A week had passed since the school match that saw Raj shined not just as a batsman, but as a calm leader wearing his own glove.
Now, the heat was rising again.
Coach Murali had announced a Challenge Match juniors versus seniors. No pressure. No prize.No awards.
But everyone knew what it really meant:
A fight for respect.
"Play your game," Uday said, tightening his pads as Raj helped adjust his glove.
Raj nodded, but his eyes were on the far edge of the ground.
There she was again.
The girl in yellow.
Same soft smile. Same quiet stare. Sitting near the temple wall, arms folded and watching Raj.
Still unnamed. Still unnoticed by most.
But Priya noticed.
She stood near the scoreboard, writing in her notebook, watching match and then at the girl... and then at Raj.
The match started.
Raj's team — the juniors — won the toss and chose to bat.
It was a 10-over match, high-pressure, fast format.
Zayed opened with Raj.
First Over – Bowled by Ravi (Senior Fast Bowler)
Ball 1: Short ball, Raj lets it go — DOT
Ball 2: Yorker, Raj digs it out to mid-on — SINGLE
Ball 3: Zayed edges one to third man — FOUR
Ball 4: DOT BALL
Ball 5: Full toss — Zayed drives it over mid-off — SIZ RUNS
Ball 6: Slower ball — Zayed misses it — DOT BALL
Score: 11/0 after 1
Second Over – Bowled by Manish (Senior Left-Arm Spinner)
Raj faced.
Ball 1: Tossed up, off-stump — Raj sweeps it fine — FOUR
Ball 2: Quicker one — Defended— DOTBALL
Ball 3: Short again — Raj rocks back and pulls to deep square — TWO RUNS
Ball 4: Flighted — Raj steps out and chips it to long-on — SINGLE
Ball 5: Dot Ball
Ball 6: Zayed mistimes — Dot ball again
Score: 18/0 after 2
Near the ropes, a few juniors clapped.
But all Raj could think about was staying calm. Keeping in touch with ball. Letting the RajCraft glove do its job.
[System Assist Active: Grip Stability +6%]
Wrist movement enhanced — clean shot execution
Over 3 to 6 moved quickly.
Zayed got out in the 5th over — trying to go over covers.
Raj stayed.
After 6 overs, he was 27 off 20 balls, mixing singles, cuts, and calm placements with timing.
He didn't go for big shots. He controlled the innings.
Over 7 – Raj faced the school's fastest bowler: Shiv, known for his extra pace.
Ball 1: Bouncer — Raj left it —DOT BALL
Ball 2: Yorker — he cut it to point — quick single
Ball 3: His partner, Nikhil got cleaned bowled first ball
Two wickets in two overs. Pressure building.
Over 8: Raj drove, pulled, and ran hard — but boundaries are not coming .
By over 9: Score was 66/3
Final Over: Raj on strike
Coach shouted, "Last over, boys!"
Raj took a deep breath.
Ball 1: Slower ball — Raj picked it early, stepped out, lofted it to deep mid-wicket — SIX!
Ball 2: Yorker — inside edge — two runs
Ball 3: Short — cut past point — four
Ball 4: Full — played to mid-off — single
Ball 5: Partner run-out
Ball 6: Raj back on strike — final ball
He flicked it calmly for two runs
Final Score: 81/4 in 10 overs
Raj: 45 off 34 balls(not out)
Applause came from unexpected places.
Even some seniors praised.
And outside the boundary?
The girl in yellow was still there.
Still smiling.
Still... watching only him.
[System Update: Field Consistency +3]
RajCraft glove performance recorded: 100% successful plays
Reputation Tracker: +8 school-level respect
Observer Signal: Intensifying
After the match, as Raj helped collect stumps, Priya walked past.
She paused.
"Nice innings."
Raj replied. "Thanks."
She hesitated. Then asked, "Do you... recognize her?"
Raj blinked. "Who?"
Priya turned her head toward the boundary side wall.
"She's been watching you. Since the expo. Since before that, maybe."
Raj looked back but the girl was gone.
He turned to ask more, but Priya had already walked away.
To be continued....
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