I apologize for not being able to update chapters the last 2 days. I had an interview and was busy preparing for it. Now that is done and dusted I am back. Again I apologize for the delay.
The fourth morning at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur began with Hyderabad's camp in high spirits. A lead of 344 from their first innings declaration meant they had the game firmly in their grasp. But cricket has its ways of turning stories upside down, and the dressing room knew there was still a job to be done. Goa's second innings was their last chance to force a miracle, and Hyderabad's bowlers were ready to snuff that chance out.
Aarav Reddy was rested from the new ball this time — senior spearhead Mohammad Siraj and the seasoned Right-arm pacer Ravi kiran took the new cherry. The plan from Coach Arjun was clear: Siraj's pace and movement would rattle the openers early, and Aarav would be brought on as the pressure mount increased.
It didn't take long for Siraj to deliver. In his very first over, he got the ball to jag back sharply off a length, trapping Goa's opener plumb in front for just 2. His roar echoed across the ground, and Hyderabad's cordon clapped in unison. Ravi kept things tight from the other end, forcing the batsmen to play every ball.
Goa's number three came in looking to counterattack, but Siraj was in a destructive rhythm. His second wicket was a peach — a length delivery that seamed away late, taking the edge and flying to the safe hands of Hyderabad's captain at first slip. By the end of his opening spell, Siraj had three wickets, and Goa were reeling at 41/3.
When Aarav was introduced into the attack, the field spread slightly — a mix of attack and containment. The plan was to choke the scoring and force mistakes. His first few overs were met with watchful defence; Goa's middle order seemed determined not to give him an inch. Aarav adjusted, going fuller, making the batsmen drive on a surface that had just enough in it for the seamers.
The breakthrough came in Aarav's seventh over. Bowling from the Southern End, he angled one across the right-hander, just outside off stump. The batsman committed to the drive but misjudged the movement — a thick edge carried low to second slip. The fielder dived forward, snapping it inches above the turf. Aarav raised his arm in quiet celebration, his face betraying the satisfaction of outthinking his man. Goa were now 103/5.
Lunch was approaching, and Hyderabad wanted another before the break. Aarav, sensing the batsman's growing desperation, went for the setup. Two balls on a nagging off-stump line, forcing defence, then a surprise short delivery that hurried on. The batsman, late on the pull, gloved it down leg side where the keeper took a sharp catch. Aarav's second wicket of the innings — and Goa were in deeper trouble at 121/6.
The post-lunch session was Siraj's stage. He returned with fire in his eyes, taking two more wickets in a fiery three-over burst, finishing with a superb five-wicket haul. The crowd, small but vocal, rose to applaud his effort — he had been relentless, bowling with pace and precision from start to finish.
But the moment that drew equal cheers came not from a ball, but from Aarav's fielding. Goa's last recognized batsman, trying to steal a quick single, nudged the ball towards mid-off. Aarav sprinted in, scooped it cleanly, and with one fluid motion, hurled the ball flat at the stumps. The direct hit caught the batsman yards short — the umpire didn't even need to look twice. The Hyderabad players mobbed Aarav, knowing how rare such moments are in a match already under their control.
By tea, Goa were nine down for 250. The tail resisted briefly, adding 13 more before Aarav returned to finish the job. A length delivery angled in towards the off stump, the number eleven's tentative push only managed to loop the ball into the hands of gully. Goa were all out for 263.
The scoreboard told the story plainly — Hyderabad had won by an innings and 81 runs. The players shook hands, smiles all around. Siraj's five for 48 was the standout on paper, but Coach Arjun made sure to single out Aarav's role in the victory — his 3 for 62 in 25 probing overs, the crucial runout, and the pressure he maintained from one end were every bit as decisive as the wickets themselves.
As the team walked off the field, Aarav allowed himself a quiet moment of pride. This was only his debut, yet he had shown he could stand tall among proven match-winners. And deep down, he knew this was just the beginning.