Knockout matches changed the atmosphere.
There were no second chances now.
At Cross Maidan, the boundary ropes had been pulled tighter, the pitch rolled longer, and the crowd—though still modest—watched with intent rather than curiosity.
People weren't here to enjoy cricket.
They were here to judge it.
---
## 🏏 INTER-ACADEMY TOURNAMENT – QUARTERFINAL
**Match:** Shivaji Park Academy vs Bandra Cricket Club
**Format:** 30 Overs
**Venue:** Cross Maidan, Mumbai
Bandra Cricket Club arrived with confidence.
Older boys.
Stronger builds.
One fast bowler who warmed up aggressively, pounding the run-up as if the ground owed him money.
Aarav noticed everything.
---
## 🧾 TOSS
Shivaji Park Academy won the toss and chose to bat.
Coach Kulkarni's logic was simple.
"Put pressure on the board," he said.
"Let them chase thought."
Aarav opened again.
---
## 🏏 SHIVAJI PARK ACADEMY – BATTING
### Opening Overs: Immediate Intent
**Over 1 – Right-arm fast (Bandra)**
The ball whistled past Aarav's bat at shoulder height.
No fear.
- 1.3: Short again
Aarav rolled his wrists and pulled it fine.
**FOUR.**
The bowler glared.
---
**Over 2 – Right-arm medium**
- 2.2: Overpitched
Aarav drove straight, bat face perfectly aligned.
**FOUR.**
No flourish.
Just authority.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM RESPONSE
---
### 🧠 KL RAHUL TEMPLATE – FAST BOWLING CALIBRATION
- Short Ball Control: +12%
- Pull Shot Risk Reduction
- Upper-Body Balance Enhanced
---
Aarav felt it immediately.
The ball seemed slower.
The gaps wider.
---
### Early Momentum
**Over 4 – Fast bowler returns**
- Bouncer
Aarav swayed away.
Message sent.
- Next ball: Full
Driven crisply through cover.
**FOUR.**
The bowler shortened his run-up.
---
### Score at 6 Overs:
**Shivaji Park: 44/0**
- Aarav: **31 (21 balls)**
The Bandra captain turned toward the boundary.
Two men stood there.
One with a notebook.
One with a cap pulled low.
Selectors.
---
## 🕰️ MID-INNINGS CONTROL
Bandra tried spin early.
**Over 7 – Leg-spin**
Flighted delivery.
Aarav stepped forward, smothered it, and tapped for a single.
No rush.
---
**Over 9 – Leg-spin**
- Slightly short
Cut behind point.
**FOUR.**
The field spread.
---
### Partnership Stability
Aarav constantly spoke to his partner.
"Wait for it."
"Don't force."
The younger boys listened.
---
### Score at 12 Overs:
**Shivaji Park: 86/0**
- Aarav: **52 (38 balls)**
Half-century.
No celebration.
He checked the field instead.
---
## ⚡ SHIFT TO DOMINANCE
**Over 14 – Right-arm medium**
- Slower ball
Picked early.
Aarav held his shape and placed it over extra cover.
**FOUR.**
---
**Over 15 – Leg-spin**
- Step-out
- Lofted straight
**SIX.**
The cleanest hit of the tournament so far.
The notebook on the boundary moved faster.
---
## 🧾 DISMISSAL
**Over 18 – Fast bowler**
They tried intimidation again.
Bouncer.
Aarav attempted the pull, mistimed slightly.
*c deep square leg b right-arm fast*
---
### Aarav Malhotra:
**74 runs (49 balls)**
- 11 fours
- 1 six
- Strike Rate: **151.02**
He walked off calmly.
Job done.
---
## 🏏 SHIVAJI PARK ACADEMY – TOTAL
**212/5 (30 overs)**
A commanding total.
---
## 🏏 BANDRA CRICKET CLUB – CHASE
They came hard early.
Two boundaries in the first over.
Coach Kulkarni didn't panic.
He looked at Aarav.
"Ready?"
Aarav nodded.
---
## 🏏 AARAV'S BOWLING SPELL
**Over 5 – Aarav to bowl**
- Tight off-stump line
- 5.3: Forced drive
Outside edge.
*c slip b Aarav*
---
**Over 7 – Aarav**
- Slower delivery
- Batter early into the shot
*c long-on b Aarav*
Two overs.
Two wickets.
---
### Figures:
**3–0–14–2**
The chase slowed immediately.
---
## 🧾 FIELDING TURNING POINT
**Over 12**
Sharp single attempted.
Aarav moved in from cover.
One motion.
Direct hit.
Run-out.
The Bandra dressing room deflated.
---
## 🧾 RESULT
**Shivaji Park Academy won by 61 runs**
---
## 🧠 AFTERMATCH MOMENT
As Aarav collected his kit, a man approached Coach Kulkarni.
"District trials are next month," the man said quietly.
Kulkarni nodded.
"I know."
The man glanced at Aarav again.
"Make sure he's there."
Aarav didn't react.
But inside, something clicked into place.
---
## 🏠 NIGHT AT HOME
His father sat with a ledger open.
"You're improving fast," Raghav said.
"But remember—talent attracts attention. Attention attracts tests."
Aarav met his eyes.
"I'm ready for both."
Outside, Mumbai hummed into the night.
Inside, a ten-year-old boy planned years ahead.
The academy phase was ending.
And the next gate was already visible.
--chapter 5 end--