On both sides of the pitch, two players stood intensely, both wishing to use the other so that their team could win.
I have to take his wicket, Thought Simran.
I have to score more runs, Thought Ali.
Simran began bowling the 12th over.
The first 3 balls only went for singles and doubles.
[ Manish 56* (39) | Ali 23* (14) | 102/1 ]
Simran then threw the fourth ball. It was a quick straight ball. Ali planted his feet forward, like he had done thousands of times before, and sent the ball for a four with a perfect cover drive.
I'll have to do that then. Thought Simran.
The fifth ball was different, and Ali realized what had happened.
It was a extremely fast outswinger, aiming right at Ali's pads.
He actually went that far to face me, Thought Ali.
With his instincts screaming at him, Ali immediately whacked the ball away for a single.
[ Manish 56* (39) | Ali 28* (16) | 107/1 ]
Simran rubbed his fingers, trying to reduce the slight pain he was feeling.
Manish had to face the last ball, which was a slower cutter ball.
Manish tried to hit it, but the ball instead went behind him, before Venkat from behind caught the ball.
Manish had pushed himself forward. A bit too forward.
Within seconds, the bails fell to the ground, and Manish was out.
Simran jumped up in joy. The pain from earlier was worth it.
Ali looked at him, and remembered something.
In his past life, Simran had gotten injured one year before playing with Ali. It was a fracture of his ring finger, while he was trying to catch a ball in the previous year inter school tournament final. The catch was perfect, and Simran was hailed for it.
But this was at the cost of his direct future. He couldn't bowl at his best anymore, after the doctor who operated on his finger botched the surgery. Now whenever he bowled too well, his finger would pain a lot.
For a second, Ali felt pity.
Shrivastav walked up, ready to continue the partnership Ali and Manish started.
The 13th over was Ravichandran's.
Shrivastav was resolute, defending the first three balls of his over.
[ Shrivastav 0* (3) | Ali 28* (16) | 107/2 ]
The next three balls were pure defensive play, and Ravichandran's second over came to an end.
[ Shrivastav 2* (5) | Ali 29* (17) | 110/2 ]
Aditya had begun heating the bowling up, and Ashwandeep had to absorb every bit of it.
However the next over was Kanav's, who was targeted once again, this time by Ali.
[ Shrivastav 2* (5) | Ali 52* (23) | 133/2 ]
Ravichandran then bowled the 15th over.
Once again, Shrivastav began the over with complete defensive play.
But Ravichandran had other plans.
In the 3rd ball of his over, Ravichandran took Shrivastav's wicket via run out.
Dalal was next, in place of the injured Zayed.
Dalal looked at Ali before saying, "Don't hold me back."
"I will play how I want to, it is up to you to not cause havoc." Calmly stated Ali.
Dalal fell silent.
Dalal faced the fourth ball of Ravichandran's over. It was a leg spinner, which was more pronounced in its height. He did a back foot drive, which slipped away from Simran's hands, leading to a four.
[ Dalal 4* (1) | Ali 52* (23) | 137/3 ]
Dalal noticed this. How interesting. Let me target Simran then.
This time Ravichandran came in with a googly, which prevented Dalal from hitting the ball towards Simran.
He noticed it too. Thought Dalal.
Dalal slid the ball for a single.
[ Dalal 5* (2) | Ali 52* (23) | 138/3 ]
Ali then calmly defended the last ball of the over for a single.
[ Dalal 5* (2) | Ali 53* (24) | 139/3 ]
Aditya called Kanav over.
"Look at them. They think they can collect more runs in your over. Change. Prove them wrong." Said Aditya, in order to inspire Kanav.
Kanav first bowled a slower straight ball. Ali saw through it, and sild it to the side for 2 runs.
[ Dalal 5* (2) | Ali 55* (25) | 141/3 ]
This continued until the last ball. Ali faced Kanav, planning to send the last ball for a six.
[ Dalal 8* (4) | Ali 62* (28) | 151/3 ]
Kanav bowled the last ball, which Ali decided to sweep.
But the ball deviated from Ali's sweep, edging his bat, before Venkat caught it from behind.
Ali was out.
Kanav smiled. He had finally fixed his mistake.
Ali walked away while thinking, I should have been more careful.
Zainab and Salim clapped for him as he walked back into the dugout.
After this, Siddarth and Dalal, who had played with each other before, stitched a small partnership, ending the first innings with a target of 187.
Ali was surprised. What happened to Siddarth? He had actually improved. He was more productive and trained like his spot in the team was on the line. Did Siddarth and Sahwit have a falling out?
Siddarth walked back to the dugout, after hitting a nice and simple 30 runs. He seemed happy outside, but was scowling on the inside.
Ali was more impactful today. I have to make sure the selectors see me, not him. I have to give dad a reason to use his power. Thought Siddarth.
Sahwit meanwhile was calmly sitting at the administrative area. He had seen his son's performance.
Not good enough, Thought Sahwit.
TO BE CONTINUED
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