The early February sun hung low over Delhi, its golden rays spilling across the neighbourhood ground where Ajay was once again the first to arrive. He stood near the practice nets, cricket bag at his feet, watching a thin veil of fog lift off the pitch.
The match against Vikram and Danish was still fresh in his mind. It hadn't been about brute force—it had been about control, timing, and mental clarity. Those lessons stuck with him like glue. But today wasn't about reminiscing. Today was about chasing the next milestone.
A Different Energy
As Ajay went through his stretches, he felt something different in his body—like a coil wound tighter, ready to spring. His muscles didn't ache like they used to after long sessions. The soreness that had once been his daily companion had lessened.
The system's faint hum in his head was becoming familiar, almost like a quiet breathing in the background. The Batting progress bar had been inching toward completion, and Ajay knew that with the right focus, today could be the day he crossed into Level 3.
The Coach's New Drill
Coach Sharma arrived with a new plan. "Today we're going to test your range. Not just cover drives and cuts—you'll play every shot in the book. On command."
Ajay grinned. This was exactly the kind of focused, repetitive work the system loved.
"Start with the on-drive," Coach said. The bowler ran in, and Ajay stepped forward, closing the face of the bat, sending the ball racing past mid-on.
"Now, square cut!" The next ball was wide, and Ajay cracked it behind point.
"Pull shot!" A short one came, and Ajay rolled his wrists, placing it between deep square and fine leg.
The commands kept coming—flicks, sweeps, lofted drives, reverse sweeps, even the delicate late cut.
The Surge
Somewhere around the 200th ball of the session, it happened.
A sharp chime rang in Ajay's mind, clearer than before. The Batting bar flashed gold, filled to the brim, and then dissolved into light. A new bar appeared—longer, with "Level 3" glowing at its top.
Batting – Level Up! Power increased. Shot execution speed increased.
Ajay gripped his bat tighter, feeling an almost electric connection between his hands and the willow. When the next ball came, he drove it on the up, and the crack of bat on ball made even Coach raise his eyebrows. The ball seemed to fly faster, travel further, and pierce the gap more cleanly.
Testing the New Edge
Coach Sharma tossed a ball himself, underarm but fast. Ajay stepped into a cover drive—the timing perfect, the follow-through clean. The ball rocketed to the fence before anyone in the nets could react.
"That sounded different," Coach said, eyes narrowing with interest. "And you barely swung harder."
Ajay shrugged with a modest smile, but inside, he knew it wasn't just a good day—it was the system's upgrade.
Word Spreads
Later in the session, a few senior players joined in. Ajay was rotated into a match-simulation drill where fielders were spread and scoring zones were marked. He went through the overs with ruthless efficiency—finding gaps, rotating strike, punishing anything loose.
One of the seniors, Ravi, muttered to another, "He's batting like he's already in the district team."
The words reached Ajay's ears, and though he kept his expression neutral, his chest felt lighter. It wasn't arrogance—it was validation.
A Conversation with the Coach
As practice wound down, Coach Sharma called him aside.
"You've been working hard. I can see the results. There's more power in your shots now. The ball's coming off the bat like it should for a player in form."
Ajay nodded. "I've been focusing on precision. Every ball is a chance to learn."
The coach studied him for a moment. "If you keep this up, I'll put your name forward for the district selection trials. But remember, selectors look at the whole package—batting, fielding, fitness, attitude."
Ajay's jaw tightened. "I won't give them a reason to doubt any of those."
Evening Reflection
At home, Ajay lay on his bed, the ceiling fan whirring overhead. He opened the system panel in his mind:
Batting – Level 3 – 0/10,000Bowling – 29/100Fielding – 22/100Fitness – 23/100
Level 3 meant the grind ahead would be longer. Ten thousand repetitions or perfect executions to get to Level 4. But the thought didn't discourage him—it excited him.
Flash of the Future
A memory from his first life surfaced—how, at this very point in his career, he had been lazy, overconfident, and dismissive of fielding practice. That had cost him dearly. This time, things would be different.
He pictured himself walking into the Ranji dressing room, wearing the team blazer, knowing he had earned it. He pictured lifting the bat to acknowledge a roaring crowd in a packed stadium. Those visions weren't dreams anymore—they were milestones waiting to be reached.
The Next Day's Resolve
Before sleep took him, Ajay whispered to himself, "Level 3 is just the start. Level 5 is where legends are made."
He knew the next weeks would be harder, the grind steeper. But he also knew that with each ball, each drill, each bead of sweat, he was rewriting his story—one that would not end in disappointment and a failing heart, but in victory, legacy, and perhaps, a World Cup medal.