Manish and Ali's plan had accelerated further than they had expected. They had successfully woke the audience. Their eyes were on Sahwit, Siddarth and the umpires. Due to this, the unfair decisions were almost stopped. Siddarth was fuming.
How could someone reject a golden chance to further their dream just because it isn't fair to others? Siddarth thought to himself. All his life, Siddarth got whatever he wanted despite it affecting others. He saw his father, firing people from their positions and completely ruling over the school. While this was going on, he saw two kinds of people, ones who fought back, and were erased.
The others would fall to his command, sucking up to him whenever they could. That was what he believed a leader was. Someone who controlled others with their superior power and cunning. The strong eat the weak. Those who had no connections were useless and to be discarded. Despite the belief and wishes they had.
Ali smiled, seeing the commotion occurring in the spectator tents. By now, not one person believed the match was completely fair. Even those who hadn't watched a single over of cricket knew something was up. Hari was up next. He stood forward, calm and unfazed ready to fully face Anirudh, as a experienced player would.
Anirudh's last two balls went for sixes, and Manish was expaserated. So not all of Siddarth's players were like him.
[Mrinal 33* (18) | Hari 12* (2) | 59/1 ]
The duo of Mrinal and Hari kept a long partnership, with every change of field by Manish producing a new gap which was exploited by Hari. This continued until the 12th over, which was bowled by Suraj. "Suraj, don't make it worse." Said Manish, before handing the ball over to him.
They don't believe in me. Suraj thought to himself. He had intensively practiced for the last two days, and had changed his plans completely.
Ball 1, Suraj ran forward, bowling a top spinner that was deflected for a single by Mrinal.
[Mrinal 53* (49) | Hari 32* (14) | 99/1 ]
Ball 2, Suraj once again threw another top spinner, this time slightly faster, which was dispatched for a four. "Come on, your bowling is too easy to hit! Throw a shorter ball, I want to hit a six now!" Mocked Hari.
[Mrinal 53* (49) | Hari 36* (14) | 103/1 ]
Ball 3, Suraj decided, it's time to change things up. This time he bowled a off spinner ball, which was shorter and flew away from Hari. Hari tried to do a scoop shot, but the ball hit the side of the bat and flew up, into the air. Manish knew, no one was close to the ball except Suraj. "Catch it, Suraj!" Screamed Ali. Suraj put his hands forward. The ball fell slowly, downwards. No sounds were heard. Only Suraj and the ball. Do it like Jadeja. Suraj caught the ball, like he was plucking the wicket of Hari. "Amazing catch from Suraj! A complete upchange in his tactics! He has plucked a crucial wicket here." Ashwin's voice bellowed from the speakers.
Suraj calmly celebrated by bowing in front of Hari once, then at the audience. "Your shorter ball, sir." He mocked Hari.
Hari looked at him. "I thought you were the weak link of the team. Good one. Anyways, I doubt I'll ever get a chance again. See you later."
Dalal walked in, ready to stop the collapse of wickets. Siddarth had told him what to do. No excessive running, no excessive boundary hitting. Just anchor the innings and reach a good total.
But that idea, according to Dalal, was for losers. The ones who gave up on complete domination.
Dalal stood in an attacking batting stance, ready to face Suraj.
Ali saw this, and decided to use his absolute analysis eye.
[Mohammed Dalal is a player who can do well in any role, be it anchoring or aggression. It is suggested to continually switch between pace and spin, in order to unnerve the batsman.]
Ali ran to Suraj, and told him, "Try to pull Mrinal to the striker's end and get him out. As for Dalal, we will cross the bridge when that moment comes. Dalal will definitely try to play aggressively, bowl something that cannot be hit for a four or a six."
"Shouldn't Manish be telling me this?" Questioned Suraj.
"He made me vice captain, so bear with me." Ali calmly stated.
"Alright, your wish is my command."
Ball 4, Suraj threw a doorsa, which had a lower bounce. Dalal tried to sweep it for a four, but had to settle with 2 runs, They saw through me, dammit! Dalal thought to himself.
[Mrinal 53* (49) | Dalal 2* (1) | 105/2 ]
Ball 5, Dalal was still at the crease, Suraj's job wasn't finished. He threw a slow straight ball, to trick Dalal into hitting the ball away, so that he can force Mrinal to face him. Dalal failed to notice, once again trying to hit it away, but only managing to get a single.
[Mrinal 53* (49) | Dalal 3* (2) | 106/2 ]
Ball 6, Mrinal faced Suraj, only wishing to take a dot ball to end the over. But Suraj and Ali had other plans. Suraj threw a deceptively straight ball, which had slight leg spin in it. Mrinal failed to read it, and the ball bounced off the side of his bat before being caught by Imran. "Another one! Amazing wicket here from Suraj, the coal has finally matured into a diamond!" Ashwin was happy to see this sudden breakdown of the Red House batting order, as he was forced to agree with all of the earlier bad calls.
Siddarth crushed the plastic bottle in his hands, fuming purely in anger. If others are falling to do the task you set for them, do it yourself. This was one of the things his dad had taught him. "Sit down, Suman. I'm promoting myself up the order." He commanded. "But, I never got a chance to show my skills to the coach! If you take my spot, I won't even have a chance to enter the team!" Suman protested.
"You wouldn't even make it into the school team even if you got a chance. But if we win here, you will get that chance. Be grateful." Siddarth threatened him.
"Do what you want."
Foolish. He only got here due to me, and wants to stop me? Like a dog biting its master's hand. Siddarth laughed, and calmed himself down from his anger.
A man in the administration tent smiled. "Activate Asset Evolution."
[Which Asset?]
"Siddarth Reddy. I'll use 1 lakh on the evolution."
[Understood. Collecting money…Complete!]
Ali stood at the boundary this time, ready to collect another wicket. Suddenly a notification appeared in the system.
[Counter Module: System Interference Detected.]
"Of course. Right when his son appears. Does he want me to suspect him?" Ali laughed.
TO BE CONTINUED
Ps: if you like what you are reading so far, why not add the book into your collection?