Chapter 12: The Sudden Realisation
Author's Rant:
I have ventured on a new path, like a brave adventurer exploring uncharted territory. I have tried to change my writing style, like a samurai who has decided to wield a new weapon. If this new tone does not please you, my lord/lady, please let me know. I will return to my previous style, like a traveller who has reached a dead end and has to retrace his steps. I just wish to try new things, like a young hero seeking to hone his skills. And I humbly ask for your reviews, my lord/lady, like an apprentice seeking guidance from his master. For it is only through your feedback that I can improve, like a warrior who seeks to perfect his craft.
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Kohli stood at the crease, his bat at the ready, like a warrior preparing for battle. I stood tall on the pitch, my eyes locked on my opponent, like a fierce dragon ready to unleash its fury. I took a deep breath, like a samurai preparing to strike, and with a fluid motion, I wound up and released the ball. The ball flew towards Kohli like a fiery meteor, its speed increasing with every moment, like a dragon's breath getting hotter. I watched as the ball hurtled towards him, ready to unleash its power.
Virat watches as the ball approaches, but he is caught off guard as the ball suddenly dips and slows, leaving him scrambling to adjust his swing. I grins, knowing that I have thrown a successful slow ball. But I don't rest on my laurels, and with lightning speed I wind up and bowled another delivery, this time at breakneck speed.
Kohli is caught off guard once again, as the ball whizzes past him at an unimaginable pace. I have successfully thrown both a fast and slow ball, leaving Kohli guessing and on the defensive.
"Woah! You got better in such a short time. The day before yesterday you were throwing the same bowl again and again. In such a short time you fixed a flow of yours but didn't get on your high horse. I am not going to just from now on." Virat said as he gave me a smile and was again thumped down his bat next delivery.
"Anything for you, Chiku~~" I said in a flirty tone which got the same reaction I was hoping for.
"YOU!!! Just go and bowl. I have to do my holiday homework after this." Virat complained.
"Okay, Okay. Don't sulk now" I replied back while laughing. It is too much fun to tease him.
I retreated back to my mark, the ball in hand, ready for another round of battle. But this time, things were different. The energy in the air was electric, like the build up to a final showdown. I let the ball fly, and this time, it was a fierce battle. The ball flew towards Virat, and it was as if time itself had slowed down as I watched him swing his bat. Some of my deliveries got through, like a sneak attack from a skilled assassin, but Virat was still able to hit most of them. He knew my moves, like a seasoned warrior who had faced me in countless battles before. But I was not deterred, my line and length were still the same, like a samurai's unwavering resolve. This was going to be an epic showdown, and I was ready for it.
This small victory, though it may have been, only fueled my determination to reach my ultimate goal. It was like a warrior who had won a minor battle, but it only made them more eager to claim the final victory. I was like a fierce dragon, who had tasted victory and now it only fueled my desire to conquer. This was just a stepping stone to my ultimate goal, and I was ready to face any challenge that came my way. I was determined, like a samurai who had set his eyes on his ultimate prize, and nothing will stop me from reaching it.
[Day 4]
Today the coach taught me the charm of swimming and seam bowling and from what I have understood.
An "inswing" bowler in cricket is like a sly, cunning warrior on the battlefield, using their precision and guile to lure their opponents into a false sense of security before striking with deadly accuracy. They release the ball with a subtle angle of spin and with the seam of the ball facing the batsman, causing it to move towards the batsman and catch them off guard.
An "outswing" bowler, on the other hand, is like a powerful, unrelenting force, unleashing balls with sheer force and ferocity. They release the ball with a subtle angle of spin and with the seam of the ball facing away from the batsman, causing it to move away from the batsman and make it difficult for them to hit.
Seam bowling in cricket is like a master tactician on the battlefield, using the subtle nuances of the ball to outsmart their opponents. The bowler grips the ball with their fingers along the seam, and uses the natural seams of the ball to create movement and deception in the air. They are like a stealthy ninja, able to make the ball move in unexpected ways, catching the batsman off guard.
I am currently inside the nets alone trying out the different variations just taught by the coach. Inswinger, outswinger, off cutters, leg cutters etc. All the variations with different speeds. Just like the coach said. There are many combinations with just these two ways. A slower off cutter, A slower inswinger.
As I unleashed another inswinger, my body surged with energy and my mind became razor-sharp. It was as if a powerful determination awoke within me. I could see the path of the ball as if it were destiny. I could sense the spin, the flow of the air, the dust kicked up after the bounce, and the curve, all with an almost supernatural clarity. It was a moment of pure intensity.
Eureka! The mystery was finally solved. I had uncovered the reason for my struggles with line and length. It was all so clear now. My ultimate goal while bowling was to strike the middle stump, and my body had instinctively followed the perfect line and length to achieve that aim. It was a moment of pure understanding and enlightenment.
One thing I understood while bowling there swings and seams is that. I can turn the ball to the precise angle I want. I just have to think about the point I want the ball to hit and my body will follow the suit with the bowling action and perfect wrist and finger spin on the ball to make it turn just so it reaches the place I wanted it to go.
I had a revelation while bowling. I realised that I had the power to direct the ball to the exact spot I desired. All I had to do was focus on the target and my body would instinctively follow through with the proper bowling action, wrist and finger spin to make the ball turn and land exactly where I wanted it to go. It was a moment of clarity, understanding and control.
Practising alone in the nets was one thing, but when it came to facing a real batsman, simply aiming for the stumps wasn't enough. With a bat in their hand, they could easily deflect the ball. To truly succeed, I needed to create deliveries that would disrupt their stance and force them to make small mistakes. This could lead to stumping, catches, or even LBW. It was a realisation that to excel in the game, I needed to adopt a more strategic approach.
I had been foolish to think that I had to take on every player single-handedly. My role was not to overpower them, but to make them hit the ball high and short in the air. My teammates would then take care of the rest. All I needed to do was to force the batsman to move out of their crease and make them miss the ball, and they were as good as out. It was a humbling realisation that teamwork is key to success in the game.