Fourth-innings chases in Ranji cricket weren't about bravery.
They were about restraint.
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## 🏟️ RANJI TROPHY – DAY 4
**Match:** Mumbai vs Karnataka
**Venue:** M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
**Target:** 214 runs
**Pitch:** Cracked, slow, unpredictable
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The scoreboard looked harmless.
214.
But the pitch disagreed.
Rough patches near good length.
Variable bounce.
A ball that sometimes did nothing—and then did everything.
Aarav stood near the boundary during warm-ups, shadow-batting slowly.
A senior opener walked past him.
"If this goes wrong," the man said casually,
"we're blaming the kid."
Aarav nodded seriously.
"Fair. I blame myself for most things too."
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## 🧠 SYSTEM – CHASE MODE
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**Difficulty:** High
**Time Pressure:** Medium
**Risk Factor:** Rising after 40 overs
**Template Priority:**
✔ KL – Chase temperament
✔ AB – Emergency use only
✖ Steyn – Irrelevant (thankfully)
**Objective:**
➡️ Bat time
➡️ Partnerships > Boundaries
➡️ Silence the crowd
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## 🏏 MUMBAI – INNINGS 4
Mumbai began cautiously.
Openers survived.
Then one edged.
Score: 39/1.
The second wicket fell soon after.
Score: 52/2.
Aarav padded up.
The dressing room quietened.
Captain glanced at him.
"Same rules," he said.
"No hero shots."
Aarav smiled.
"I left my cape at the hotel."
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## 🚶♂️ WALK TO THE CREASE
The Karnataka fielders were louder now.
Close-in.
Crowded.
The bowler bounced the ball aggressively.
Aarav took guard.
Tapped twice.
Looked up.
The slip chirped.
"Big match player, huh?"
Aarav replied softly,
"Only on weekdays."
The slip frowned.
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## 🏏 FIRST SPELL – SURVIVAL
The ball spun.
Sometimes.
Seamed.
Occasionally.
Aarav didn't ask questions.
He answered with patience.
- Forward defense
- Soft hands
- Late leaves
Runs trickled.
Singles stolen.
Pressure eased.
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## 📊 SCORE UPDATE
**Mumbai:** 87/2
**Aarav:** 21 (47 balls)
At the other end, a senior batted grimly.
Between overs, he whispered,
"You don't look nervous."
Aarav shrugged.
"I already spent my nervousness yesterday."
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## 🎭 FUNNY MOMENT – CROWD COMMENTARY
A voice from the stands yelled,
"PLAY SOME SHOTS, KID!"
Aarav glanced up.
Called back, politely.
"Only if you promise to field."
Laughter rippled through the small crowd.
The bowler scowled.
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## 🏏 TURNING POINT – THE PARTNERSHIP
The pitch worsened.
Batting became uglier.
And then—
A bad ball.
Short.
Wide.
Aarav cut it late.
Four.
Then another.
Not aggressive.
Assertive.
The field spread.
The pressure shifted.
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## 📊 PARTNERSHIP
**Aarav + Senior Batsman:**
- Runs: 96
- Balls: 178
- Boundaries: 9
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## 🧠 SYSTEM – COMPOSURE PEAK
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✔ Chase control achieved
✔ Opposition frustration rising
✔ Crowd noise fading
**Buff Active:**
🧠 *Anchor Mode*
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## 🏏 THE FINAL PHASE
Score: 183/3.
Needed: 31.
The senior edged… out.
Applause.
Aarav was 62*.
The tail arrived.
He changed gears—not tempo.
Guided singles.
Protected strike.
With 6 needed—
Full toss.
Aarav didn't overthink.
Straight down the ground.
Four.
Next ball—
Single.
Game over.
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## 🏆 MATCH RESULT
**Mumbai won by 6 wickets**
Aarav remained not out.
Helmet off.
Small fist pump.
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## 📊 MATCH SCORECARD (KEY)
**Aarav Malhotra:**
- 1st Innings: 100
- 2nd Innings: 64*
- Match Wickets: 5
**Player of the Match:** Aarav Malhotra
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## 🧓 POST-MATCH MOMENT
As players shook hands, a Karnataka senior stopped Aarav.
"You're annoying," the man said.
Aarav braced.
"But," the man continued,
"you're going to play for India."
Aarav blinked.
"Hopefully," he said. "After a few naps."
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## 🧠 SYSTEM LOG – NEXT DOOR OPENING
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✔ Ranji debut success
✔ Pressure chase completed
✔ Selector interest: Active
**Next Objective:**
➡️ Back-to-back Ranji consistency
➡️ Zonal selection window opening
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As Aarav walked back to the dressing room, teammates slapped his back.
This time—
No one called him *kid*.
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--chapter 48 end--