Chapter 17: In the Zone

As I was about to bowl the first ball, I felt as if I could see everything. I felt what I felt the first time I bowled in the nets. Though just only for the first ball, I could see the trajectory, the spin on the ball, the tiny movement of the batsman.

With an intense glare, I took my stance at the top of the mark. I focused all my energy into my arm and let loose the first ball, a lightning-fast inswinging delivery. To my amazement, it took the edge of the first opener's bat and flew straight into the slips, where our fielder made an easy catch, sending our team into a frenzy.

The whole team was ecstatic and I was on cloud nine. My teammates were congratulating me and the captain gave me a big hug and said, "Well bowled, Vipin! You have changed the game for us."

The fire in my eyes burned brighter as I knew that this was just the beginning. I was determined to lead my team to victory with my powerful bowling and unbreakable will.

I looked at the remaining batsmen, my eyes filled with a fierce determination, ready to unleash my fury upon them, one by one.

With a fierce determination in my eyes and my spirit energy flowing through me , I prepared to bowl the next ball, ready to take down any batter that dared to stand in my way.

My opponents trembled in fear as they saw the fire in my eyes and the power in my arm. My teammates were rallied, cheering for me to take down the next batter and lead my team to victory.

I let loose the next ball, a powerful outswinger that flew towards the batter at lightning speed. As it hit the stumps, the crowd erupted in cheers once again and I knew that I had just sealed another victory for my team. I was the champion bowler and nothing could stop me now.

My teammates were jumping in joy and I was over the moon. I had taken two wickets in my very first over and had not given away a single run. The opposition team was in deep trouble and my team had the upper hand. (A/N: The new laws for new batsman facing the next ball after the previous is caught out was introduced in Sept 2022)

As I walked back to my fielding position, I couldn't stop smiling. I had just bowled my first over in the match and had taken two wickets. I was excited and nervous at the same time, but I had risen to the challenge and had performed exceptionally well.

I knew that there was still a lot of game left and I had to keep fighting, but for now, I was just going to enjoy this moment and the celebration with my teammates.

After both the batsmen got out their score became stagnant for the next over as the dry pitch really helped Vinay. Soon they started moving the score by rotating strikes as the score was not moving fast and we even got wickets in the coming overs. I was not called in for bowling. The score was 63-4 after 8 overs.

Well I don't understand why I was skipped but whatever. I didn't argue but soon everything changed after the ninth over. That one over was enough to make the Eagles' confidence sour in the sky.

As I walked out to the middle, I could feel the pressure mounting. The opposing team had just sent their star batsman Vikas Nayak leading the charge. I have heard he had been hitting huge sixes and boundaries with ease, putting every bowler to the sword.

I tried to focus on my breathing and clear my mind, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of nervousness. I knew that if we didn't perform well, it could mean the end of the game for us.

Soon the ball was passed to Sachin Patel. The most senior and experienced bowler on our team. He hasn't bowled any over yet and passed this over to him. Even I could sense his nervousness.

As he took my stance at the crease, I saw Vikas walking out to bat. He had a smirk on his face, as if he knew he had the game in the bag. I gritted my teeth and prepared myself for the battle ahead.

The first ball was delivered, and Vikas swung his bat with all his might. I heard the sound of wood meeting leather as the ball sailed over the boundary for six. My heart sank as I saw the ball disappear into the stands.

The next few balls were no different, with Vikas continuing to hit boundaries at will. I could feel the frustration and disappointment building inside me as I watched helplessly from my position. He alone took 28 runs in that over making their score 91-4 after 9 overs.

As I walked out to the captain, I could feel the pressure of the game weighing heavily on me. The opposing team had been dominating the match, and their star batsman was giving us a run for our money. With every delivery he faced, he was hitting towering sixes and boundaries, leaving our bowlers in disarray.

I tried to stay focused and block out the noise of the crowd, but it was difficult. The score was high and every run felt like a blow to our chances of winning. I could see the frustration on my teammates' faces as the batsman continued to score runs at will.

The nervousness of the bowler was palpable and could be felt by every player on the field. The captain, who also doubles as the team's wicket keeper, noticed this and approached the bowler in an attempt to offer some words of encouragement. However, despite the captain's efforts, the bowler remained uneasy and did not feel any better.

It was clear that the pressure of the situation was getting to him and he was struggling to shake off his nerves. The rest of the team could only hope that he would be able to pull through and deliver a strong performance, as the outcome of the match hung in the balance.