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Author Thought
I'm thrilled to share that I've begun work on my new book, Tales of Dhira — a fantasy fiction novel set in the era of the Mahabharata.
This story blends mythology, imagination, and the timeless essence of heroism and destiny.
It's only the beginning of a long creative journey, and I would be truly grateful if you could read the chapters and share your thoughts.
Your feedback and encouragement will help shape Tales of Dhira into something truly special.
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The night before Match Six, the skies broke open. Rain lashed against the dorm windows, drumming like a restless heartbeat. The academy ground soaked silently under the downpour, and by midnight, puddles had formed along the boundary ropes.
But at 4:30 AM, Nikhil was awake.
He checked the sky. Still raining.
He didn't hesitate.
He jogged to the gym, shoes squeaking on wet tiles, and began his indoor drill—rotation sprints, planks, core holds. The rhythm was familiar. The rain outside didn't matter.
By 7:00 AM, the rain stopped. The clouds thinned. The ground staff rushed to clear the turf.
Match Six was still on.
Match Six – A Slippery Start
The team sheet was posted.
Team Green – Playing XI Vice-Captain: Nikhil Sharma
He was in again.
The pitch was damp but playable. The outfield was slow. The air was heavy with moisture.
Team Green won the toss and chose to bat.
Nikhil walked in at number five, trying to play fast—looking to push the tempo early. But the ball held up. His timing was off. A mistimed loft in the 12th over found deep midwicket.
Out for 14 off 11.
He didn't sulk. He didn't linger. He walked back, sat quietly, and updated his notebook:
"Match 6 – Batting Dip Lesson: Damp pitch demands patience. Fix: Practice slower tempo on sticky surfaces. Reminder: One innings doesn't define the day."
Team Green posted 198/8 in 30 overs—a fighting total, but not dominant.
Second Innings – Bowling Redemption
Nikhil was handed the ball in the 10th over. The pitch had dried slightly, but grip remained.
He bowled with control—off-spin, tight lines, subtle flight. His second over brought a breakthrough: a stumping off a slower ball.
He bowled four overs, gave away just 18 runs, and picked up two wickets.
He wasn't the match-winner.
But he was part of the grip.
Team Red faltered in the middle overs and finished at 174/9.
Team Green won by 24 runs.
Post-Match & Rest Days
Raina addressed Team Green. "Good win. Not perfect. But you held your nerve."
He glanced at Nikhil. "Bowling was tight. Batting—learn from it."
Divakar gave a short nod. "Nice Bowling."
Coach Rameshwar stepped in. "Next two days—rest. No drills. No nets. Recover."
The players exhaled. Some cheered. Plans for movies, food, and sleep began to swirl.
Nikhil returned to Room 101, opened his notebook, and wrote:
"Match 6 – Grasped, Not Owned Lesson: Form fluctuates. Focus shouldn't. Fix: Tempo control on damp tracks. Goal: Be useful, even when not flawless. Reminder: I'm not chasing perfection. I'm building consistency."
Two days off.
But his rhythm was already ticking.