Winning changes the way doors open.
Not louder.
Not wider.
Just differently.
After the U-16 final, Aarav Malhotra didn't walk into the next phase of his career.
He was pulled into it.
---
## 🏟️ MCA U-19 PRELIMINARY SELECTION CAMP
**Location:** Sharad Pawar Indoor Nets, Mumbai
**Age Group:** Under-19
**Purpose:** Probables Screening Camp
The jump from U-16 to U-19 wasn't about talent.
It was about survival among men who were almost men.
Bigger shoulders.
Harder throws.
Quieter confidence.
Here, nobody looked impressed by records.
They looked at habits.
---
## 🧾 ARRIVAL DAY
Aarav arrived early.
Not out of nervousness.
Out of discipline.
Around him, familiar names began to appear—players he'd heard whispers about for years.
- **Virat Kohli** – Delhi import for camp exposure, sharp eyes, restless energy
- **Rohit Sharma** – Compact build, effortless timing
- **Cheteshwar Pujara** – Calm, methodical, unshaken
- **Ravindra Jadeja** – Lean, athletic, always moving
They weren't stars yet.
But they weren't boys either.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM STATUS – ARC TRANSITION
---
### 🧠 ACTIVE TEMPLATES
✔ KL Rahul – Foundation
✔ AB de Villiers – Expansion
✔ Dale Steyn – Aggression
**System Observation:**
➡️ Competition density increased
➡️ Margin for error reduced by 38%
**New Requirement:**
➡️ Consistency across sessions
➡️ No visible fatigue
➡️ Tactical awareness emphasized
---
## 🏏 DAY 1 – NET ASSESSMENTS
No matches.
Just nets.
Which were worse.
---
### Batting Nets – Session One
Bowling was relentless.
Senior U-19 quicks.
Hard lengths.
No freebies.
Aarav didn't dominate.
He adapted.
---
### First 30 Balls:
- Solid defense
- Late cuts
- Soft hands into gaps
No sixes.
No theatrics.
Selectors watched silently.
---
### Coach Comment (whispered):
"He's not trying to impress."
"That's good."
---
## 🏏 BOWLING SESSION – DAY 1
Aarav bowled short spells.
Not full pace.
Not half pace.
Control pace.
---
### Observations:
- Seam position stable
- Length disciplined
- Bounce consistent
One delivery jagged back sharply.
The batter winced.
Selectors noted it.
---
## 🧾 DAY 2 – PRACTICE MATCH ANNOUNCED
Finally.
Something real.
---
## 🏟️ PRACTICE MATCH – RED vs BLUE
**Format:** 40 Overs
**Venue:** MCA Ground, Bandra Kurla Complex
Aarav was placed in **Blue Team**.
Batting at **No. 3**.
No captaincy.
Just assessment.
---
## 🏏 RED TEAM – FIRST INNINGS
Blue Team bowled first.
Aarav introduced himself in the 8th over.
---
### Over 8.4
Back of length.
Late seam.
---
### WICKET!
**c slip (Rohit Sharma) b Aarav**
No celebration.
Ball back to the umpire.
---
### Over 10.2
Fuller.
Tail-in.
---
### WICKET!
LBW.
Finger went up instantly.
---
### Figures:
**5–0–19–2**
Efficient.
---
## 🏏 RED TEAM – FINAL SCORE
**196/7 (40 overs)**
Decent.
Nothing special.
---
## 🏏 BLUE TEAM – CHASE
Early wicket fell.
Then another.
---
### Score at 6 Overs:
**Blue Team: 21/2**
Aarav walked in.
Virat Kohli stood at the non-striker's end.
They exchanged a glance.
Nothing said.
---
## 🧠 BATSMAN VS BATSMAN
Two future pillars.
Two different energies.
Virat pressed forward.
Aarav absorbed.
---
### Partnership Building
Singles.
Rotations.
Occasional boundary.
---
### Over 14 – Spinner bowling
Aarav stepped out.
Inside-out over cover.
**FOUR.**
Virat smiled slightly.
---
### Score at 15 Overs:
**Blue Team: 78/2**
Aarav: **31 (37 balls)**
Virat: **28 (30 balls)**
---
## 🏏 PRESSURE PHASE
Red Team tightened lines.
Virat fell trying to force.
---
### Score at 18 Overs:
**Blue Team: 92/3**
Eyes shifted to Aarav.
---
## 🧠 AB TEMPLATE – CONTROL MODE
Aarav didn't rush.
---
### Over 21
Late cut.
**FOUR.**
---
### Over 23
Short.
Pulled along the ground.
**FOUR.**
---
## 🧾 FIFTY IN CAMP CONDITIONS
Over 26.
Driven straight.
---
### Aarav Malhotra:
**50 (61 balls)**
Quiet.
But undeniable.
---
## 🏏 FINISHING THE CHASE
Aarav stayed till the end.
---
### Final Score:
**Blue Team: 198/4 (36.1 overs)**
Aarav remained unbeaten.
---
### Aarav's Innings:
**72* (84 balls)**
- 6 fours
- Strike Rate: **85.7**
---
## 🧠 SELECTORS' ROOM – LATER
Names were discussed.
Voices low.
No arguments about Aarav.
Just placement.
---
### Selector Patil:
"He's ready for U-19 state cricket."
Coach Deshpande nodded.
"And more."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM MESSAGE – NIGHT
---
### 🧠 ARC UPDATE
✔ U-19 Camp Performance – Approved
✔ Physical readiness confirmed
✔ Tactical maturity acknowledged
**Next Objective:**
➡️ Mumbai U-19 State Tournament
➡️ New teammates
➡️ Real pressure
---
Aarav lay on his bed that night.
No excitement.
No anxiety.
Just awareness.
The room had gotten bigger.
And for the first time—
He belonged in it.
--chapter 24 end--