If Under-19 cricket was school…
Ranji Trophy was university.
No uniforms.
No patience.
And absolutely no mercy for prodigies.
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## 🏟️ MUMBAI RANJI CAMP – PRE-SEASON
**Location:** Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy
**Season:** 2007–08
**Aarav's Age:** 19
---
Aarav stood at the entrance of the dressing room, kit bag slung over his shoulder.
Inside—
Men.
Actual men.
Beards.
Forearms like tree trunks.
Eyes that had seen selectors come and go.
Someone was taping fingers with the seriousness of a surgeon.
Someone else was shadow-batting like the world owed him runs.
Aarav took one step in.
The room went… quiet.
Not dramatic.
Just enough.
A senior player glanced up.
Another nodded.
One raised an eyebrow as if to say,
*So this is the kid.*
Aarav smiled politely.
No one smiled back.
He whispered to himself,
"Okay. Tough crowd."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM INTERFACE – RANJI MODE UNLOCKED
---
**Difficulty:** 🔴🔴🔴🔴
**Opposition Quality:** Senior International-Level
**Error Margin:** Minimal
**Active Templates:**
✔ KL – Technique & Composure
✔ AB – Shot Innovation
✔ Steyn – Pace & Aggression
**Reminder:**
Talent earns entry.
Survival earns respect.
---
## 🧓 FIRST INTERACTION
A deep voice came from behind.
"You the U-19 captain?"
Aarav turned.
Tall.
Broad.
Thick moustache.
Mumbai senior pacer.
"Y-Yes, sir."
The man grunted.
"Good."
Pause.
"Don't expect any freebies."
Then he walked away.
Aarav blinked.
"…I wasn't planning to ask?"
---
## 🏏 NET SESSION – REALITY CHECK
The nets began.
Aarav padded up.
First bowler.
Right-arm fast.
Late twenties.
New ball.
The first delivery—
*WHACK.*
Short.
Fast.
Chest height.
Aarav barely swayed back.
"Welcome," the bowler muttered.
Next ball.
Full.
Seaming in.
Aarav leaned forward.
*CRACK.*
Perfect straight drive.
The sound echoed.
The bowler stopped.
Turned.
Smiled faintly.
"Okay," he said. "You can bat."
From the slips, someone laughed.
---
## 📊 NET SCORECARD (UNOFFICIAL)
**Aarav Malhotra – Nets Session 1**
- Balls Faced: 78
- Edges: 0
- Bowled Attempts: 2 (missed)
- Straight Drives: Too many to count
One senior batsman whispered,
"He doesn't panic."
Another replied,
"He hasn't been hit yet."
---
## 🎭 FUNNY MOMENT – THE HELMET INCIDENT
During a break, Aarav reached for his helmet.
Except—
It wasn't his.
It was massive.
He put it on.
It dropped over his eyes.
The room burst out laughing.
Virat (visiting camp):
"Bro, that helmet retired before you were born."
Aarav lifted it off.
"In my defense, it attacked me first."
Even the coach smiled.
---
## 🏏 BOWLING SPELL – STATEMENT MADE
Later.
Aarav was handed the ball.
Red Dukes.
Shiny.
Field set cautiously.
Slip.
Gully.
Point back.
First ball.
Good length.
140+ km/h.
The senior batsman inside-edged… just short of leg slip.
Second ball.
Full.
Late swing.
*LBW shout.*
Umpire shook his head.
Third ball.
Short.
Climbed.
Glove.
Flew.
Caught at gully.
Silence.
Then—
"Nice spell," someone said quietly.
That was all.
But in Ranji cricket—
That was applause.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM LOG – RESPECT METER UPDATED
---
✔ Dressing room acceptance: +15%
✔ Senior player acknowledgment: Achieved
✔ Fear factor: Growing
**Note:**
You don't dominate Ranji in one day.
You survive it—ball by ball.
---
## 🍵 EVENING TEA – THE TEST
Aarav sat with a cup of tea.
A senior spinner sat beside him.
"So," the man said casually, "World Cup hero, huh?"
Aarav nodded.
"Yes, sir."
The spinner sipped tea.
"Here," he said, "no one cares."
Aarav smiled.
"Good," he replied. "Less pressure."
The spinner laughed.
First real laugh of the day.
---
## 🌙 END OF DAY THOUGHTS
Back in his room, Aarav collapsed on the bed.
Muscles sore.
Mind alert.
This wasn't flashy.
No crowds.
No cameras.
Just cricket.
Pure.
Hard.
Unforgiving.
And for the first time—
Aarav felt challenged again.
He grinned.
"Good," he whispered.
"I was getting bored."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM PROMPT – NEXT OBJECTIVE
---
**Upcoming:**
➡️ Ranji Trophy Debut Match
➡️ Senior bowlers, swinging ball
➡️ First-class pressure
**Warning:**
Mistakes will be punished.
**Reward:**
Belonging.
---
--chapter 44 end--