Recognition changes behaviour.
Aarav learned that before he learned reverse swing.
At the Cross Maidan grounds, the second day of the inter-academy tournament felt different. Coaches stood closer to the boundary. Players whispered longer between overs. Fielders didn't drift anymore—they moved with intent.
Shivaji Park Academy had won their opening match comfortably.
Which meant today, opponents came prepared.
Specifically—for him.
---
## 🏏 INTER-ACADEMY TOURNAMENT – GROUP MATCH
**Match:** Shivaji Park Academy vs Andheri Sports Academy
**Format:** 30 Overs
**Venue:** Cross Maidan, Mumbai
Andheri were known for discipline.
No flashy batters.
No express bowlers.
Just plans.
---
## 🧾 TOSS
Andheri Sports Academy won the toss and chose to bowl.
Their captain pointed immediately.
"We start with him."
Aarav noticed.
So did the coach.
---
## 🏏 SHIVAJI PARK ACADEMY – BATTING
### Opening Setup
Aarav opened again, but the field told the story.
- Three slips
- Gully
- Short mid-wicket
They wanted a mistake early.
---
### Over 1 – Right-arm medium (Aman Joshi)
- 1.1: Good length, outside off — left alone
- 1.2: Same line — left again
- 1.4: Fuller — Aarav leaned forward, dead bat
No run.
No ego.
---
### Over 2 – Left-arm medium (Sahil Deshmukh)
- 2.3: Short and wide — Aarav resisted the cut
- 2.6: Slightly straighter — tucked off the pads for **two**
The bowler sighed.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM ADJUSTMENT
---
### 🧠 KL RAHUL TEMPLATE – PRESSURE MODE
- Patience Multiplier: +10%
- Shot Delay Threshold Increased
- Ego Suppression: Active
---
Aarav smiled faintly.
He had been targeted before.
Just not this early in life.
---
## 🕰️ CONTAINMENT PHASE
For six overs, Andheri bowled without error.
No freebies.
No half-volleys.
---
### Score at 6 Overs:
**Shivaji Park: 22/0**
- Aarav: **9 (19 balls)**
The murmurs returned.
"He's stuck."
"Maybe yesterday was luck."
Aarav heard none of it.
---
## ⚡ THE FIRST CRACK
**Over 7 – Aman Joshi**
- 7.2: Fractionally overpitched
Aarav leaned into the drive.
Perfect balance.
Perfect timing.
Ball pierced mid-off.
**FOUR.**
Field changed immediately.
---
**Over 8 – Sahil Deshmukh**
- 8.5: On the pads
Aarav clipped it past square leg.
**FOUR.**
Two mistakes.
Two punishments.
---
### Score at 10 Overs:
**Shivaji Park: 46/0**
- Aarav: **26 (31 balls)**
The pressure shifted.
---
## 🔄 BOWLING CHANGE – SPIN
**Over 11 – Off-spin (Rohit Kulkarni)**
Flighted.
Tempting.
---
- 11.2: Aarav stepped out — controlled drive (FOUR)
- 11.5: Short — cut behind point (FOUR)
Spin didn't scare him.
It invited him.
---
## 🧾 PARTNERSHIP CONTROL
Aarav spoke softly to his partner.
"Just rotate. I'll take the risk later."
Leadership again—quiet, precise.
---
### Over 15 – Acceleration Begins
**Bowler: Aman Joshi**
- Short ball
Pulled hard.
Not in the air.
Along the ground.
**FOUR.**
---
**Over 16 – Off-spin**
- Reverse sweep attempted
Executed cleanly.
**FOUR.**
The Andheri captain rubbed his face.
Nothing was working anymore.
---
## 🧾 DISMISSAL ATTEMPT
**Over 18 – Left-arm medium**
They tried the slower ball.
Aarav checked his shot at the last moment.
Single taken.
He adapted mid-stroke.
That unsettled them more than boundaries.
---
## 🧾 DISMISSAL (CALCULATED)
**Over 21 – Off-spin**
- Field was back
- Aarav chose intent
He went inside-out over cover.
Didn't quite clear it.
*c deep cover b Rohit Kulkarni*
---
### Aarav Malhotra:
**66 runs (54 balls)**
- 9 fours
- Strike Rate: **122.22**
Not dominant.
But decisive.
---
## 🏏 SHIVAJI PARK ACADEMY – TOTAL
**196/6 (30 overs)**
A strong total.
Built under pressure.
---
## 🏏 ANDHERI SPORTS ACADEMY – CHASE
They began cautiously.
But the required rate climbed.
---
## 🏏 AARAV'S FIELDING & BOWLING
Coach gave Aarav three overs.
---
### Over 6 – Aarav to bowl
- Tight line
- No pace on the ball
**Figures after 2 overs:**
2–0–7–1
Wicket:
*c mid-off b Aarav*
---
### Fielding Highlight
- **Over 14:** One-handed catch at point
Reaction time barely a second.
The crowd finally clapped.
---
## 🧾 RESULT
**Shivaji Park Academy won by 42 runs**
---
## 🧠 POST-MATCH REALITY
Coach Kulkarni spoke to Aarav privately.
"They planned everything around you today."
Aarav nodded.
"That means it's working."
Kulkarni smiled.
"But remember—being targeted never stops."
"I know," Aarav replied.
"That's why I'm learning how to survive it."
---
## 🏠 EVENING AT HOME
His mother placed food on the table quietly.
"You didn't smile today," she noticed.
Aarav looked up.
"I didn't need to."
His father understood immediately.
"Some days are about proof," Raghav said.
"Others are about control."
Aarav agreed.
Today had been about control.
And in cricket—
Control was power.
--chapter 4 end--