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Author Thought
Hi,
Everyone there might be some spelling mistakes in the chapter please neglect it and enjoy the story.
Also leave you comments in the comment section.
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The North Zone U-16 Championship was held in Jaipur, a city of sandstone stadiums and dry winds. Nikhil stepped off the team bus, his shoulder freshly taped, his kit bag heavier than usual—not from gear, but from expectation.
The Uttar Pradesh squad was strong. Viraj had made it too, batting at number three. Arjun was leading the pace attack. Nikhil was slotted at number five—not quite anchor, not quite finisher. A floating role. A test of adaptability.
Coach Rameshwar addressed the team in the locker room. "This isn't camp. This is combat. You're not here to impress. You're here to win."
Their first match was against Punjab, a side known for aggressive batting and relentless sledging. The stadium was half full, but the noise was full throttle—drums, horns, chants.
UP won the toss and chose to bat.
Viraj opened with flair—two boundaries in the first over, then a mistimed loft that landed safely. Nikhil padded up early, watching from the tunnel. The pitch was dry, the bounce uneven. Timing would be tricky.
By the 12th over, UP was 68 for 2. Nikhil walked in.
The crowd buzzed. The Punjab fielders chirped.
"UP boy's here," one said. "Let's see if he can handle real cricket."
First ball: full and swinging. Nikhil defended, soft hands.
Second ball: short. He ducked.
Third ball: slower one. He waited, nudged it behind point—two runs.
He didn't dominate. He adapted.
The next few overs were a grind—dot balls, tight singles, near run-outs. Nikhil's shoulder twinged once, but he masked it. He built a partnership with Viraj, rotating strike, absorbing pressure.
By the 25th over, he had 28 off 33 balls. Then came a moment of clarity.
A leg-spinner tossed one wide. Nikhil stepped out—not for glory, but for control—and lofted it over extra cover. Not a six. Not a four. Just a clean two.
Coach Rameshwar clapped once from the dugout.
UP finished at 174 for 6. Nikhil remained unbeaten on 41 off 48 balls.
During the break, Arjun walked over. "You're playing like a sponge."
"Pressure doesn't break me," Nikhil replied. "It sharpens me."
Punjab's chase began with fireworks—two boundaries in the first over. Arjun struck early, but their middle order countered hard. By the 23th over, Punjab was 122 for 3.
Nikhil was placed at deep point. The sun was brutal. His shirt clung to his back. His shoulder throbbed.
Then came a chance.
A lofted cut flew toward him. He sprinted, dived, and caught it inches from the turf.
The umpire raised his finger.
The crowd roared.
Punjab need 45 in 24 balls
UP bowlers started doing what they practised in there training that is to get as much as dot balls and continue there line and length and wait for batters mistake.
Another 2 overs went and Punjab was only able to hit 12 runs in those overs without loosing any wicket.
Now Punjab need 33 runs in 2 Overs.
The pressure on punjab batsmen was very high. Because of this one of them planned to get as much run possible in next over the plan was to get at-least 15 runs.
But Then Arjun came into action(29th over) :
First ball: Batter lofted toward third man - six.
Second ball: Short ball: lofted again toward third man but the ball did not travel much catch "out".
UP Squad ran toward arjun to celebrate the wicket. Nikhil also congratulated arjun and returned to his position.
Third ball: Yorker - Batsmen misjudged the ball appeal for LBW. Umpire not interested (Ball missing the wicket).
Fourth ball: dot
Fifth ball: Hit toward extra cover - single.
Sixth ball: dot
Last Over 20 runs needed:
The whole Punjab and UP team were under pressure.
First ball: full toss: lofted to mid on - six
Second ball: Yorker - hit towards Fineleg - single
Third ball: Slower one - batsman misjudged the ball. dot
Fourth ball: wide yorker - ball missed. Dot
Fifth ball: upper cut:ball went over wicket keeper for Four.
Last ball: Yorker - clean bold.
Punjab Lost. UP won by 9 runs.
All the UP players Ran towards the pitch and started celebrating the victory.
After the match, a zonal selector approached Coach Rameshwar. "That boy—Nikhil. He's not flashy. But he's surgical."
Rameshwar nodded. "He's built for finals."
That night, Nikhil sat in the hotel balcony, notebook open, Jaipur lights flickering below.
"Lesson: Adaptation is power. Fix: Float without drifting. Goal: Anchor when needed. Finish when asked. Reminder: I'm not here to shine. I'm here to shape outcomes."
Tomorrow, they'd face Delhi.
And Delhi didn't forgive mistakes.