The air of tension never left the field, and the Delhi openers stretched and got ready to face the first ball of the second innings. Ayush Badoni and Ishan Kishan both had moderate and calm expressions for children under twelve, and I watched as they tapped the bat on the crease and did shadow batting. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the umpire signalled to start the innings. I started the innings, fielding at mid-on.
Sanneesh, Kerala team's best seam bowler, had stepped up to bowl the first over, and he looked rather confident when faced with the calm and unchildlike expressions of Badoni and Kishan; either way, this is how it started:
1st Ball: Sanneesh to Badoni, a beautiful pacy ball, swung inwards towards the batsman's pads, but Badoni took it well, flicking it off the pads towards square leg, where Faizal recovered the ball and threw it back to Sanneesh.
2nd Ball: This time, Sanneesh went for an off-cutter, and Kishan, facing his first ball, cut his bat towards deep square leg, and the ball rolled all the way to the boundary for four runs. A shame after delivering such a good ball.
3rd Ball: Sanneesh ran up to the crease once again, this time dropping the pace and Kishan punished him, lofting the ball with a straight drive that soared past the boundary... 6 runs.
4th Ball: Once again, Sanneesh brought back the off cutter, this time it was better place, the line and length perfect, the ball edging Kishan's bat, but as Ricky (the keeper), dived, his feet tripped and he could not make the catch, handing Kishan his first lifeline, the team looked deflated...
The rest of the over was a thrashing too, a six and a four from Kishan...
Score: 21/0 *Badoni 1/1 Kishan 20/5
The relentless trashing of the Kerala team continued, and coach Gautam looked disappointed in us. Prince had not bowled yet, which is kind of understandable for the early overs... The team was desperate for a wicket, Badoni and Kisahn had found a rhythm, and by the sixth over's end, they had formed a near-unbreakable partnership.
7th Over... Score: 72 *Badoni: 31/18 Kishan 41/17
Prince was called in to take his first over against the unbreakable openers, the team had reconvened, and pushed a man out to deep extra cover and deep square leg, while still keeping the inner circle compact as spin was about to be introduced. The system hummed into life in Prince's ears...
-Host, would you like to scan the opposition?
Prince thought for a second before confirming he would to the system silently as to not look stupid...
-Openers, Scanning complete...
-- Ishan Kishan- Ferocious hitter, hot-headed, cannot play off spin or top spin that well, is easily fooled by low balls, flippers etc...
-- Ayush Badoni- Less Ferocious, more calculated player, can hit big when required, excellent player of spin, however struggles to make boundaries against tight leg spin and floaters...
-Host Scanning Also Complete
Body Control (Ability Upgraded) Host is now able to redirect nerves to quicken response, and increase blood pressure in certain areas...
-Host is now ready...
1st Ball: Prince readied himself, taking a much shorter run up distance than the seam bowlers, Prince covered his bowling hand so as the batsmen wouldn't see the spin he chose, and he began the slight run, reaching the crease before angling down and letting out a deceptively quick yet, low leg spinner, that cut onto Badoni's pads, but he flicked it away to mid-on, no runs. A great first ball.
2nd Ball: Seeing that he had the momentum, Prince activated his body control and made his nervous response in his right wrist and hand faster, while increasing the blood pressure there, as he reached the crease, Prince thundered down and sent a much slower but more spun leg spinner towards Badoni, and this time when he tired to flick it, the ball changed after bouncing, flipping into an off position, edging his bat and flying straight into Ricky's hands, Prince had his first wciket, the team's first wicket, and he ran to celebrate with his mates...
3rd Ball: Rishabh Pant had replaced Badoni and was now at the non-striker's end, as Kishan faced Prince's bowling, and as the ball thundered past the crease, there was a hint of a whistle, as it bounced close to Kishan's feet, not rising due to massive amounts of spin, Prince held his wrist as it ached, but the ball worked, it stayed low, and evaded Kishan's bat who swung wildly to tap it away, but it clattered into the leg stump securing Prince's second wicket...
Next Chapter... Second Innings Part 2...