If batting on a flat pitch tested your ego…
Bowling on it tested your sanity.
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## 🏟️ RANJI TROPHY – ROUND 3 (CONT.)
**Match:** Mumbai vs Rajasthan
**Venue:** Brabourne Stadium
**Pitch:** Still flat. Still rude.
**Crowd Mood:** Mildly bored
**Selectors:** Still pretending not to watch
---
Aarav stood at mid-on, hands on hips, staring at the pitch like it had personally offended him.
Nothing.
No swing.
No seam.
No help.
The ball came off the bat like it was apologizing to the batsman.
A senior walked past him.
"Welcome to flat-deck bowling," he said.
"Where dreams go to hydrate."
Aarav nodded solemnly.
"I feel hydrated already," he replied.
"Emotionally."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM – BOWLING REALITY CHECK
---
**Pitch Assistance:** None
**Bowling Rewards:** Delayed
**Patience Requirement:** Extreme
**Template Priority:**
✔ Steyn – Control over pace
✔ KL – Mental calm
✖ AB – Irrelevant (thankfully)
**Objective:**
➡️ Build dots
➡️ Induce boredom
➡️ Let batsman self-destruct
---
## 🏏 RAJASTHAN – INNINGS 1
Score: 167/2
Run rate: Comfortable
Batsmen: Settled
Captain tossed the ball to Aarav.
"Six overs," he said.
"Make them uncomfortable."
Aarav looked at the pitch again.
"Sir," he replied, "define uncomfortable."
The captain smiled.
"That's your problem."
---
## 🎯 SPELL ONE – DOT BALL WARFARE
Aarav shortened his run-up.
Bowled heavy lengths.
Cut off angles.
No freebies.
The batsman tried forcing runs.
Failed.
Crowd sighed.
Perfect.
---
### Over-by-Over (Aarav – Spell 1)
- **Over 1:** 0 runs
- **Over 2:** 1 run
- **Over 3:** 0 runs
From slip, a fielder whispered,
"This is cruel."
Aarav replied softly,
"Thank you."
---
## 🎭 FUNNY MOMENT – THE APPEAL
Ball jagged… slightly.
Hit pad.
Everyone appealed.
Loudly.
Umpire didn't move.
Aarav stared at him.
Umpire stared back.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
Umpire raised his.
Aarav nodded.
"Fair enough," he said.
"I respect your confidence."
The umpire smiled despite himself.
---
## 🏏 BREAKTHROUGH – FINALLY
Over 9 of the spell.
Batsman grew impatient.
Stepped out.
Aarav didn't overdo it.
Back-of-length.
Wide of off.
The shot mistimed.
Ball ballooned.
Caught at cover.
Aarav clapped once.
Not celebration.
Relief.
---
## 📊 BOWLING FIGURES (SPELL 1)
**Aarav Malhotra:**
- Overs: 9
- Maidens: 4
- Runs: 19
- Wickets: 1
The captain patted his back.
"Good control."
Aarav nodded.
"I scared him into boredom."
---
## 🗣️ DRESSING ROOM CHAT (INNINGS BREAK)
A senior spinner looked at Aarav.
"You bowl like you're setting homework."
Aarav blinked.
"Is that bad?"
The spinner shrugged.
"They eventually fail."
---
## 🏏 MUMBAI – INNINGS 2 (DECLARED LEAD)
Mumbai declared late.
Aarav padded up again—but this time relaxed.
No rush.
No spotlight.
Just time.
---
## 🎭 LIGHT MOMENT – SELECTOR SCARE
While stretching, Aarav noticed a selector standing nearby.
Too close.
Too silent.
The man nodded once.
Aarav nodded back.
Then immediately stretched the wrong leg and almost fell over.
He recovered quickly.
Looked up.
Selector pretended not to notice.
Aarav whispered to himself,
"Smooth. Very smooth."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM LOG – CONSISTENCY CONFIRMED
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✔ Batting: Reliable
✔ Bowling: Controlling
✔ Attitude: Balanced
**Selector Signal:**
➡️ India A discussion active
➡️ Zonal consideration imminent
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## 🌙 END OF DAY – QUIET CONFIDENCE
Back in his room, Aarav finally checked his phone.
Messages everywhere.
He replied to one.
**Dad:** *Proud. Stay normal.*
**Aarav:** *Trying. Pitch not helping.*
He placed the phone aside.
Stared at the ceiling.
Flat pitches.
Long spells.
Quiet centuries.
Not glamorous.
But effective.
He smiled.
"This," he thought,
"is how careers are built."
---
--chapter 51 end--