Chapter 29: Gradually
The atmosphere at the MPCA Ground in Bhopal was hostile, to say the least.
The match hadn't even started, yet the local crowd had begun with the jeers and heckling, creating an intimidating environment for an U19 zonal game.
Aryan had already started his warm-up with the ball on the outfield. He was accompanied by Vikram (the Wicketkeeper), Kabir, and Yash, who were doing some high-catching drills to get accustomed to the skying ball against the bright Madhya Pradesh sun.
After a while, Coach Kulkarni blew his whistle, calling the players back to the dugout as the match referee had signaled for the toss.
"I know we've already topped the group, but that doesn't mean we should relax. We need to make a statement here before the Nationals. Are you with me!!!" Coach Kulkarni roared.
"Yes, Coach!" the players replied emphatically, the adrenaline masking their travel fatigue.
"Aryan," Coach Kulkarni said, pulling him aside just as he was about to grab his cap.
"I wanted it to wait until we got back to Mumbai, but I guess I should tell you now to fire you up.
The NCA (National Cricket Academy) Head, VVS Laxman, has sent a formal invite. You've been called up for the upcoming India U19 High-Performance Camp," Coach Kulkarni said, beaming.
Aryan had expected as much given the recent buzz, but he was still a bit surprised at how fast it happened. "When will that be, Coach?" Aryan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I think it will be after the 'Vinoo Mankad Trophy' nationals," Coach Kulkarni said.
"Okay, so I won't have to leave in the middle of the campaign," Aryan said, relieved.
"Yes, hopefully they don't bring it forward. Now go out there and show them why you were picked," Coach Kulkarni said. Aryan turned to join the team after the pep talk.
As the Mumbai players entered the field to field first (having lost the toss), the noise from the stands grew louder.
There were a surprising number of spectators for a youth game, likely drawn by the news of Mumbai's unbeaten streak.
The pleasantries and anthems were dealt with. The umpires walked out to the middle.
After a while, the umpire called "Play," and the match was underway.
First Innings: Bhopal U19 Batting
The match had been a grind for the first hour. It had been 15 overs since the match started, and Bhopal U19 was sitting comfortably at 70/1.
Aryan, who was bowling his first spell, realized he was being targeted. It seemed the Bhopal Coach had done his homework.
Ramesh Pawar, the Bhopal U19 Coach, was all smiles in the dressing room balcony as his plan seemed to be working.
He had instructed his batsmen to play Aryan defensively, denying him wickets, and to attack the other bowlers to keep the run rate up.
He had watched clips of Aryan's hat-trick against Gujarat and was inclined to say he was a threat, but a one-dimensional one if managed correctly. Coach Pawar had decided to go with this 'starve the bowler' tactic, and it seemed it had worked so far.
He went to sit down, relaxing for the first time since the start of the match, as Aryan had gone wicketless in his first 4 overs.
Aryan, who couldn't shake off the defensive mindset of the batsmen, decided to change his line. He switched from bowling over the wicket to round the wicket, changing the angle of entry.
This messed up the batsmen's geometry a bit. The ball was now angling in sharply towards the pads or straightening to hit the off-stump.
Aryan, seeing the batsman shuffle across to cover the line, bowled a wide yorker.
The batsman, caught off guard by the change in length, dug it out towards point.
Aryan realized he needed to induce a mistake. He signaled to Kabir at mid-off to come shorter, tempting the drive.
Aryan ran in. He bowled a slower ball, a leg-cutter.
The Bhopal batsman, Amit, saw the flight and eyes lit up. He tried to smash it over mid-off.
Unfortunately for Amit, Aryan had already sensed it and had rolled his fingers over the ball effectively. The ball didn't arrive as fast as expected.
Amit mistimed the shot. The ball went high in the air—not long, but high.
Aryan ran forward, calling "Mine!" He formed a triangle with Kabir and the cover fielder..
Aryan kept his eyes on the ball as it swirled in the Bhopal wind.
He judged it perfectly. He dove forward to take the catch.
The Bhopal players and fans could only watch as the ball landed safely in Aryan's hands—wait, no!
Just as Aryan was about to grab it, he was nudged by the non-striker who was running blindly for a run.
Aryan went off balance, and the ball popped out of his hands and fell on the grass.
"Obstruction! Umpire!"
The umpire shook his head. "Accidental collision," he signaled.
Aryan forcibly stabilized his posture and glared at the batsman. He picked up the ball and threw it to the keeper in frustration.
However, the drop seemed to unlock something in Aryan.
Next ball. Aryan ran in with fury. He bowled a bouncer.
The batsman, shaken by the previous close call, hooked blindly. The ball kissed the glove.
The keeper, Vikram, dove to his right and took a blinder!
Wicket!
Finally, Aryan had broken the partnership. The Bhopal fans went silent as they looked at the Mumbai U19 players celebrating.
Regaining composure, the crowd started to cheer on the new batsman while simultaneously booing Aryan.
Aryan's wicket came in the 18th Over. That wicket, coupled with tight fielding, slowed Bhopal down. They finished their innings on 210/8 in 50 Overs.
Second Innings: Mumbai U19 Batting
Fweeeeeeeeeee (Umpire's whistle/call)
The umpire signaled the start of the chase. The Bhopal players had come out roaring.
They played like their lives were on the line. They attacked with aggressive field placements and hostile bowling.
The Mumbai U19 openers, on the other hand, had dulled after the lunch break.
Bhopal's pacers ripped through the top order. Mumbai was 40/3 in 10 Overs. They could do nothing to retrieve the momentum.
Aryan was the only player whose head was still in the game as the others were probably thinking about the bus ride home and the group topping celebrations.
Coach Kulkarni, seeing the collapse, decided to send a message. He sent the 12th man, Pedro (let's say Pranav), out with drinks and gloves to talk to the batsmen.
"Coach says stabilize the innings. Don't throw it away," Pranav told Aryan and his partner, Suresh.
Aryan nodded. He needed 5 runs to complete his quest (300 runs total). He was currently on 2 runs.
The match dragged on. Mumbai reached 100/4 in 25 Overs.
In the 30th Over, Aryan faced the spinner. He needed 1 run to reach his milestone.
Aryan tapped the ball to long-on for a single.
"Ding."
(To be Continued)