Some calls arrive with celebration.
Some arrive with noise.
And then there are calls that arrive quietly—
yet rearrange the entire future.
---
## 🏠 MALHOTRA HOUSE – MUMBAI
**Time:** 6:12 AM
The city was barely awake.
Milk vans rattled down the street.
A temple bell rang somewhere far away.
The ceiling fan creaked with familiar rhythm.
Aarav was already up.
Not nervous.
Just… alert.
---
## 📞 THE PHONE VIBRATES
Unknown number.
Delhi code.
Aarav stared at it for half a second longer than necessary.
Then answered.
"Hello?"
---
## 🧓 VOICE FROM THE OTHER SIDE
"Is this Aarav Malhotra?"
"Yes, sir."
"This is from the BCCI selection office."
Silence.
Not awkward.
Heavy.
---
## 🧓 CONTINUED
"You've been selected for the **India A tour**."
A pause.
Then—
"And you're also in the **probables list for the senior national squad**."
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM RESPONSE (INSTANT)
---
✔ MAJOR STORY FLAG TRIGGERED
✔ ARC TRANSITION: DOMESTIC → INTERNATIONAL PREPARATION
✔ TEMPLATE SYNCHRONIZATION STABLE
**Status:**
➡️ Player no longer 'domestic prospect'
➡️ Tagged as 'Future Core Player'
---
## 🏡 BACK TO REALITY
Aarav didn't shout.
Didn't jump.
Didn't freeze.
He just said—
"Thank you, sir."
The selector added one more line before disconnecting.
"Be ready. This is only the beginning."
Call ended.
---
## 😄 FUNNY BEAT – MOTHER MODE ACTIVATED
Aarav turned around.
His mother was standing there.
Hands on hips.
"Who was it?" she asked.
Aarav replied casually,
"India A."
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"Should I make halwa or laddoos?"
His father walked in behind her.
"What happened?"
Before Aarav could answer—
His mother declared loudly,
"Our son is going abroad. Again."
Father nodded calmly.
"Good. But finish breakfast first."
Aarav laughed.
Just a little.
---
## 🏏 MEDIA REACTION – CONTROLLED, QUIET
No drama.
No controversies.
No screaming headlines.
Just solid respect.
> *'Mumbai's Aarav Malhotra named in India A squad after consistent Ranji dominance.'*
> *'Selectors impressed with all-round capability.'*
That was it.
No hype machine.
Yet.
---
## ✈️ INDIA A CAMP – NCA, BENGALURU
The air felt different here.
Everyone was good.
Everyone had numbers.
Everyone had belief.
But not everyone had **presence**.
---
## 🧑🤝🧑 FAMILIAR FACES (2006–2008 ERA)
- **Virat Kohli** – Sharp eyes, sharp tongue
- **Rohit Sharma** – Lazy elegance, dangerous timing
- **Cheteshwar Pujara** – Calm, unmovable
- **Ravindra Jadeja** – Silent confidence
Virat glanced at Aarav during nets.
Smirked.
"So you're the guy everyone's talking about."
Aarav replied,
"So you're the guy who doesn't stop talking."
Rohit laughed out loud.
"Okay, I like him already."
---
## 🏏 NET SESSION – FIRST IMPRESSION
Fast bowler steaming in.
Good pace.
Movement.
Intent.
Aarav didn't back away.
KL template kept him compact.
AB template let him improvise.
Ball whistled past edges.
Some hit the middle.
Some hit the rope.
Coach whispered to selector—
"He's comfortable against speed."
---
## 🎯 BOWLING SESSION – STEYN TEMPLATE ECHO
Given the ball.
Aarav marked his run-up.
Smooth.
Efficient.
Ball seamed in late.
One batsman edged.
Another beaten.
Coach raised an eyebrow.
"He's not just filling a slot, is he?"
Selector replied,
"No. He's forcing one open."
---
## 📊 PRACTICE MATCH SNAPSHOT
**India A vs State XI (Unofficial)**
**Aarav Malhotra:**
- Batting: 67 (52 balls)
- Bowling: 2/28 (6 overs)
Nothing flashy.
Everything effective.
---
## 🧠 SYSTEM UPDATE – QUIET BUT DANGEROUS
---
✔ INDIA A PHASE: STABLE
✔ SKILL CEILING: NOT YET REACHED
**Hidden Tag Added:**
➡️ "Senior Debut Candidate – Short Term"
---
## 🌙 NIGHT – HOTEL ROOM
Lights off.
City humming outside.
Aarav lay back on the bed.
This time—
He smiled.
Not because he'd made it.
But because he knew—
This was exactly how it happened last time.
Just earlier.
Cleaner.
Stronger.
---
## 🧠 FINAL THOUGHT
*Domestic cricket tested skill.*
*India A tested belonging.*
*The senior team…*
That would test legacy.
---
--chapter 55 end--