Chapter 13: Trial Day [3]
The next morning, when Raghav arrived at the grounds, he found a much smaller group, which was more focused.
Everyone one has come today and as today is Sunday and we don't have school, so yesterday coach tell us to come morning sharp o clock at the school ground for final team Selection.
Today everyone looks different as the informal conversations of the former day had disappeared and in their place was an air of tension and competition.
Finally coach came to the field and wasted no time.
"Yesterday was all about basics and today I am applying it practice, that is what I said.
His voice was as sharp as ever.
"We start with fielding.... I want to see your reaction speed and timeing also I would like to see you attack the ball and is there anybody who is scared of a hard ball then you can go home now. "
Nobody said anything and like that Coach evaluation on us started.
One by one all player around the field stand in there fielding potistion and a senior player will do the batting and the bowler will ball only fulltoss ball so the batsman can hit boundary easily and the fielder have to catch it.
Game start >
Many boys catch the ball some even done stund to catch the ball.
Then a ball came one of the boys he struck a high catch which he had in a completely wrong judgment.
"Sloppy!" Mr. Sharma comment on his fielding.
Next ball the batsman tried a cover drive strike and the fielder who their saw the ball and then he threw himself to a ground to catch the ball but he couldn't not and fall to the ground.
"Lazy!" Coach comment on this guys performance.
The drills went relentless for one hour and Raghav, who had a poor fielding stat at 8 indicating that he had poor technique in fielding.
He was not an instinctive catcher, and his throwing arm was more of noodle than of cannon.
But there was at least one strength with him, his stamina so he didn't feel tired by his carzy work out.
As other boys began to grow weary, their stride becoming slow under the constant exercise and the heat of the sun Raghav continued.
Then next second the batsman strike a straight shot that blow against the distance between him and one of the fielders. Its objective was towards a specific boundary.
But Raghav, with his stamina run back all the way to the position where the ball landing potistion.
He threw himself off, a plunging, hopeless, and unskilled leap, which was of heart more than skill, and just cleared his fingers off the ball, preventing it from falling outside of the boundary line.
But he couldn't prevent it from happening as he fall down of boundary and the ball went out of the boundary line.
He got himself up, with his elbow scraped and bleeding, but he picked up ball and threw the ball back weakly to the bowler crease.
He went embarrassely towards the coach side where he can put some bandage on his wound.
"Good effort, Roi!" Mr. Sharma called out and give him an advice. " Next time, you should use your body to catch the ball, we should do all so we can catch the ball and create a wicket for the team "
This was the first time that the coach had called him by his name, and it gave Raghav a shock of pride.
Even the little compliment was a strong incentive.
Then after his bandage he went back to the ground with full confidence.
He threw himself with each ball which soon covered him with dirt and grass stains on his uniform.
He was not the most skilled fielder, but he was no doubt one of the hardest working player on the team.
Finally the training exercise stop and we get to take rest for 20 minutes.
All the boys fall to the ground to grasp there breath.
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25 minutes Later.
Mr. Sharma took the thirty boys remaining after the hard fielding exercise.
"Now this will be your final test " said he, and pointed his bat into the pitch in the middle of the ground.
"Now we are to have a match of twenty overs each side. Team A, headed by...you will know after I selected from the list and Team B, headed by there team captain Anil Kumar. "
Next moment he bring the clipboard forth to his stare and he started reading out the names and who will be in whose team .
" Rajiv Team B"
" Rakesh Team A"
" Suraj Team B"
" Vikram Team A"
He continues to called each person names and the most awaited moment came.
" Raghav Team A"
Raghav had landed up on the side of Team A and his batting would be at number 6 position.
The arrogant senior, Gourav, scoffed on hearing the name of Raghav in his team .
Then Gourav step forward from the line, went front and asked coach.
"Sir, are you sure that this junior need to play, he should be a ball boy position and learn from us by watching from the stand "
Mr. Sharma's eyes narrowed,when someone questioned his decision but he didn't show anger as coach expressions was calm.
" You don't have to worry, student Gourav..that my decision if he should play or be a ball boy" Mr sharma answers clamly .
But Gourav was not satisfied with coach answer so he question by giving a logic.
" But..Coach , yesterday he didn't even scored a single run in net practicing and with his poor performance we are sure to lose "
When Gourav said this, many students who was not effected by Raghav begin in there team but now with this a doubt and fear of by holdback by someone show on there face.
Coach raised his brow by this Manipulative question but Coach stand firm to his decision and he said.
" Don't worry , I will judge everyone individually...so even you lost this match it will not have any impact on your performance"
" So focus on yourself during this match...All of you understood"
Coach answer clear everyone doubts and shut Gourav mouth also.
Everyone respond to coach together.
" Yes Coach"
Coach nodded to there response and next he scan everyone and look at Vikram.
He called Vikram forward and Vikram also went forward , then he said.
"Vikram,you will be captain of Team A for this match."
Vikram was surprised by this revalation he thought that some other than him would be captain.
Coach was waiting for his answer the reply didn't came, so he asked again.
" Have you understood? Vikram"
"Ahh..Yes..I will take the responsibility of the captain" Vikram snap out of his thoughts and answer hurriedly.
Coach Sarma nod to his response, and he placed his hand on the Vikram Shoulder, give him a light pad.
" Good..I like the sprit , now go to your team and prepare your strategy"
"Yes, sir, "mumbled Vikram, and walked off to get his fielders in order.
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(To be continued)