Trials were nothing like matches.
Matches had rhythm.
Trials had judgment.
At Shivaji Park, talent could shine freely. At trials, it was dissected—ball by ball, movement by movement, mistake by mistake.
And the Mumbai U-14 trials were the first place where dreams quietly broke.
---
## 🌄 TRIAL DAY – MORNING
The ground at **Cross Maidan** was already alive when Aarav arrived.
White kits everywhere.
Pads slung over shoulders.
Fathers giving last-minute advice.
Coaches whispering instructions.
Names echoed constantly.
Some familiar.
Some intimidating.
Aarav adjusted the strap of his kit bag and walked in without hurry.
He had been here before.
In another life.
---
## 🧾 REGISTRATION & GROUPING
Players were divided into nets groups.
Batters.
All-rounders.
Bowlers.
Aarav's name was called under **All-Rounders – Group B**.
He noted the group list quietly.
There were strong names there.
Club performers.
School-level stars.
No weak links.
---
## 👨👦 FATHER'S WORDS
Before walking toward the nets, Aarav felt a hand on his shoulder.
His father leaned closer.
"Play straight," Rohit said.
"Everything else will follow."
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just clarity.
---
## 🏏 NET SESSION – BATTING EVALUATION
The batting nets were fast-paced.
Each player got limited time.
Limited balls.
No second chances.
---
### Bowler Rotation:
- Right-arm medium: **Siddharth Kale**
- Left-arm spin: **Manish Jadhav**
- Off-spin: **Kunal Bendre**
Selectors watched silently from behind.
---
### Aarav Enters the Net
First ball.
Length delivery.
Seam upright.
Aarav pressed forward.
Defended.
Solid.
Still.
Second ball.
Shorter.
Back foot punch.
Grounded.
Clean.
The coach raised an eyebrow.
---
### Over-by-Over Impression
- Drives were checked, not forced
- Cuts were late, not flashy
- No aerial shots
Every shot had intent.
Not aggression.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM STATUS
---
### 🧠 KL RAHUL TEMPLATE – TRIAL MODE
- Shot Selection: Conservative
- Balance Index: Optimal
- Error Margin: Minimal
---
Aarav felt it.
The system wasn't pushing.
It was supporting.
---
## 🏏 BOWLING ASSESSMENT
After batting, it was bowling time.
Short spells.
Accuracy focused.
---
### Aarav's Bowling Spell (3 Overs)
- Over 1: 2 runs, no boundary
- Over 2: Beat the bat twice
- Over 3: Cutter grips
One batter pushed hard.
Outside edge.
*c slip*
The selector made a note.
---
### Figures:
**3–0–9–1**
Efficient.
---
## 🧾 FIELDING TEST
The fielding drills were ruthless.
Catching under fatigue.
Throwing accuracy.
Sprint recovery.
---
### Key Moment
Flat throw from deep midwicket.
Single stump.
One attempt.
Aarav picked up cleanly.
Released in one motion.
Direct hit.
The batter was short.
A murmur ran through the sidelines.
---
## 🧠 INTERNAL REALIZATION
This pool was deeper than academy cricket.
Mistakes didn't get forgiven.
But neither did consistency go unnoticed.
---
## 🏏 PRACTICE MATCH – AFTERNOON
Selected players were put into short practice games.
**20-over format.**
Aarav's team batted first.
---
## 🧾 PRACTICE MATCH SCORECARD
### Aarav's Team – 142/6 (20 overs)
Aarav came in at No. 3.
---
### Aarav Malhotra – Batting
- Faced swing early
- Rotated strike constantly
---
**Score:**
**46 runs (38 balls)**
- 5 fours
- Strike Rate: 121.05
Dismissal:
*c deep cover b right-arm medium*
No recklessness.
Just timing.
---
## 🏏 BOWLING CONTRIBUTION
He bowled two overs in the middle.
---
### Figures:
**2–0–11–1**
Caught at mid-on.
Safe hands.
---
## 👀 SELECTORS' DISCUSSION
As players cooled down, Aarav noticed two selectors talking quietly.
One pointed briefly in his direction.
No smiles.
No nods.
Just acknowledgment.
That was enough.
---
## 🧾 END OF DAY ANNOUNCEMENT
Late evening.
All players gathered.
A senior official stepped forward.
"This is only the first round," he said.
"Shortlisted players will be informed."
No lists.
No immediate results.
Trials never gave closure.
They gave waiting.
---
## 🏠 BACK HOME
Dinner was simple.
No celebration.
No disappointment.
Aarav reviewed the day mentally.
Footwork.
Bowling lengths.
Fielding angles.
No errors stood out.
That was good.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM UPDATE
The interface appeared briefly as Aarav lay in bed.
---
### 🧠 TRIAL PHASE – COMPLETED
**Evaluation Status:** Positive
**AB de Villiers Template:**
🔒 *Still Locked*
**Condition Reminder:**
➡️ U-14 Match Dominance Required
---
Aarav smiled faintly.
Trials were not about dominance.
They were about entry.
And he had done enough.
---
As sleep took him, one thought lingered:
> *This is where paths begin to split.*
Some would fall away.
Some would rise.
And some—
Would quietly walk past everyone else.
--chapter 9 end--