Bab 25: Chapter 25: Final Match
The game was about to begin. I took a deep breath as I stepped out to open with Sunil Gupta by my side. The roar of the crowd faded away as I walked towards the crease, my heart beating faster with every step. But then, a strange feeling washed over me.
My nerves melted away, replaced by a cool and collected mindset. I was ready. Ready to prove myself, to show the selectors my worth. This was my moment, my chance to shine, and I was determined to seize it with all my might.
I took the striker's end and saw Kohli positioned in the gully. I shot him a smirk and asked, "Do you really think I'll have to play here?"
Kohli replied with a smirk of his own, "Who knows. You might not want to, but our bowlers will make you play here. I know them very well."
I chuckled and replied, "Let's see about that. I'm ready for anything they've got." And with that, I thumped the bat on the ground, signaling the bowler to start his run. The excitement in the air was palpable as the game was about to get even more thrilling.
As I strode towards the center of the field, the roar of the crowd became a distant hum in my mind. I was focused, determined, and ready. The first ball was bowled, a full-pitched delivery outside off. I took a step forward, my eyes fixed on the ball, and swung my bat with all my might.
It was a beautiful shot, straight down the ground for a magnificent four. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. This was the start I needed.
I caught Kohli's eye, and he gave me a nod. "It's just the first ball," he said, a hint of a smirk on his face. But I knew, this was just the beginning. I was ready for anything the game would throw at me, and I was going to give it my all.
The next delivery was a real test, a fast and bouncy one, but I was ready. I took a step back, my eyes trained on the ball as it approached. And with a crack of the bat, I sent it soaring past the boundary for another majestic four.
The bowler was stunned, unable to comprehend the power and precision I had displayed. The crowd erupted, their cheers ringing in my ears.
I was in the zone, playing each delivery with unwavering confidence and skill. My focus was razor-sharp, and nothing could stop me. I was a force to be reckoned with, and the opposition knew it.
The third delivery was a tricky one, a yorker aimed at my toes. But I was up for the challenge. My reflexes were quick, and I dug it out with ease, sending it flying past the fine leg for another boundary. The bowler was starting to get frustrated, his face contorting in annoyance. But I was just getting started.
The over ended with me scoring a fantastic 12 runs. I was in my element, playing the game I loved, and doing it with style.
With each delivery, I demonstrated why I was considered one of the best batsmen in the tournament. The first over was only the start, and I was ready for more. The opposition was on edge, wary of what was to come next.
My confidence was growing with every run, and I was starting to show my true potential. The crowd was mesmerized by my performance, and I could sense the energy in the air.
This was my chance to show the world what I was made of, and I was going to take it with both hands.
The second over started with Sunil on strike and their ace bowler, a spinner, stepping up to the plate. Unfortunately, the first ball proved to be Sunil's downfall, and he was out, caught in deep point. But not before changing the strike, leaving the stage set for me to shine.
The second delivery was a flighted one, and I was ready. I took a confident stride forward, my eyes fixed on the ball. And with a graceful sweep shot, I sent it flying to the boundary for another breathtaking four. The bowler was trying to gain the upper hand, his eyes narrowed in determination but I was in control.
The third delivery was a quicker one, and it caught me off guard. With a hasty shot, I sent the ball in the outer circle but it got handled in hands of the mid-off fielder while I was looking at the ball after taking a single. Rahul didn't wait for my signal and ran back for two.
I tried stopping him but before he could turn back into the crease he got run out scoring only 10 runs. The crowd was stunned, their cheers turned to murmurs of disappointment.
But I refused to let this setback defeat me. The fourth delivery was a slow, loopy one, and I was determined to make up for my earlier mistake.
I calculated each movement, each shot, with precision and skill. And with a magnificent sweep shot, I sent the ball soaring over the fine leg boundary for a six. The bowler's frustration was palpable, but I was on fire, my determination unbreakable.
The final delivery was a quicker one, and I was ready. I lifted my bat, my eyes fixed on the ball, and with a mighty drive through the covers, I sent the ball racing to the boundary for another thrilling four.
As the next over began, the pressure was palpable. Our team had lost another wicket, and the opposition was relentless in their pursuit to stop me. But I was ready. I stepped up to the crease, my eyes fixed on the bowler, ready for whatever was to come.
And come it did - the spin bowler was back, and he was determined to get me out. But I was one step ahead, reading each delivery with ease and playing each shot with power and precision. The over was a tense one, each delivery met with a roar from the crowd, each shot sending shivers down their spines.
The bowler bowled the first delivery, a loopy one, and I played a confident drive through the covers.
Despite the defeat, I walked off the field with my head held high, knowing that I had given it my all. My 132 runs had not only impressed the selectors, but had also earned me the respect of the opposition.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone