The academy ground was buzzing with anticipation. After a string of 20-over simulations, the coaches had decided to test the squads in a full 50-over match—a deeper, more demanding format that revealed not just skill, but stamina, strategy, and leadership under pressure.
The match was an intra-camp clash: Team Red Group A vs. Team Red Group B
Two squads. One camp. Two captains. Two philosophies.
Clash of Commanders
Mayank Rawat, leading Group A, was methodical and composed. He believed in structure, discipline, and quiet control.
Divakar Singh, leading Group B, was instinctive and fiery. He thrived on momentum, emotion, and bold decisions.
They were opposites.
And today, they were adversaries.
First Innings – Divakar's Blaze
Group B won the toss and chose to bat.
From the first over, Divakar set the tone—aggressive strokeplay, fast running, and relentless pressure. He scored a blistering 112 off 89 balls, punishing anything short or wide.
The bowlers of Group A—led by Mayank—were beaten black and blue. But they didn't collapse. They kept rotating options, trying variations, and eventually chipped away.
Despite the onslaught, Group A managed to take 9 wickets.
But the damage was done.
Group B posted 358/9 in 50 overs.
Alongside Divakar, the middle-order batter Rohit Dhamija contributed a crucial 78 off 65, and the lower-order slog from Karan Bhagat added 42 off 28.
Second Innings – The Chase Begins
Group A's openers walked out with intent.
Raghav Mehta played a fluent knock of 64 off 52, piercing gaps with elegance.
Siddharth Rao anchored the early overs with 58 off 71, rotating strike and absorbing pressure.
Together, they stitched a 120-run opening stand in just 18 overs.
But then came the twist.
Vivek's Spell
Vivek Agnihotri, the silent vice-captain of Group B, was handed the ball in the 19th over.
Left-arm seam. Seam upright. Rhythm like poetry.
He bowled with control and swing, dismantling the middle order with a spell of 4 wickets for 38 runs in 9 overs.
His deliveries weren't loud. They whispered destruction.
Alongside him, Ankit Bansal, a tall off-spinner with deceptive flight, tightened the screws—2 wickets for 41 in 10 overs, including a sharp caught-and-bowled.
By the 25th over, Group A was 198/6.
Nikhil's Stand
Nikhil walked in at number seven.
He didn't panic. He didn't chase.
He slowed the game down, took calculated risks, and punished only the bad balls. His footwork was measured, his strike rotation precise.
He reached his half-century in 73 balls, anchoring the innings while wickets fell around him.
But the other end kept toppling.
Dot balls mounted. Partnerships broke.
Group A finished at 308/9 in 50 overs.
They had lost by 50 runs.
Post-Match Reflection
There was no mentor debrief. Just silent ratings and quiet nods.
Mayank patted Nikhil's back. "You gave us a chance."
Divakar, still flushed from his century, walked past and offered a grin. "Next time, chase me down."
Vivek didn't say much. He just packed his kit and walked to the pitch, studying the surface again.
Nikhil's Log
Week 10 – 50-Over Simulation Match: Red A vs Red B Result: Lost by 50 runs Role: Lower-order anchor Batting: 51 off 73 balls Lesson: Anchoring works—but only if the other end holds. Fix: Build middle-order partnerships under scoreboard pressure. Reminder: Even in loss, rhythm matters.