The target of 145 runs felt like a meager shield against the explosive power of Sunrisers Hyderabad. The dressing room had been a mix of tense silence and sharp tactical discussions. Coach Fleming, his face grim, emphasized early wickets and tight lines. The collective weight of the playoff moment pressed down on every player.
As SRH's openers, David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, walked out, the roar from the partisan crowd was a deafening, visceral assault. Aarav, standing at fine leg, felt the familiar surge of adrenaline, but this time it was tinged with a raw, unaccustomed nervousness. This wasn't just a game; it was do or die, and every movement, every breath, felt under a thousand microscopes.
The first four overs of SRH's chase were a blur of aggression. Warner, true to form, attacked from the outset, dispatching deliveries from RP Singh and Ashok Dinda to the boundary with his characteristic ferocity. Dinda, usually fiery, found his pace being used against him, while RP Singh's left-arm swing was expertly negotiated. The scoreboard ticked rapidly, reaching 63 for no loss after 6 overs, a daunting start for SRH, making the modest total of 145 look even smaller.
It was in the 5th over that Coach Fleming made the call. "Aarav, you're on!"
Aarav jogged to the umpire, taking the ball, his hands suddenly feeling clammy. He was bowling the fifth over, then the seventh, meaning he'd have to face Warner in full flow. The immense tension palpable in the stadium, the sheer noise, the weight of a crucial playoff match – it was an entirely new beast. He found himself almost lightheaded, the ball feeling alien in his fingers.
He ran in for his first ball. His rhythm, usually so precise, felt disjointed. He aimed for a good length, but it was just a fraction too full, and Warner, sensing the slight error, latched onto it, driving it through covers for four. The roar of the crowd intensified. Aarav swallowed hard, his throat dry. The next ball, he tried to compensate, pushing too hard, and it slipped down the leg side, barely avoided by the batter, going for another four off a glance. He winced, frustration and self-reproach burning. He finished the over, bowling a couple of dot balls, but the damage was done. It yielded 15 runs, a far from ideal start for his playoff debut. He walked back to his fielding position, his shoulders tight, his mind a whirlwind of doubt.
Between overs, as he prepared for the seventh over, a steady hand gripped his shoulder. It was Ben Stokes, the usually fiery all-rounder, his face surprisingly calm. "Easy, mate," Stokes murmured, his voice cutting through the noise. "It's Warner. He hits everyone. Just stick to your plan. Breathe."
From behind the stumps, MS Dhoni's voice, calm and unwavering, reached him. "He's looking to free his arms, Aarav. Keep it tight to the body. Don't go searching for the wicket, let him make the mistake." Aarav nodded, taking a deep breath. The simple words, the steady presence of his senior teammates, began to work their magic. His nerves, which had been a tangled mess, started to calm, replaced by a focused resolve. The noise of the stadium, once overwhelming, now felt like a backdrop.
He ran in for the seventh over, Warner still on strike, looking increasingly dangerous, already on 30 runs off 19 balls. The nerves were still there, a tangible hum, but they were now an undercurrent, not an overwhelming tide. He stuck to his strengths, focusing on hitting the hard lengths, making Warner generate all the pace. The first ball was a good, quick delivery, forcing Warner to defend. Dot. The second was a well-directed bouncer that hurried the southpaw, who could only fend it away for a single. Dhawan took strike.
The third ball to Dhawan was driven, but a sharp piece of fielding from Smith at slip kept it to one. The fourth ball, and Warner was back on strike. Aarav felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. He delivered a full, swinging delivery, aiming for the blockhole. Warner's eyes lit up, he went for the full-blooded drive, but the ball jagged back slightly off the seam, catching the inside edge. The sound of timber was music to Aarav's ears. The middle stump was rattled. Clean bowled!
A roar erupted, louder and more joyous than any Aarav had heard all season. He pumped his fist, a primal scream of triumph. Warner, who had looked so dangerous, was out! 11 runs had gone in the over so far, but the crucial wicket had fallen! The relief was immense, washing over him in a physical wave. The pressure, instead of crushing him, now felt like a surge of pure energy. He had delivered. He had picked up the crucial wicket of David Warner, proving his mettle in the playoffs.
After 7 overs, with Warner gone, the score was 74 for 1. The dugout was on its feet, celebrating the breakthrough.
The momentum, for a moment, belonged to RPS. In the very next over, the 8th of the innings, Shikhar Dhawan too departed. Looking for a cover drive to pierce the field, he failed to clear the inner circle and was caught by a sharp, diving Manoj Tiwary . His 43 runs from 23 balls had been vital for SRH, but his dismissal brought two new, less set batsmen to the crease. After 8 overs, the score stood at 76 for 2.
The rest of the bowling attack, buoyed by the two quick wickets, and due to the pressure created by them was capitalized by the spin duo of Adam Zampa and Ravi Ashwin came into their own. Zampa, with his deceptive leg-spin, flighted the ball beautifully, creating doubt and picking up a crucial middle-order wicket. Ashwin, with his subtle variations, kept the batsmen guessing, his economy excellent. Ben Stokes, in his three overs of right-arm fast-medium, used his cutters and slower balls to great effect, contributing crucial dot balls and keeping the scoring rate in check. They all bowled well not letting the batsman play the shots they desired and the pitch helped too supporting the bowlers.
As the match edged towards its thrilling climax, Aarav was called back to bowl his final two overs. He returned for the 17th over. The scoreboard now read 126 for 5. The equation was tense: SRH needed 20 runs from the last 4 overs. And at the crease, were two dangerous batsmen: the experienced finisher Yuvraj Singh, capable of hitting towering sixes, and the ever-improving all-rounder Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Now let's see how Aarav copes up with the pressure of bowling the death overs that too in a crucial match at a crucial time. Will he bowl the spell the spell of his life by using pressure to thrive and forge his character or will he crumble under pressure.