The giant screens flashed "Strategic Time-Out", and the players walked towards their huddles. The crowd at Wankhede buzzed restlessly, half in anxiety, half in excitement.
From the commentary box, the voices filled the stadium.
Commentary:"Mumbai will look to break the rhythm of Rising Pune Supergiant with this strategic break. The wicket of Rayudu brings Krunal Pandya to the crease, so now it's two left-handers out there. Nitish Rana and Krunal Pandya, both dangerous stroke-makers, will look to reset the innings."
Steve Smith, arms folded, looked directly at Aarav. The young man nodded. He knew what that meant—this was his over, the eighth. The ball was thrown to him, its seam slightly roughened from seven overs of battle. Aarav rubbed it against his trousers, feeling the familiar comfort of leather in his hand.
He took a deep breath. Stay calm. Stay focused.
The huddle broke, fielders jogged back into positions, and the crowd rose with anticipation. Aarav marked his run-up, eyes fixed on Nitish Rana.
First Ball – To Nitish Rana
He charged in, smooth and rhythmic, delivering a length ball outside off. Rana poked at it uncertainly, and the ball kissed the edge of his bat. For a split second, Aarav thought it was carrying to the keeper—only to see it fly just wide of Dhoni's gloves and race to the third-man boundary.
The crowd erupted.
Commentary:"Bit lucky! But Rana will take those runs. Mumbai needed that boundary to release some pressure."
Aarav stopped mid-pitch, clenching his jaw. His heart sank, but he forced himself not to show it. So close. So damn close.
Second Ball – To Nitish Rana
Shaking it off, he angled the next ball wider, just outside off. Rana leaned in confidently and punched it through extra cover. Rahane sprinted, cutting it off before the rope, but the batsmen jogged a comfortable single.
Third Ball – To Krunal Pandya
Now Krunal Pandya took guard. Aarav steamed in, firing a full ball on middle and off. Krunal pressed forward, aiming for a straight drive. Instead, it took the inside edge, missing the stumps by mere inches, and trickled to fine leg for four.
The Wankhede roared again.
Commentary:"Unlucky for the bowler! Two close shaves in three balls. Mumbai won't mind it one bit, they need every run they can get."
Aarav's fists tightened. His mind replayed the image—ball grazing the pad, brushing past the stumps. A hair's width. That's all it had been.
Fourth Ball – To Krunal Pandya
He composed himself quickly. This time, he nailed the yorker length, the ball tailing in perfectly. Krunal brought his bat down just in time, meeting it cleanly. The sound of willow meeting leather was crisp but harmless. No run.
Commentary : " A very good comeback from the young man! He did not let the two close chances break his composure. This is what is required to survive and thrive in this game".
Aarav exhaled. That felt right.
Fifth Ball – To Krunal Pandya
The next one was a surprise bouncer. Short, sharp, and rearing at Krunal's chest. The left-hander swayed awkwardly, managing only to fend it off into the pitch. No run.
The crowd gasped at the venom in that ball. Aarav allowed himself a small nod. He had unsettled the batsman.
Sixth Ball – To Krunal Pandya
He set himself for the last ball of the over. Seam upright, stride perfect, release clean. The delivery pitched on off and jagged back, kissing the top of off stump height. Krunal shaped for a cut but found the ball climbing faster than expected. It went straight to point fielder—no run.
Over complete.
Mumbai Indians: 65/4 after 8 overs.
Aarav Stats : 2-0-11-1
As he walked back to fine leg, Aarav's face betrayed little, but inside he was a storm. Two near-misses in the same over—the edge past Dhoni, the inside edge past the stumps—made him grit his teeth in frustration.
This game can be cruel, he thought. Another inch either way and I could have had two wickets.
He replayed the deliveries in his mind, almost torturing himself. The sound of the ball brushing the bat, the sight of it trickling to the rope. He could feel the weight of missed chances pressing on his shoulders.
But then, as he looked around, he remembered where he was—the Wankhede, under the floodlights, bowling in the IPL, living the dream millions only wished for. His breathing steadied. His heartbeat slowed.
No, not today. I won't let frustration own me. It's just one over. I'll get another. The game always gives another chance, if you're patient enough.
The camera panned to him, and the commentators caught the look.
Commentary:"Look at that young lad Aarav Reddy—he's showing some grit here. Yes, a frustrating over for him with those near misses, but he hasn't lost his composure. That calmness will serve him well in the long format of his career."
And just like that, Aarav decided to let it go. Two chances had slipped away, but the fire inside him had only grown stronger. The next over, the next spell—he would be ready.