After five weeks of relentless drills, simulations, and eliminations, the camp finally paused.
No 5:00 AM alarms. No floodlit fielding drills. No tactical chalkboards.
Just silence.
And for the first time in over a month, it felt like heaven.
First Break
The players woke up late. Some wandered to the mess hall in slippers, others lounged in the dorms with music and snacks. Even the coaches kept their distance, letting the camp breathe.
Nikhil sat by the window in Room 101, sipping warm tea, watching the fog roll off the turf. His legs still ached from Week Nine's simulations, but his mind felt light.
He opened his notebook—not to log drills, but to sketch.
"Break Day – Mid November Reminder: Rest is earned. Recovery is part of rhythm."
The IPL 2018 Auction
It was mid-November, and the buzz wasn't just about rest.
Today was the IPL 2018 Auction.
The common room was packed. Players huddled around the TV, eyes glued to the screen. Names flashed. Bids flew. Franchises raised paddles. Commentators speculated.
Among the camp members, two names stood out:
Divakar Singh
Mayank Rawat
Both had applied for the auction, backed by strong performances in the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy.
And both were picked.
Divakar was signed by a mid-table franchise looking for a bold middle-order batter. Mayank, a left-arm pacer with swing and grit, was picked by a team known for grooming young bowlers.
The room erupted when their names were called.
Divakar grinned, trying to stay composed, but his eyes betrayed the thrill.
Mayank punched the air, then sat down, stunned.
Raina clapped from the back. "Pressure games. High platforms. You earned it."
Kaif, watching from the doorway, added, "Now the real spotlight begins."
The Next Phase: Fast game Simulations
The break lasted only a day.
By evening, the coaches posted the next three-week schedule.
Six matches.
Two camps. Four squads.
Vijay Hazare Camp → Team Red
Group A
Group B
Syed Ali Trophy Camp → Team Green
Group A
Group B
Each group would play three matches against its counterpart. The goal: simulate tournament pressure, test combinations, and finalize shortlists.
Nikhil was placed in Team Red – Group A.
His squad included a mix of consistent performers and two new additions from the Syed Ali camp.
The matches would begin in two days.
That Night
Back in Room 101, Nikhil updated his notebook:
"Phase 2 – Role: All-rounder, vice-captain Goal: Build match impact. Support squad cohesion. Reminder: The break is over. The climb resumes."
The next match was waiting for him.