Trophies brought applause.
But what followed after—
was silence.
The kind of silence where people stopped clapping
and started watching.
For Aarav Malhotra, the U-14 final didn't end his season.
It began his scrutiny.
---
## 🏆 AFTERMATH OF THE FINAL
Azad Maidan slowly emptied.
Parents took photos.
Coaches exchanged numbers.
Players laughed, cried, argued.
Aarav did none of it.
He sat on the steps near the pavilion, kit beside him, bat resting across his knees.
He wasn't tired.
He was alert.
Because he could feel it.
---
## 👀 THE WATCHERS
Two men stood near the boundary rope.
Not parents.
Not local coaches.
Both wore simple tracksuits.
No association logos.
But their eyes never left Aarav.
---
### Mumbai Cricket Association – Talent Scouts
- **Coach Anil Deshpande** (Junior Pathway Head)
- **Coach Sanjay Kulkarni** (Bowling Development)
They weren't impressed by hundreds.
They were impressed by control.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM PERCEPTION
---
### 🧠 AWARENESS MODULE
➡️ External Evaluation Detected
➡️ Selection Probability Increased
---
Aarav didn't look at them.
But he knew.
---
## 🏠 HOME THAT EVENING
The Malhotra household was unusually quiet.
Dinner was served.
Plates filled.
But conversation came late.
---
### Father Speaks
"You bowled six overs today," Rohit said casually.
"Never lost pace."
Aarav nodded.
"You also didn't celebrate," his mother added softly.
Aarav paused.
"Because this isn't the end," he said.
Rohit looked at him for a long moment.
Then smiled.
---
## 📞 THE CALL – TWO DAYS LATER
It came in the afternoon.
A landline call.
Rohit answered.
His posture changed immediately.
"Yes… yes… understood… thank you, sir."
He hung up slowly.
Aarav looked up from his notebook.
---
### "Mumbai U-16 Probables Camp," Rohit said.
No excitement.
No shouting.
Just truth.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM UPDATE
---
### 🧠 NEXT ARC CONFIRMED
**Pathway:** Mumbai U-16
**Evaluation Camp Duration:** 14 Days
**Unlock Condition:** Competitive Bowling Dominance
**Next Template:**
🔒 **Dale Steyn – Fast Bowling Aggression**
---
Aarav closed his notebook.
Inside, something sharpened.
---
## 🏟️ U-16 PROBABLES CAMP – DAY 1
**Venue:** MCA Indoor Nets, Bandra-Kurla Complex
This was different.
No boys here.
Everyone was built stronger.
Faster.
Sharper.
This was where talent stopped being cute.
---
## 🧾 CAMP STRUCTURE
- Morning fitness & sprints
- Technical nets (bat & ball)
- Afternoon scenario matches
- Evening review sessions
No room to hide.
---
## 🏏 NET SESSION – FIRST IMPRESSION
Aarav was placed in **Group C**.
Strong group.
Fast bowlers.
Aggressive batters.
---
### Bowling Net – Aarav's Turn
The coach watched silently.
---
### First Over:
- Good length
- No swing
- Tight channel
The batter defended comfortably.
---
### Second Over:
Aarav adjusted.
Slightly fuller.
Sharper wrist.
The ball jagged in.
Inside edge.
Hit pad.
The batter stepped back.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM PROMPT
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE – PREVIEW MODE
➡️ Aggression Path Identified
➡️ Wrist Position Adjustment Suggested
---
Aarav didn't force speed.
He forced precision.
---
## 🏏 BATTING IN THE NETS
Facing faster bowlers now.
90–95 kmph.
Steeper bounce.
Aarav stayed compact.
---
### Shot Selection:
- Straight drives only
- Late cuts when offered
- No cross-batted risks
The coaches took notes.
---
## 👥 PEERS BEGIN TO NOTICE
Whispers started.
"Who's that?"
"He captained U-14, right?"
"Bowls too?"
No envy yet.
Just awareness.
---
## 🧠 INTERNAL REFLECTION
This camp wasn't about standing out.
It was about **not failing**.
And Aarav didn't.
---
## 📋 DAY-END REVIEW
Coach Anil Deshpande spoke to the group.
"Talent is common here," he said.
"Discipline isn't."
His eyes stopped briefly on Aarav.
"Some of you already understand that."
---
## 🌙 NIGHT – SYSTEM MESSAGE
As Aarav lay on his bed in the dormitory, the familiar interface appeared.
---
### 🧠 SYSTEM NOTICE
**Transition Phase Active**
U-14 Arc: ✔ Completed
U-16 Entry: 🔄 In Progress
**Warning:**
➡️ Physical gap narrowing
➡️ Bowling evolution mandatory
**Next Objective:**
Dominate U-16 camp match
→ Unlock **Steyn Template**
---
Aarav closed his eyes.
The game was changing.
The margin for error was shrinking.
And for the first time—
Talent alone would not be enough.
--chapter 16 end--