The next game was a big one.
A crunch encounter against the mighty Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. The atmosphere was electric—every seat filled, every camera rolling. It wasn't just another group-stage game; this was a tone-setter for the second half of the season.
Aarav wasn't in the playing XI. As expected. He was still a net bowler—part of the squad in the shadows, travelling, practicing, learning. He had earned quiet respect but not yet a debut.
Then, in the 9th over of the first innings, things changed.
Ishant Sharma, midway through his second over, pulled up sharply, clutching his side.
The physio came sprinting in. The dugout held its breath.
After a brief consultation, a call was made. Ishant would not take the field again today. A side strain, maybe worse. He trudged off slowly, frustration visible.
And in his place, Aarav was called on—not to bowl—but to field.
"Warm up. You're going in," the assistant coach said, tossing him the Rising Pune Supergiants cap.
Aarav's heart raced. This wasn't just a placeholder moment. It was a test.
He sprinted onto the field, the Wankhede crowd a roaring wall of sound around him.
He didn't try to be flashy. No diving heroics in the first five minutes. But what he did bring was energy—buzzing from position to position, throwing himself at stops, backing up throws, and cheering every dot ball.
In the 14th over, he flung himself full-length at deep cover to stop a certain boundary, turning it into a single. The crowd groaned. The commentators took notice.
"That young man's making a real difference out there," said one on-air. "Who is he? Not in the playing XI—must be one of the net bowlers. But he's lifting the team."
He communicated with the bowlers, relayed messages, called out field angles. When a senior fielder dropped a catch, Aarav clapped him on the back and kept spirits up.
By the time the innings ended, he had fielded nearly 12 overs, and the coaching staff had taken notice.
In the dressing room, the fielding coach clapped him on the back.
"Well done, Reddy. That's what we call making a substitute matter."
They won the game in a nail biter by a margin of just 5 runs and then the TV replay started showing his fielding heroics and how his fielding just saved match for the team and people started praising him.
After the game, as the team reviewed footage, coach paused on a frame showing Aarav diving to cut off a boundary.
"He plays like he's already in the XI," the coach muttered.
The next day brought unexpected news.
Ishant Sharma was ruled out for the next game. Minor tear. No bowling for at least a week.
Aarav expected the team to bring in another experienced pacer from the reserves.
Instead, Coach called him over after nets.
"I saw your prep. I saw your energy. I saw your notes on MI's middle order. You're not just bowling in the nets. You're preparing to perform."
Aarav straightened.
"We're backing you," the coach said. "You're in the squad for the next game. You won't just field."
A pause.
"You'll bowl."
Aarav nodded once, not trusting himself to speak.
No flash. No headline.
But he was ready to earn his place—not as a substitute.
As a player.