. The stats sheet read 98 raid points in 22 matches. For a man who once scored 369 points in a single season, the numbers were a public autopsy. Analysts on YouTube chopped up his game frame by frame.

Super Raid. 4 points.

He recorded a 15-second video. No filter. Just his tired face, the roar of the distant crowd, and the scoreboard glowing behind him.