There was a clear difference between talent and threat.
Talent earned applause.
Threat earned silence.
By Day 4 of the Mumbai U-16 probables camp, Aarav Malhotra was no longer just another name on the attendance sheet.
He was being watched—closely.
---
## 🏟️ U-16 CAMP – PRACTICE MATCH DAY
**Format:** 50 Overs
**Venue:** MCA Ground No. 3, BKC
**Match:** Camp XI vs Camp XII
This was the match.
Not officially.
Not on record.
But everyone knew—
This was where selections began to harden.
---
## 🧾 TEAM ALLOCATION
Aarav was named **vice-captain** of Camp XI.
No announcement.
No explanation.
Just a quiet decision.
---
### Camp XI (Key Players):
- Aarav Malhotra (AR)
- Prithvi Gawde (Opener)
- Shubham Rane (WK)
- Yash Borkar (Bat)
- Rohan Sawant (RMF)
- Ishan Kulkarni (SLA)
Camp XII had power.
Two fast bowlers clocking near the top of the group.
Aggressive top order.
This was no soft test.
---
## 🧾 TOSS
Camp XII won the toss.
They chose to bat.
The pitch looked greenish.
Morning moisture.
Fast bowlers' surface.
Aarav studied it carefully.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM ALERT
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE – PRE-ACTIVATION
**Condition:** High-speed contest
**Opponent Quality:** Elevated
**Trigger:** Bowling hostility required
---
Aarav picked up the ball.
He wanted the first over.
The captain nodded.
---
## 🏏 OVER 1 – AARAV TO OPEN
He lengthened his run-up.
Not rushed.
Not aggressive.
But purposeful.
---
### Ball-by-Ball:
- 1.1: Good length → defended solidly
- 1.2: Slightly fuller → pushed to cover
- 1.3: Back of length → shoulder high, evaded
- 1.5: Tight on off → beaten
- 1.6: Length → outside edge, drops short of slip
A sharp over.
No wicket.
But the batters had felt it.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM FEEDBACK
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE
**Aggression Index:** 42%
➡️ Increase wrist snap
➡️ Maintain attacking length
---
## 🏏 CAMP XII COUNTERATTACK
The second opener was bolder.
Drove on the up.
Pulled freely.
---
### Score at 5 Overs:
**Camp XII: 32/0**
Not dominance.
But intent.
---
## 🧠 CAPTAINCY CALL
Aarav didn't panic.
He changed ends.
Asked for a short third man.
Pulled mid-on straighter.
Then ran in again.
---
## 🏏 OVER 6 – THE SHIFT
- 6.1: Length → defended
- 6.2: Fuller → late swing inward
---
### WICKET!
Bat-pad.
Pop-up.
**Caught at short leg – Yash Borkar**
The batter didn't move.
---
### Figures:
**Aarav: 3–1–14–1**
The first crack.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM RESPONSE
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE
**Aggression Index:** 58%
➡️ Confidence spike detected
➡️ Hostility threshold rising
---
Aarav felt it.
The ball felt heavier.
The seam sharper.
---
## 🏏 PRESSURE BUILDS
The new batter tried to dominate.
Stepped out.
Drove hard.
Aarav shortened his length subtly.
---
### Over 8:
- Ball 2: Short of length → mistimed pull
- Ball 4: Hard length → chest-high fend
The batter backed away.
That mattered.
---
## 🏏 FIRST SPELL ENDS
After 6 overs.
---
### Aarav's Spell:
**6–2–21–1**
Not fiery.
But controlling.
---
## 🧾 MIDDLE OVERS – CAMP XII RECOVERS
Spinners came on.
Runs flowed.
---
### Score at 20 Overs:
**Camp XII: 94/2**
A partnership developing.
This was the danger zone.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM PROMPT
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE – ACTIVATION WINDOW
➡️ Second spell required
➡️ Break partnership with pace
---
Aarav walked back to the top of his mark.
Changed his grip slightly.
The coach noticed.
---
## 🏏 OVER 21 – SECOND SPELL BEGINS
The crowd—players, coaches, selectors—leaned in.
---
### Over 21 Ball-by-Ball:
- 21.1: Full, fast → driven, single
- 21.2: Hard length → beats outside edge
- 21.3: Harder length → inside edge onto pad
- 21.4: Same length, quicker
---
### WICKET!
Middle stump uprooted.
No swing.
No trick.
Just pace and accuracy.
---
The batter stared.
The stump lay flat.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM SURGE
---
### 🧠 STEYN TEMPLATE
**Aggression Index:** 78%
**Trait Emerging:**
✔ Relentless Length
✔ Batter Intimidation
---
Aarav didn't celebrate.
He walked back.
Already thinking about the next ball.
---
## 🏏 OVER 23 – THE STATEMENT
New batter.
Nervous.
Aarav smelled it.
---
- 23.1: Short → hurried pull, no run
- 23.2: Fuller → late swing away
- 23.3: Same line → outside edge
---
### WICKET!
**c slip b Aarav**
Two in three overs.
---
### Figures:
**8–3–28–3**
The practice match had tilted.
---
## 🧾 CAMP XII COLLAPSE
Pressure spread.
Mistakes followed.
---
### Score at 30 Overs:
**Camp XII: 128/6**
Aarav's spell had changed the game.
---
## 🧠 SELECTORS' NOTE
Coach Kulkarni whispered to Deshpande.
"He doesn't spray it," he said.
"He hunts."
---
## 🏏 FINAL FIGURES – CAMP XII
They folded for **162 all out (36.2 overs)**
A defendable score.
But only just.
---
## 🏏 CAMP XI CHASE – AARAV BATS
He walked in at No. 3.
No rush.
No excitement.
---
### Early Overs:
Fast bowling.
Extra bounce.
Aarav stayed compact.
---
### Score at 10 Overs:
**Camp XI: 42/1**
Aarav: **14 (21 balls)**
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM MODE
---
### 🧠 KL RAHUL TEMPLATE
**Anchor Mode:** Active
➡️ Stabilize chase
---
## 🏏 CONTROLLED PROGRESSION
He didn't dominate.
He ensured safety.
Rotated strike.
Punished loose balls.
---
### Over 18 – Medium Pace
Overpitched.
Straight drive.
**FOUR.**
Clean.
Textbook.
---
## 🧾 AARAV'S KNOCK
**39* (44 balls)**
- 4 fours
- Strike Rate: **88.6**
Camp XI won comfortably.
---
## 🏆 POST-MATCH SILENCE
No cheers.
No huddles.
Just quiet nods.
The coaches wrote.
The selectors circled names.
Aarav packed his kit slowly.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM MESSAGE – NIGHT
As he lay in bed, the interface appeared brighter than before.
---
### 🧠 TEMPLATE STATUS UPDATE
**Dale Steyn Template:**
🔓 **PARTIALLY UNLOCKED (72%)**
**Unlocked Traits:**
✔ Aggressive Length Control
✔ Seam Presentation
✔ Mental Pressure on Batter
**Remaining Condition:**
➡️ Match-winning bowling spell under official tournament pressure
---
Aarav stared at the ceiling.
Speed wasn't about running faster.
It was about making the batter feel late.
And now—
They were feeling it.
--chapter 17 end--